Ballin' on a Budget

Without trying to be political in any way, it's somewhat safe to say that the rich seem to be getting richer and the poor seem to be getting poorer. And with the new year here, and millions trying to eat healthier, how does this correlate? Eating healthy is not easy, and it is not cheap. Though there are many rich people in this country, most of us (like me) are middle class and can't afford to spend six dollars on a bottle of fruit/vegetable juice. We can't afford to buy all organic fruits and vegetables, so how do we eat healthy? How can we improve our lifestyle without cracking our budget and without having to eat Hamburger Helper five nights a week?

Know your stuff. When you're at the grocery store, start reading and comparing labels. Choose the brand with less of the fat and sodium. If you're going to have to do box meals a couple times a week (that's okay by the way) just try to make them count. Avoid brands with tons of sodium and those with trans fat (that stuff stays in your body for a very long time). Take a few minutes to compare brands to see which one is really the better.

Go nuts. Nuts are one of the healthiest foods and if you buy them in bulk, they aren't terribly expensive. They won't go bad quickly and they are a great, healthy, satisfying snack. Treat yourself to a mix of nuts with a few chocolates in them as well. Chocolate (especially dark) is actually quite good for you in small amounts.

Fruits and veggies. Pick a few that you love and use them every way possible. Not all fruits and veggies are expensive. The doctor wasn't lying when he said "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Apples are cheap, can be bought in bulk, and used a dozen different ways. Try replacing one of those Oreo's (that's my weakness) with a fruit bowl instead every now and then.

Being healthy doesn't have to cost you thousands. Sure, if you are rich and can afford to eat entirely organic, get exfoliating facials once a week, and have a personal chef choose the right foods for you, go for it. But for the rest of us, let's start with these small changes and see where it takes us.

Check out this article Healthy eating is a privilege of the rich