It is possible to eat a healthy, balanced diet without breaking the bank! Here are some suggestions:

-Eliminate junk food. You may have to do your grocery shopping alone, since children (and sometimes spouses!) are often the ones who request the junk foods. A trip to my local supermarket showed these prices for typical junk foods and beverages:

-Case of name brand soft drinks - $5.99
-20 ounce bag of potato chips - $4.19
-Box of snack cakes - $1.99
-Package of 8 toaster-tarts $2.39 (each one contains 20 grams of sugar)
-Package of chocolate chip cookies - $3.59
-Half-gallon of ice cream - $3.99
-Box of pre-sweetened cereal - $3.19
-8 juice boxes - $2.94 (each contains 26 grams of sugar)
-1 box of 12 glazed doughnuts - $3.99

The total amount for the above items was $ 32.26

Replace the items above with:

-Water or skim milk instead of soft drinks. (You can still enjoy your favorite beverage when you go out to a sporting event, movie, etc. Just stick with the smallest size to save money AND calories! ) Children AND adults need milk or milk products every day. Milk also helps fill you up and provides needed calcium for strong bones and healthy teeth.

-Buy whole fruit instead of potato chips, cookies, doughnuts or snack cakes. One large banana equals 2 servings; 1 pound of grapes equals several servings; other fruit should be purchased in season in your area. Apples are less expensive in the fall. If you live in the south, oranges, lemons and grapefruit may be plentiful in your area, so use lots of them. Melons are usually less expensive in the summer months.

-Limit fruit juice to

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