It’s no secret that eating fruits and vegetables are good for your body, but did you know eating greens can also save you some green?
Follow these simple guidelines to impress your doctor and accountant at the same time.
Cheaper Choices
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, families who went on weight loss diets not only dropped the pounds but also reduced their food budgets. The savings came from fitness strategies like eating smaller food portions and cutting out the high calorie snacks between meals. When you can make your groceries last longer you can avoid those expensive restaurant meals that may be convenient but costly. Another way to make your money stretch at the market is to weigh your produce. For example, grocers do their best to make every 5 pound bag of apples weigh the exact same but some are bound to weigh more than others. By placing your produce on the provided scales you can ensure you are getting the best deal for your dollar.
Delayed Doctors Visits
An investment many people forget to make when they’re hungry is in their health. Destructive eating habits will inevitably lead to more doctor’s visits. In a report from the Worldwatch Institute called Overfed and Underfed: The Global Epidemic of Malnutrition experts said obese people visit their physicians 40 percent more than normal weight people. The study documented the real costs of obesity related to poor diet but did not include the other effects of poor diet including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Insurance Incentives
Companies are now offering financial encouragement to get you to eat healthy. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Jenny Craig discounts and Humana gives members a 10 percent discount on healthy food bought at Wal-Mart. For employers and insurance providers alike, keeping you healthy is a win-win. Insurance companies offer these benefits to avoid costly health procedures in the future and companies want their employees to stay healthy and productive. According to a Brigham Young University study, eating well daily may lower your risk of productivity loss by 66 percent.
Once you’ve made the switch to healthier foods it’s important to save the money you would’ve spent on junk food. Compare your new grocery budget to what you used to spend on meals and put the difference into a savings account. You will quickly see the benefits in your fitness as well as finances.