More people now than ever are becoming health-conscious. Obesity and disease is rampant throughout the nation. This has prompted some to research ways to improve their physical health so they have greater hope of avoiding such adverse conditions. Others are already in fairly good shape but perhaps have 10-20 extra pounds they’d like to lose.
The problem with many health food marketing systems is that the products and recipes always seem to be geared toward single servings or two, at the most. This excludes large portions of society where families still exist, some with five or more children. The food suggestions in many magazines and on health-related cooking shows is typically so expensive, the average family in America would never be able to afford it.
For many people, moms in particular, this leads to frustration. On one hand, there’s a desire to provide good-tasting, healthy meals for the family. On the other, it seems impossible when the ingredients of a single recipe add up to $50 or more, times however much the recipe would need to be increased to serve a large family.
Nutrition-wise, you need protein to build muscle. You also need carbohydrates for energy and fresh veggies and fruit to get the vitamins, fiber and minerals your body needs. Another crucial component of a healthy diet is water. Thankfully, the average family in this part of the world has water although evidence exists that suggests even the water supply has become contaminated in some areas.
Rather than paging through trendy cookbooks that feature five-star dining with celebrities, try to think of your health food plan on a smaller scale. There are several ways to improve your family’s diet without going broke. The following list of ideas might help:
- Unprocessed equals healthier: When you shop for groceries, try to make sure you purchase as many foods as possible that are not processed. If it comes in a vacuum-sealed package or box or airtight bag, it’s likely not a whole food product. Choosing foods in their natural states will steer you toward better health.
- Real fats are not bad: Yes, there is a healthy type of fat, which you need to consume in order to lose weight. You can find healthy fat in foods, such as real butter, not margarine or products that say, “Tastes like butter,” nuts and unprocessed olive oil.
- Proteins other than meat: Not everyone can afford grass-fed beef. It is possible, however, to get needed proteins from other healthy food sources, such as eggs, yogurt or liver. Cottage cheese is another way to add protein to your diet without feeling like you need to take out a loan to do it.
- Out of season should stay out of reach: Eating foods that are in season is typically healthier than gobbling down a bunch of out-of-season fruits that have been chemically processed or preserved in some way to be available in their off-times.
Making informed, purposeful decisions about your diet is a great way to forge a path toward a healthier future. Don’t shy away from good health because you think you can’t afford it. (Think of how expensive all the medical bills are for those in poor health conditions!)
About grass-fed beef and other organic meats and such – it never hurts to ask, meaning, you might be able to strike a deal (perhaps even barter) with a local farmer in order to bring some healthy meats to your table. You might not have the total cost up front to purchase a half a cow; however, your local farmer might accept payments or allow you to exchange work or service for beef! Think of it this way: You can’t be anymore without the beef than you already are, so there’s no harm in asking because you lose nothing if the answer is no, but gain good health if the answer is yes.
Small changes, better choices, budget-friendly options – these are stepping stones toward building a healthier you!
Writer Bio: Judy Dudich
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.