Pizza, Macaroni and Cheese, Hamburger Helper, Hot Dogs and all variety of canned Soups, these are often the hallmarks of a busy parents' dinner tables. Why? All of these foods are cheap, easy, and can be made after or during whatever unavoidable task the day throws at you. What don't all these foods have? Nutritional value. Contrary to popular belief eating healthy and efficiently does not have to be unaffordable.

There are a few simple tips that will help you on your way to healthy and affordable family meals.

Number One: Buy Bulk, Shop Smart

Before you go to the store sit down, preferably with everyone in the family, and think about what you want to eat and how healthy that food is for you and that family. Make a list of items you'll need. You can even look to the internet for quick and easy recipes versions of your favorite meals. You'd be surprised what you can make in the time it takes a pizza to arrive. When you do go shopping buy items that you use often in bulk. A good example is tomato sauce, which is in a multitude of dishes, most notably pastas, and is quite healthy for you.

Avoid buying foods simply because they are easy-all-in-one-box type meals. Generally, if all it takes is pouring the contents of a box into a pan and turning on the oven, it is not very healthy. This is not to say you have to spend three hours cooking dinner every night, but find a balance.

Another good preemptive move to lowering your grocery bill while eating healthier is to shop around, before you go shopping do a walk through at the stores in your area, get a feel for which ones have cheaper prices for what. Some stores have drastically different prices for things like meat, produce, and canned goods. Don't be afraid to visit warehouse stores like Costco. You don't have to do this every shopping trip but every few months it really does help.

Lastly, a no brainer, clip coupons, people may mock the coupon clipping mom, but you know, she has more money in her purse.

Number Two: Go Local, Go Home Grown

The majority of canned or frozen vegetables and fruits do have additives to help preserve them. This does make them less healthy, though the FDA has confirmed freezing fruits and vegetables does not affect their nutritional value. Everyone knows fresh anything taste better anyway. Start a garden and grow your own. The inexpensive method even can be loads of fun for children. If you just do not have the time to be growing (and no parent would blame you) look to farmer's markets. Farmer's Markets support your local economy and growers while providing you with the epitome of fresh. Which is something, being from Alaska I can't pass up.

Number Three: Don't get stuck in a rut

Thursdays are pork chops night; Fridays are spaghetti so on and so on. NO! A great way to make eating more fun is to maintain variety. In addition, the more foods you eat the wider range of nutrition you are obtaining. Most parents try to include all five food groups in every meal, and that's not so hard to do when you can always add salad and chopped fruit, etc. to a meal missing a few, but they often forget that just because you have all five food groups doesn't mean every food from those groups have the same nutritional components. Mix it up, have fun with it.

There are plenty of ways to make family meals more affordable and healthy, but the above are a few good steps to get you started.

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