We are living in a world in which often it becomes challenging to just try to eat healthily. The fact that organic, healthy food is just too expensive that it is often not within reach of those who have an average budget. A true worry about living an organic lifestyle is the cost. It cost more than normally grown items.
Organic foods are popular among health-conscious consumers. They are grown, harvested, and processed according to national organic standards that restrict the amounts of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. These products are marked with USDA organic(U.S. Department of Agriculture's organic) seal which indicates the same. The fact is eating organic is not only better for you but the environment as well. It costs farmers more to produce products without common pesticides, and the harvesting and handling of organic food are more time-consuming. That is one reason for the higher price of organic products. Now, people are switching to healthy food habits which is increasing their demand in the market. Organic is slowly becoming more affordable since each year there is more and more supply due to the strong demand, which is slowly bringing costs lower. With a little shopping knowhow, you can live like a foodie even in a restricted budget.
Read labels carefully
The first difficulty for any organic shopper is figuring out which products are organic. Don't just go with the word "free-range," "hormone-free" or "natural" specified on the label. These are marketing tricks used by the manufacturers. Don't confuse these terms with organic. Look for the USDA Organic label.
Focus on priority foods
Shoppers have many different reasons for choosing organic foods, including concerns about health and the environment. Buying only organic food may not be financially possible for some households. For this, families should prioritize purchases. Save your organic purchases for the particular products you care about most. Only buy what you need. Make meal plans every week and buy accordingly.
Purchase seasonal produce
Produce is cheaper and in abundance when it is in season. Produce that is out of season will be more expensive, and it wouldn't be environmentally friendly. If you want to eat more affordably, then eat with the season. Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables can allow you and your family to afford organic, healthy food even on a budget.
Shop at budget-friendly stores
Shopping at the right store is another way to save money. Look for organic shops and farmers' markets. Get to know your local farmers, create a personal relationship and negotiate prices. Their products might not be labeled or advertised as organic, but they use more natural techniques to produce them.
Extend shelf life with the proper storage
Once you have purchased your organic food, make it last with proper storage techniques. Fruits and vegetables should be separated and stored individually. Freeze your vegetables. If you want to save herbs, dry them out.
Grow your own
Food that is grown locally can be better for consumers and the environment. Try to grow your plants. It takes little effort to grow a few pots of your favorite herbs and vegetables. You can grow anywhere. Organic gardening doesn’t necessarily require a lot of space. Remember to buy non-GMO(Genetically Modified Organism) seeds. When you grow your vegetables, you know exactly what has gone into them. You can always have fresh herbs on hand. Even a small garden can reap large rewards.
Find ways to start small and incorporate just a few organic foods into your weekly meals. Eating more organic food will most likely be a gradual—not instant—change for your family. It can save you big bucks down the road in medical costs, prescription drugs, and doctor visits. "We can either pay the farmer or we can pay the hospital” – It’s totally up to us."
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