The CDC reports that only 6.8% of U.S. adults with low income are meeting the recommended intake for fruits and vegetables (CDC, 2019). This statistic is alarming, and makes us wonder – is it the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables or the simple convenience of ready-to-eat foods that are keeping adults from consuming these vital nutrients?
With a little planning, you can improve the quality of food you eat and save money at the same time. Here are some tips to make your food dollars go further so you and your family can eat healthier:
Tips for Planning Your Meals
Planning ahead not only keeps money in your pocket, it makes shopping for groceries easier. Instead of wasting gas on multiple trips to the store every week, you can get all your shopping done at once.
Once you’ve created your meal plan for the week, it’s time to head to the store. Here are some tips to follow while you’re doing your shopping:
How to Shop Smarter (and Healthier)
Following these shopping tips can only get you so far if you don’t know which healthy foods to buy. Apples, oranges, pears or other fruits are a great place to start. These can be kept on the counter in a fruit bowl to be eaten as a quick snack.
When you’re ready to start getting into cooking, try going online and searching “healthy dinner recipes.” There are countless websites that offer free recipes. Who knows… you may discover a new family favorite!
If you are having trouble getting healthy food on the table, Aging & In-Home Services offers nutrition services to adults over the age of 60. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, Just Call Us!
