January 20, 2018

Does eating healthy really cost more?

food-dollar-signNot as much as you think, according to a recently published study in the BMJ Open medical journal. Researchers combined the results of 27 studies from 10 countries and concluded that eating healthier cost only about $1.50 more per day, that’s $550 per year. So, is your health, vibrancy, happiness, wellbeing, relationships, and your family’s health worth a mere $1.50 more per day? Do you know how much the cost of ignoring your health is?

Organic 100% grass fed meats, wild caught fish, fresh fruits and vegetables cost more. This is due to the higher cost of production, lack of government subsidies, and many other reasons.  But the flavor, taste and nutritional profile is much higher quality.

Here are few simple ways to save money and live healthier…

  1. Cut back or quit smoking.  Meditate or practice deep breathing techniques instead.
  2. Quit your Starbucks coffee habit.  Eliminate only one trip and you save more than $5. You can make it at home for the fraction of the price.
  3. Energy drinks:  get your health back and you will not need to guzzle the daily $2-$5 of empty calories.
  4. Sodas: drink water instead!
  5. Sugary snacks: Do you really need them? Or is it a habit that’s costing you your health and draining your finances?
  6. Buy in bulk and save.
  7. Choose inexpensive cuts of meat. Quality and nutritional profile is more important than a fancy cut.


Facts About Fruit Juice

I think the food system in America is designed to grow fat and unhealthy kids. Girl enjoying fruit juiceThe system is loading them with the unhealthiest foods like carbohydrates and sugars, not to mention GMO foods and artificial flavorings and colorings.


The food most commonly advertised and sold targeting specifically the youngsters as a healthy food is fruit or fruit flavored juices. Take a closer look and you’ll find out that they actually are junk food!


Fruit and fruit-flavored juices are loaded with sugar, high in glycemic load, contain no fiber, and are filled with artificial flavoring and coloring. Some have hardly any fruit juice at all. Juices have minimal nutritional value except some small amounts of vitamins which you can get at higher doses from real fruits and almost all vegetables. For example, peppers, broccoli, and dark leafy greens contain more vitamin C than oranges and other juices.

Now, I’m not saying you should stop eating oranges or fruits.  All I’m saying is, fruit juice is not the health food it is advertised to be. Eat the fruit, don’t drink it!


Quick healthy tip…

Gather together frozen whole fruits and vegetables, a low carb, high protein shake powder, and almond or coconut milk and blend to make a great healthy ice cream substitute for the kids with far more nutritional benefits than any kind of fruit juice.