kellygreen

Do you have to be rich to be healthy? Do you have to eat only organic foods to be healthy? It sure seems like it these days! But ultimately, I don’t think so. Being in my late 20’s, I’ve done some grocery shopping and over the years I’ve made more of an effort to improve my family’s diet. Sure it would be nice to eat ONLY organic foods EVERY day, but the fact is I can’t afford to do so. Am I doomed? Maybe. But there are still plenty of ways to eat well on a budget.

Studies I’ve read have shown that there are some foods that are better to buy organic and some that might not be worth the higher price. As a general rule the best things to splurge on would be items your family eats frequently and delicate, thin-skinned fruits and veggies as they absorb high levels of pesticides. Things like peaches, lettuce, tomatoes, grapes, berries, spinach, potatoes, bell peppers, apples, pears, celery, nectarines and so on. When these items are conventionally grown using pesticides, the levels of pesticides in the fruit or vegetable still remain high even after being washed since the chemicals are absorbed, not just sitting on the skin. Beef, poultry and dairy products are also wise organic choices. Organic dairy and meats contain no hormones or antibiotics and are fed vegetarian diets. They are raised humanely and organic farmers make an effort to lessen their carbon footprint.

Since the prices of these organically grown goods are usually expensive, there are still ways to save. Not all fruits and vegetables are worth spending extra cash on for the sake of being organic including: pineapples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, onions, kiwi, corn, mangos or other fruits and veggies with thick skins. When it comes to buying organic, I often buy frozen organic fruits and veggies from the original list. Whole Foods has a generic brand they offer which is what I usually go for. Most major grocery stores carry name-brand organics as well as their own generic brand. As the popularity of organic grows, I see stores carrying more options and offering more deals and sales. Several companies offer discounts and coupons on their websites, so Google ‘em and see what you can find! Even still, meat is most often the most expensive organic item. In our house that’s translated to a few meatless dinners in the week. This has given us the chance to branch out and try new dishes. I’ve found a lot of exotic recipes from around the world that feature beans and other veggies for a filling, satisfying and inexpensive dinner. Truth is, cutting back on meats really won’t hurt anyone and you’ll save money in the process. Can’t go wrong with that.

For one of my family’s favorite meatless meals, check out this recipe from Ellie Krieger on foodnetwork.com:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/pasta-puttanesca-recipe/index.html

Feel free to share your money-saving grocery tips or favorite recipes! Email me: kellygreenblog@gmail.com

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