Ten Ways to Balance Your Diet and Your Budget

Print With price hikes and recession, cutting expenses has become an essential work of life. In these times of recession we are cutting costs right from our favorite brand of clothes to our favorite drinks and beverages. However do not let the price hike affect in any way your health. You can maintain a healthy balanced diet without becoming poor. Rather by using certain tips you can actually satisfy your taste buds like before, and that too in a much lesser cost!

Do you know that you can have the taste of your much loved pomegranate juice in your favorite cocktails, smoothies or other drinks by adding cranberry juice or by mixing 1 cup red grape juice and 1 teaspoon lemon juice? These substitutes are cheaper and are rich in antioxidants. Anti oxidants help your body to fight with the daily wear and tear due to pollution.

Use the technique of substitution. If a recipe demands a product that is costly then go for one that is less costly but tastes the same and is healthy too. Like, for a recipe that demands sour cream, use plain yogurt.

Buy fresh green vegetables and make your own salad at home. Buy lettuce leaves and other green vegetables, wash them and then chop them. Keep them in a zipper pack and have a healthy diet when ever you want. This practice will save those unhealthy extra bucks you always spent on the ready made salads.

Try to buy whole spices which can be stored for more than two years. Spices contain high amount of antioxidants and buy them in bulk. Keep them dry in your refrigerators for latter use.

Have popcorns as they are healthy snacks. However keep it in mind that you should not add butter to it to make it tastier as it will be harmful for health.

Switch to 100% fruit juices, and water to quench your thirst. Carbonated drinks with flashy advertisements only make your pocket lighter and your health worse. Drink healthy cold fruit juices and relish the money you are saving.

People have a conception that red meat is all bad for health. NO .Red meat provides your body with protein, vitamin B-12 and iron. When taken in the right amount they are good. Go for the lean beef cuts which are not costly. Choose those recipes that ask for them.

Switch to grains that are cooked quickly like barley, couscous and quinoa. You can also add sorghum and spelt to your diet if you want it to have more grains.

Spend some money on seeds and nuts. They contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids which is good for your heart. Even if it costs you a little more, it is a good investment.

And last but not the least, go for the rolled oats they are cheap and healthy. Experiment with it and make the kind of stuff you want to have. Add sweeteners, nuts and have a great oat meal recipe.

With all these things, you can actually live a better and healthier life like never before.