The American Heart Association is honoring National Eating Healthy Day on Nov. 7 with these "Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget."
- Plan your meals each week: You can check the nutrition facts and create a detailed grocery list; planning helps to avoid impulse shopping.
- Shop for seasonal produce: Fruits and veggies are cheaper during their peak growing seasons.
- Look for generic brands: The ingredients are usually the same as the brand names, but they're much more affordable.
- Avoid eating out: Most restaurants come with extra large portions and price tags to match. Fast foods are typically loaded with excess fat, salt and sugar.
- Eat before you shop: Cut out the impulse buys.
- Frozen vegetables and fruit: Just as satisfying and healthy as fresh; check to make sure there's no added salt or sugar.
- Limit red meat: Eat less expensive protein. Fish, like tuna, has Omega 3 fatty acids; also nuts and beans have a lot of protein, but watch your portion sizes.
- Use newspaper coupons: You'll save over the cost of the Sunday paper.
- Make your own pre-packaged snacks: Buy a large container of raisins, nuts or pretzels and divide up.
- Grow a garden: The veg will be healthy and the exercise is good for you too.
For more information, call 1-800-AHA-USA1
