After graduating college, my wife and I found jobs in back in our hometown. Many of our old friends were still around the area, and we got into our old habits of hanging out late into the night. Eventually that lifestyle started to catch up with me. I was still eating the unhealthy foods that had been a staple of my collegiate diet, and I hadn’t curtailed my drinking much either.
Everything changed when we started planning to have a family. I had never found adequate reasons to eat healthy before, always reasoning that I was in control of my own life and could do what I wanted. Suddenly, with kids to think about, I understood a new responsibility to live better. These days I’ve really cleaned up my act in every way imaginable and I’m looking forward to meeting my grandchildren some day.
Growing up, I couldn’t help but internalize the importance of a “balanced breakfast.” Cold cereal commercials were always advertising the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Still, I went to school on an empty stomach because I just couldn’t muster up an appetite before noon. My studies suffered considerably, and the trend continued until I finally took action.
I read about the importance of getting one’s metabolism going early in the day, and that the best way to do it was to eat a small breakfast. Protein bars were simple and convenient enough to eat on the go, and I suddenly found myself more energized and alert in the mornings. I know you can’t believe everything you see on TV, but I wish I would have paid more attention to those commercials as a kid.
Let’s face it, often the most inexpensive foods are junk foods and processed foods that contain tons of calories. In fact, dollar for dollar, fast food is one of the most inexpensive ways to eat. A lot of people don’t have the money to purchase organic food and organic food ingredients at the store, and this can be a real detriment to people who are trying to eat healthy or lose weight. However, there are several ways to find more affordable healthy food, and it doesn’t involve shopping around or spending hours cutting out coupons.
The truth is, salads, fruits, and vegetables are some of the healthiest foods we can eat, and often they’re quite inexpensive. But it’s important to know where to shop, and what to shop for at the right time. Instead of the super market, head to the famer’s market where the prices are often a good deal cheaper. The produce is also fresher, and isn’t saturated with preservatives or chemicals. It’s also a good idea to buy what fruits and vegetables are in season, as these are often a few dollars per pound cheaper than when out of season. This is how eating healthy on a budget can be tasty and provide a good variety of different foods.