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Affordable Ways to Eat Healthier When You're on the Go

Though there may still be a chill in the air in some parts of the country, it is officially spring. It's a great time for renewal in many aspects of life. If eating healthier has been at the forefront of your mental to-do list lately, why not opt to eat healthier for less even when you're pressed for time. Here are some ideas to do so:

1. Look for different types of produce and shop locally.

Now that the seasons have changed, the types of produce in the store are changing as well. Depending on where you live, be on the lookout for different fruits and vegetables as they become available. In-season produce is not only cheaper, but it can break you out of a meal plan rut.

2. Be strategic when shopping at farmer's markets.

If you choose to go the farmer's market route for cost-effective food when the weather permits, experiment with the best time to go. If there are fewer people, you can get in and out faster. Also, you can divide and conquer by having other family members get needed items separately.

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Sometimes if you go at the very end, you could even catch a discount. That has happened to me a few times, though there are fewer options at the end of the day.

No matter where you shop, a few minutes of prep can go a long way to help insure that you'll actually eat what you buy. Laura Fuentes, Food Network star and owner of MOMables, recommends washing produce when you bring it home from the store. "When fruits and veggies are prepped, they are more convenient to be devoured as a snack and it also makes meal prep a breeze," she says.

3. Look for organic store brands.

If farmer's markets are seasonal where you live or if shopping at your grocery store just suits you better, Fuentes points out that many of the big grocery chains are starting to team up with area farmers to create their own organic store brand. That option can be even more convenient and affordable.

4. Prepare for a snack attack when traveling.

If you tend to travel for business, it can be tricky to eat well. There's nothing like making your flight connection without a minute to spare and realizing you didn't eat. Beverly Harzog, consumer credit expert and author of "The Debt Escape Plan" says that planning ahead is key. "Whenever you travel, pack protein bars and bags of nuts in your carry-on bag. I always do this and it keeps me from buying expensive candy bars, which are my weakness when I let myself get too hungry," she says. Trader Joe snacks make it easy, as do all kinds of whole grain breakfast bars.

5. Log what you eat into a digital food diary.

Keeping track of what you eat can help you pace yourself and better dictate what you spend. It can also help you remember what a portion size should really look like. Apps like Lose It! and MyFitnessPal make it easy to track your calorie consumption.

With the Lose It! App, you can just scan products' bar codes to help you gauge the smartest choices. You can also informally see what healthier options keep you fuller longer, especially if you're traveling and find it harder to grab the best options between flights. If whatever you're eating is your only option, you can plot out a better choice later by seeing how many calories you have left to eat for the day.

6. Keep it simple.

Incorporate an easy-to-make staple to take the guesswork out of what to eat for breakfast. Abby Freedman of IPickUpPennies.net reminds us of a classic staple. "Oatmeal is incredibly cheap. It takes very little time to make and is wonderfully healthy for you. The fiber helps you feel full longer, and soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol," she says. You can even opt for steel cut options for a less processed version, although it does take a bit longer to make.

Making a conscious effort to eat healthier for less doesn't have to be hard. Use these tips to figure out how to include better choices throughout the day without spending too much.

Karen Cordaway is a teacher and writer who currently shares money saving tips on her website, MoneySavingEnthusiast.com.



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