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When most moms think about how food affects their budget, they look at the final total on their grocery bill. It makes sense. After all, groceries take up a considerable portion of the average family’s budget these days.
The truth is that your choices at the grocery store affect more than your grocery bills. With food providing the building blocks of your family’s health, it also impacts your medical expenses.
The Nutrient-Rich Path to Savings
Choosing nutrient-rich foods over processed, sugary alternatives can be a game-changer for your family’s well-being. Studies show that when you prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, your choices reduce your risk of costly medical bills down the road.
Why? Because the food you eat can reduce your risk of catching the common cold or developing long-term, chronic illnesses.
Low-need individuals end up being low-cost patients. If you improve your health through nutrition, your family may save a considerable amount of money when you avoid fees associated with doctors, medical tests, and prescriptions.
Being in better health means taking fewer sick days, too — both for yourself and to look after your kids. You’d be surprised to learn how much you save this way. For people who don’t get paid medical leave — about one-quarter of all Americans — a three-day absence is the equivalent of losing all the money you spend on groceries in a month.
Is Food a Perfect Solution?
Will changing your family’s diet mean you will never see a doctor again? Not quite. You can still get sick, even if you eat a well-balanced diet, and accidents can still happen. Your genes and luck still play a role in your health.
Financial advisors recommend every family saves some cash in an emergency fund, regardless of what they eat. An emergency fund can help you handle the costs of seeking urgent, unexpected medical care. This is true even if you have health insurance for the entire family. After all, deductibles and co-pays can cost a lot of money.
What if you can’t afford the co-pay or deductible involved with your care? You have other options. Visit a site like MoneyKey to learn more about how fast cash loans work — and just how fast they may arrive if approved. Fast cash loans may sub in for savings in emergencies when your family’s health is on the line.
If you have trouble comparing rates and terms on your own, toggle the on-screen accessibility widget. This application removes barriers to ensure you access important financial information when shopping for loans online.
How to Eat Healthfully on a Budget
Research shows healthy food costs more per calorie than junk food. So, making the switch to nutrition-packed veg and whole grains can come with a big upfront cost that might outweigh the long-term savings.
Luckily, eating healthy doesn’t have to put you out of pocket. Follow these tips to reduce your expenses at the grocery store:
- Go vegan for as many meals as you can — a study shows vegans spend 16% less on groceries than people who eat meat.
- Focus on densely nutritious and cheap ingredients like dried legumes, rice, and sweet potatoes.
- Buy generic brands whenever possible.
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables when they’re in season. When they’re out of season, buy them canned or frozen.
- Meal prep around deals and weekly flyers.
- Be wary of health labels like green and organic — these items are usually more expensive.
- Shop with a friend to capitalize on bulk stores without the risk of food waste.
- Use coupon and rebate apps to find extra savings at the store.
These subtle decisions can help you buy immune-boosting food without paying a fortune — at the grocery store or health clinic!
