Healthy eating doesn't have to cost a million bucks.Choose essential foods that are not pre-packaged and processed will cost less and will be healthier for you and your children.For people in low-wage jobs, or who are facing hard times or living on fixed incomes, healthy eating may seem too expensive.But according to the nutritionists, it is a false notion.

Healthy eating, in fact, is cheaper. A one year study conducted in 2000 showed that healthy items only increase the grocery bill for the first few months.As families who contributed in the study became more habitual at making improved choices, food costs actually went down.Participants were encouraged to eat plenty of foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are high in nutrients and low in fat and calories. At the end, obese children and parents finished up 5 to 8 percent less overweight than at the beginning.

Here are some tips for you for staying healthy and enjoying food without spending lots of money.
1.Keep an eye on store sales and use store coupons.Get more fresh food from low-cost stores and farmers markets.Vegetables grown locally tend to be lower in price than convenience stores.
2.Meat and prepared foods are the biggest expense on grocery bills, so try to stay clear of them and go vegan.Despite massive subsidies to the industries that produce them, dairy products and meat are some of the most expensive items on the average grocery receipt.
3.Sweet potatoes are more fiber, more nutrients and almost as inexpensive as white potatoes.
4.Frozen fruit: Though lower in fiber than fresh, the nutritional value is nearly the same.
5.Dried beans:They have high protein, high fiber and are versatile.
6.Non brand breakfast cereals: Whole-grain cereals with dried fruit will cost a fraction as much as the branded items.
7.Canned (tin) fish:Tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines are cheaper in cans than fresh. They have the same nutritional value, especially as a source of clean protein.
8.Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol is high in calories,though occasional drink is okay.
9. Gulp down plenty of water- Sometimes we don't realize that we are thirsty. We mistake thirst for hunger and eat indiscriminately.This leads to extra fat storage. Drinking water frequently not only solve the problem of overeating but also flushes out the harmful toxics.
10. Eat less Salt: excess of salt can lead to high blood pressure. Most of the salt requirement of our body is met in the food we buy, so we should keep an eye on our salt intake.
11. Skip eating out : Eat more meals at home.Preparing food by yourself not only polishes your culinary skills, it is economical too.
12. Salad: Every time I go to the store, I pick up a head of lettuce, some broccoli, celery, carrots, and grape tomatoes. Once at home,I chop up all of the ingredients, stick them in a big sealable container, and put it in the fridge. It only takes about 10 minutes, and you can get a good 3-5 good sized salads out of it.It's also easy to do a fruit salad this way.
So here you go, happy saving on food and three cheers to healthy eating!