- Week 1: Eat a variety of foods, select healthy choices when eating out, shopping with a grocery list, community food resources.
Happy #NationalNutritionMonth! National Nutrition Month was established in 1973 and offers a different focus each year. This year’s, “Beyond the Table”, encourages all of us to make informed choices in the food we eat, how it’s made, food safety, and food waste because the more we know, the easier it is to make informed choices to be the healthiest you! This month we will share money-saving tips, resources to make your day easier, and fun games. Read on!
You’ve likely heard that shopping with a grocery list is a good idea, but another tip is to take a picture of the contents of your refrigerator and pantry to refer to while shopping. That photo can serve as a reminder that you already have ingredients on hand like whole wheat pasta and a can of tomato sauce. You’re one step closer to making One Pan Spaghetti. Use the weekly sales to help make a simple and nutritious dinner for your family.
We all know that nuts are nourishing and contain healthy fats. Unfortunately, they can also be expensive. Another way to get the same benefits and save some money is to use seeds instead. Try using pumpkin or sunflower seeds as a salad topper or as part of your child’s lunch. They pack a nutritional punch rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Another way to save is to use dried beans rather than canned. A one-pound bag of dried beans is equivalent to four cans but costs the same as one. That’s a huge savings! There is so much you can do with beans. Use in a salad, make a burger, or even try adding to brownies! At this time of year, a great way to save money while grocery shopping is to go to your freezer section first. There you will find fruit and vegetables picked at the peak of their season. You only need to use exactly what you need so there is less waste.
Black Bean Salad
Another way to stretch your budget is to make sure you’re using all the resources available. If you are a parent or guardian with a child under five and/or are pregnant you can apply for the Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) program. Do you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also known as SNAP? For more information see. If you do receive SNAP, you are already enrolled in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) where you can shop for fruits and vegetables and earn money back on your SNAP benefits. To learn more about HIP and where to use it, click here.
For more watch this short video for more tips on how to eat right on a budget. And your children will love this ‘Fill in the Blank activity on healthy foods. Make sure to come back we update our blogs every couple of weeks.
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