by Katerina Nikolas

Created on: April 04, 2010   Last Updated: April 05, 2010

Many people today blame their unhealthy eating habits on the higher cost of eating fresh nutritious food rather than cheap processed food. Whilst it may be true in some of the poorer urban areas that good access to fresh food is an issue, the majority of people don’t have that excuse. Unhealthy food choices are often deliberate choices, and a family meal at a fast food chain is invariably more expensive than a home cooked nutritious meal.

Healthy inexpensive meals can be created in the home by cooking stews and casseroles, thick home made soups, or even by adding tinned fish to rice or pasta. There is no need to break the bank with meat every meat. If the thought of a few meat free days leaves you perplexed what to cook then browse through some foreign recipes on line. Much of India is vegetarian yet their foods are not bland or boring, using lots of lentils and vegetables in delicious ways.

Those who live in rural areas have a huge advantage in having not only healthy food options on their doorsteps, but often free ones. However city dwellers can spend a day in the countryside reaping the free benefits of nature too. Wild nettles and herbs can be collected and turned into easily prepared soups.

Snails are around to be collected and there are many ways to prepare them once they are gathered, but it is advisable to starve them for a day before eating them. Think of them as escargot rather than snails; they are considered a delicacy in Europe where they are particularly appreciated when cooked with garlic.

Grasshoppers and cicadas are another option which are popular in many countries and can be cooked in a variety of ways, or nibbled on raw. They are very low in fat and high in protein and often appear in abundance. Road kill offers another free option but it’s best to keep a blanket in the car to wrap road kill in, so it doesn’t mess up the upholstery.

Country roadsides are great for foraging in and offer up wild berries, a great source of antioxidants, along with rosehips. Windfall fruit is there for the gathering and even if it’s bruised it can be turned into jams, made into purees to serve with fat free yogurt, added to home made crumbles, bread and cakes. Often fruit can be incorporated into savoury dishes too. Apples go very well with pork when cooked together, apricots go with lamb, and there are many other good options for windfall fruits.

These are just some ways to eat a healthy yet inexpensive diet. Try some of these, and eliminate expensive and unnecessary unhealthy items such as sodas, packaged snacks, fast food, ready meals and processed food. Your body will benefit from these healthy options and you’ll make a hefty saving on your dollars too.

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