How to Eat Well on a Budget

I often hear that eating well is too expensive. I hear terms like "Whole Pay-Check". Eating well doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Produce

When shopping produce I try to go by the "Dirty Dozen and Clean 15". This list updated each year and shows the top 12 produce items that tend to be heavily contaminated by pesticides. These items are WORTH buying organic. You will also see the produce (the clean 15) that is often safe even if it not organic. You should feel comfortable buying the standard version of these in the store. If produce has a "peel" it is often not worth the additional cost of organic. Such as avocados and pineapples.

Animal Products

I always put my money towards quality animal products. By quality I mean free of hormones, antibiotics, and humainly raised as possible. I will always spend the extra money on organic eggs. Speaking of eggs, do not be fooled by marketing "buzz words" such as: free range, vegetarian (chickens are not vegetarians!), cage free, etc, etc. When you are selecting eggs simply look for the organic eggs. Eggs by your local farmer are preferred.