Eating fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to maintain good health. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain vitamins, phytochemicals, and minerals that can protect your body from diseases like diabetes, cancers, and heart diseases. Ideally, you should consume five kinds of vegetables and two kinds of fruits each day.
Doctors and health practitioners recommend increasing the fruit and vegetable servings at your table. But, it sometimes proves difficult on your household budget to purchase increased amounts of vegetables and fruits.
These tips can help you to fit a variety of vegetables and fruits within your existing household budget with some planning and foresight.
If you live near a farm, purchase your weekly supply of fruits and vegetables from the farmer. Alternatively, you can plan your shopping for the end of market day.
Normally, vendors prefer selling their wares at discounted prices at the end of the market day rather than taking the leftover produce back home.
Always buy the seasonal produce of fruits and vegetables. These are comparatively cheaper than out of season produce. Clementines or tiny tangerines are cheaper during Christmas while pears and apples are cheaper during the fall.
Some farms offer sale of produce through a program called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Pay the annual fee up-front to become a member of this program.
You may then receive boxes of the growing produce regularly, such as every week.
Most grocery stores offer weekly sales. Try purchasing only the fruits and vegetables available on this sale list to benefit from the discounted prices or through special rebates available on this produce. You get to enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables without it being a burden on your budget.
Another way of saving on grocery budget is to make bulk purchases. Most wholesalers offer heavy discounts if you purchase fruits and vegetables in bulk. Go shopping with a neighbor or a friend and split your purchases. You get to enjoy various fruits and vegetables at much lower prices.
Frozen fruits and vegetables are sometimes cheaper than fresh vegetables and fruits. Many are under the wrong impression that frozen fruits and vegetables are low on nutrients. The nutrient value is claimed to remain much the same in frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables.
When choosing and buying frozen fruits, it is best to go for store brands. Most stores run sales most of the time when you may get your stock of vegetables and fruits at nominal costs.
Sometimes, it may be best to get frozen fruits and vegetables if they are not grown locally and have to be shipped from great distances.
If you purchase both frozen and fresh produce, make sure that you use your fresh produce earlier than the frozen ones. Frozen ones will stay good for a much longer period than the fresh fruits and vegetables.
Another way of saving on your grocery budget is to buy fruits and vegetables and chop it yourself instead of purchasing pre-chopped vegetables.
Purchase vegetables without any seasonings like salt, butter, or sauces. It is always best to add all seasonings just before you have your meal, or according to your taste.
It therefore is not any extra burden use these tips to include more vegetables and fruits in your diet.
Just plan carefully and make your purchases accordingly to get the best out of every dollar you spend on your fruits and vegetables.
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