Tips to Eat Healthier and Cheaper

1. Eat slowly, taking a break between courses. This allows time for some digestion, and you will find yourself less hungry, rather that eating until your full (satiated) on the first course.

2. Reduce your food waste. Be mindful of how much you throw out. Does food go into the garbage after each meal? Maybe you are serving too much food.

3. Package leftovers for lunch the next day.

4. Instead of buying packaged snacks, make them at home, possibly as a family activity.

5. Have everyone serve themselves; taking less the first time and allowing go back for more if wanted.

6. Cook more root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and beets. These are less-expensive vegetables and are full of beta carotene when other produce is out of season.

7. Use re-constituted skim milk powder instead of fresh milk for recipes such as scrambled eggs, French toast, milk pudding, and smoothies.

8. Eat at least two vegetarian meals each week such as a veggie chili, black bean wrap or chickpea curry. Legumes are a bargain protein alternative to meat.

9. Buy foods in bulk. Consider going to big bargain stores for items you use heavily. Buy only what you will use. If you're not going to finish it before it goes bad, then it is not a good deal.

10. Add a salad or vegetable soup. Cut your meat portion in half, and add extra vegetables. We can all stand to get more fruit and vegetables in our diets. Meat is usually the most expensive item on most menus.

11. Cut back on cheese and eat more yogurt (from the big tubs) or drink milk.

12. Instead of buying deli meats, when cooking make extra protein for sandwiches (chicken breast, turkey or roast beef).

13. Drink tap water and eat fruit instead of drinking juice and pop.

14. Learn to cook exceptional meals, invite family and friends, and take turns in meal preparation occassionally.