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Originally published October 16 2010

A Healthy Diet does Not have to Cost a Fortune

by Amelia Bentrup

(NaturalNews) If you are like many others, you may be bemoaning the fact that as your commitment to healthy eating increases, the size of your wallet decreases. Several studies have shown that it costs less to subsist on processed foods as opposed to whole foods. However, Dr. Adam M. Bernstein and his colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston recently re-examined this finding. Their goal was to evaluate the cost of a healthy diet among women residing in the United States. Bernstein and colleagues examined the eating habits of 78,191 women who participated in a Nurse's Health Study. They used food-cost data from the USDA to evaluate the relationship between food cost and score on the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Bernstein and colleagues concluded that plant-based foods (nuts, beans and whole-grains) offer the best return on investment.

The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) was developed by researchers at Harvard University. It puts a quantitative number to qualitative eating recommendations. Poultry, whole-grains and fish have higher scores on the AHEI while processed meats and high-fat dairy have lower scores. High scores on the AHEI are associated with a decreased risk of chronic disease.

Bernstein and his researchers found that those with the highest AHEI spent on average ninety cents more per day on food. However, once the researchers divided the study participants into five groups based on amount spent, they discovered a wide range of AHEI scores amongst each spending group. In other words, it is possible to score high on the AHEI while spending less. The researchers state that although a healthier diet was associated with increased spending, dietary improvements can be made without spending more. This is accomplished largely by relying on plant based foods.

While plant based foods are certainly less expensive, are there ways to further cut costs? Loni Garrigus of Indianapolis, Indiana is able to feed her family of six on $475/month, well under the USDA's August 2010 "thrifty" eating plan for a family of that size. She shares the following tips:



Other tips for saving money on nutritious food include:


Remember that nutritional foods are an important investment into your family's health. Spending more on good food will save you in the long-run on health costs.

Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68N4Z2...

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-relea...

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/ajc...

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPl...

About the author

Amelia Bentrup is the owner and editor of http://www.my-home-remedies.com a well-researched collection of natural home remedies. Discover natural cures for a variety of ailments and find specific information and safety guidelines for various herbs, vitamins, minerals and essential oils.





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