For National Nutrition Month, here are 10 budget-friendly tips for
serving up nutritious and delicious meals
Company Website:
http://www.healthnet.com
LOS ANGELES -- (Business Wire)
March is National
Nutrition Month, and Health
Net, Inc. is sharing tips designed to help consumers serve up
nutritious meals while simultaneously stretching their dollars.
“The goal of National Nutrition Month is to help increase awareness
about the importance of making informed food choices,” said Patricia
Buss, M.D., medical and health care services operations officer for
Health Net. “Many are under the impression that healthy eating is
expensive. However, the opposite is true. Studies have shown that eating
healthy meals not only is beneficial to our bodies, but also actually
helps to save money.”
Ten Nutrition-Maximizing, Money-Saving Tips
Health Net encourages consumers to embrace these budget-friendly,
nutrition-focused tips:
- Make a list and stick to it. Studies have found that an average
60 percent to 70 percent of grocery store purchases are not on the
shopper’s original list. Not only does that mean paying more at the
cash register, but those extra items often are impulsive and
non-nutritious. Instead, before heading to the supermarket, plot out a
week’s worth of meals, along with whatever ingredients are needed.
Once at the store, steadfastly stick to the list.
- Eat before you shop. Before setting foot in the supermarket,
make sure your stomach isn’t running on empty. Studies have shown that
hungry shoppers are less discriminating and more likely to fill their
carts with nutrition-poor choices.
- Avoid processed foods. As much as possible, stay clear of
processed foods. Processed foods are those that have been altered from
their natural state, either for safety reasons or because it makes
them easier to store or use. Not all processed foods are inherently
unhealthy, but they usually are more expensive. Conversely,
unprocessed foods tend to be less expensive and more nutritious. When
you’re at the supermarket, think in terms of buying fresh ingredients
for a delicious meal versus prepackaged meals and snacks.
- Choose cheaper cuts. When you reach the meat and poultry
section, don’t shy away from less-expensive cuts, such as brisket or
chuck roast. Not only are these cuts nutrient dense, but – when
prepared using a slow-cooking method – they also can be among the most
tender and flavorful. If fish is on your grocery list, look for
“Frozen at Sea” (FAS), which means it’s been flash-frozen in as little
as three seconds onboard ship. According to the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization, thawed FAS fish is less expensive than –
and virtually indistinguishable from – fresh fish.
- Let the season be your guide. Fresh fruits and vegetables are
healthy food choices, and they usually are at their most affordable
when they are in season. Consequently, become familiar with when your
favorite produce is in season and plan menus accordingly. If you see
off-season produce, there’s a good chance it’s imported, meaning it
costs more than what’s grown closer to home.
- Be late to the farmers market. Depending on where you live,
your local farmers market may save you money during normal business
hours. However, come closing time, sellers often want to unload
whatever hasn’t sold, and shoppers often can walk away with fresh
fruits and vegetables at bargain prices.
- Don’t frown on frozen. It’s sometimes assumed that frozen
fruits and vegetables should be avoided in favor of their fresh
counterparts. In reality, though, frozen produce is nutritionally on
par – and sometimes even superior – to the fresh stuff. When opting
for frozen, experts recommend selecting vegetables without salt (or at
least low in sodium) and fruits packed in 100 percent juice rather
than syrup. In addition to the nutritional value, frozen produce – at
certain times of the year – often may be less expensive than fresh
fruits and vegetables.
- Stay on budget with staples. Some foods that are both
nutritious and perennially low priced should be seen as kitchen
staples. Items in this category include: beans, peas, lentils, sweet
potatoes, white potatoes, carrots, greens, apples, bananas, eggs,
peanut butter, canned tuna, oats, brown rice, barley and quinoa.
- Avoid snack sticker shock. Although store-bought snacks are
small in size, they can take a big bite out of your wallet – in
addition to ranking low on the nutrition scale. Instead, consider
purchasing an economy-sized tub of low-fat yogurt and dividing it into
small containers of your own. Or create homemade trail mix by
combining nuts, dried fruit and whole-grain pretzels, then storing
snack-sized portions in airtight containers.
- Make home your default dining location. While there’s nothing
wrong with dining out occasionally, the majority of your meals should
be prepared and consumed at home sweet home. In addition to being less
expensive than the dining-out option, home-cooked meals generally have
a higher nutritional quotient. Although it’s not mandatory to cook
completely from scratch, be aware that some convenience items – like
prepared sauces and precut vegetables – may come with a higher price
tag.
Health Net Members Have Access to Decision Power®
Services
Health Net members who want help or information on healthy nutrition and
fitness practices may access Health Net’s Decision Power®
program that’s designed to facilitate healthy lifestyle choices and
provide access to Decision Power® Health Coaches who can help
individuals reach their nutrition and weight-loss goals.
To access Decision Power® services, members can log on to www.healthnet.com,
select Wellness Center > Get Healthy and click on Health
Promotion Program. Members also can call the Customer Contact Center
at the number on the back of their Health Net ID card for more
information and be directed to a Health Coach.
Medical Advice Disclaimer
The information provided is not intended as medical advice or as a
substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other health provider for any questions you may have
regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider’s
instructions.
About Health Net
Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) is a publicly traded managed care
organization that delivers managed health care services through health
plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to
help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net provides and
administers health benefits to approximately 6.0 million individuals
across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the
Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”),
Medicaid, U.S. Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans
Affairs programs. Health Net also offers behavioral health, substance
abuse and employee assistance programs, managed health care products
related to prescription drugs, managed health care product coordination
for multi-region employers, and administrative services for medical
groups and self-funded benefits programs.
For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net’s
website at www.healthnet.com.
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Contacts:
Health Net, Inc.
Lori Rieger, 602-794-1415
lori.rieger@healthnet.com
www.twitter.com/hnlori
Source: Health Net, Inc.
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