Home > Organic > Q&As > Organic nutritionTaking the effort to buy organic products is a healthy choice, for you and the planet! But it can have an impact on your weekly grocery expenditure, which can be a disincentive to many. This is unfortunate as it means you then miss out on the nutritional benefits of eating foods that are free of chemical exposure. To make this more achievable here are a few tips on buying organic on a budget: Shop around – compare prices and look for less-expensive alternatives amongst stores. While it is important to support specialty organic stores, it's not always necessary to buy all of your favourite organic goodies there. Many major supermarkets now offer organic fare, which are competitively priced. Look out for reduced-priced items, particularly fresh organic foods, because these have to be sold quickly given they aren't artificially induced for long shelf-life. Cook up – convenience foods are more expensive than fresh home-made meals. Shopping at farmer's markets for fresh ingredients and cooking up a storm is not only rewarding, it will probably leave you with ample left-overs to enjoy the next day! Be selective – many of us are short on time, making it difficult to always achieve the above two suggestions. If your budget is tight then opting for organic snacks (such as Abundant Earth's Healthy Handfuls or Crispy Rice Bars) and only organic breakfast cereals with organic dairy produce is at least a start. Inexpensive but deliciously indulgent items such as Abundant Earth's Hot Chocolate and our range of macrobiotic seasoned sea salt will be a cheap but 'cheerful' addition to your meals. Think of it like a layering process - the more you eat organic, the more you will want to exclude other (inferior) foodstuffs! Stock up – if you spot organic foods on sale, stock up – whether it is a favourite item or something you've never tried before. Having a full pantry and fridge also stops the temptation to eat out, because you have plenty to work with. Buy in bulk – local community food co-operatives and many health food stores and delicatessens offer bulk food items. Buying pantry staples such as rice, flour, beans, nuts etc at low-cost will afford you more money to indulge in those extra special organic indulgences that you've realised you just can't do without! Shop in season – this makes sense, whether it's organic or not. Seasonal foods are always less expensive because they grow in abundance at that given time of the year. And they offer nutritional components most suitable for your body for that particular season. Sadly, because we now import so much food from interstate and overseas, we are often not in tune with what nature has designed for us. Your local green grocer and food markets are your best avenues for reasonably priced seasonal fare. Share the love! – eat with like-minded friends by getting together and having an organic feast. If you are a small family or single, buying in bulk or cooking at home is sometimes less practical, simply due to the possibility of waste. Arrange food swaps with neighbours or work colleagues. This will help minimise cooking, expose you to interesting ways in which others prepare food, open you up to new cooking ideas, and most importantly, maximise your chances of eating organically.
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