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Real Food Tips: 12 Ways to Keep it Cheap

"During this time last year our family of four was gearing up for our “100 Days of Real Food on a Budget” pledge. But once the pledge ended (in January 2011) I stopped sticking to our strict food budget of $125/week, and I often wonder how I even managed to do it. Just the other day I was reading some of my old budget blog posts, and on one shopping excursion I somehow left my favorite grocery store (Earth Fare) after only spending $67. If you want to know what I spent at Earth Fare earlier this week….well, just add about $100 – yikes! It is amazing how much more you spend when you don’t have a specific budget in place to help you keep it cheap. The scary thing is though, I sort of was “trying” not to spend a lot the other day. Now my effort didn’t go beyond a conscious thought in my head, but I should know by now that just thinking about being on a budget never really works. :)

As some of you know, my husband and I were fortunate enough to go on a very adventurous – and expensive! – trip to Asia earlier this month. So, for us, there is no better time than now to get back on the food budget bandwagon. I won’t be doing another official budget “pledge,” but since I’ve already proved this could be done I don’t really have any good excuses to convince my husband to let me off the hook (darn!). So for all of us – me included – here are some budget tips that I could never be reminded of enough. And if you have any advice I left out please share in the comments below…

Set a specific budget. This tip may sound basic, but as I just said simply thinking about “not spending a lot of money” DOES NOT work! Here’s how to structure a budget…
- Pick a realistic budget amount that you will adhere to each week or month. I personally think a weekly budget is easier to follow because you can’t go too far over budget before you realize you are in trouble.
- Consider using cash in an envelope so going “over budget” isn’t even possible. (For those who’ve heard of Dave Ramsey, yes, we’ve both read his book!) Also, no matter what, make a commitment that if you do for some reason go over budget you will deduct that amount from the following week or month.
- Define what will and will not be included in the budget. Will it just be for food or for household items too? What about alcohol, entertaining, and going out to eat?
- Keep track of all your expenses on paper whether you use cash or not. It is important to see where your money goes.
- Share and discuss the running budget total with the other adults in your household…accountability is what it’s all about!
Be organized and plan out your meals for the week. Last minute purchases that you haven’t put a lot of thought into can add up fast.
Minimize waste by saving all uneaten food instead of throwing anything away.
Know and use what you have on hand especially if it’s perishable. Even consider keeping an inventory list of food on your fridge or freezer so different family members can check off items as they use them. I know my husband is more likely to eat something in the fridge if I leave a note telling him it is there (don’t ask me why)!
Make substitutions in recipes to reduce how many things you have to buy…or even leave out a small ingredient all together.
Maximize “cheap” foods like bananas, beans, and pasta. Here are some of our favorite super cheap recipes:
When making inexpensive meals like soups and pasta dishes double the recipe and freeze the leftovers for when you have one of those days where you just don’t have time to plan out a good dinner.
Make sacrifices like drinking water instead of milk and skipping juice and other flavored beverages all together. If you really have trouble kicking the juice habit at least water it down a little so the juice lasts longer.
Reduce your consumption of meat and desserts. Meat can be a big-ticket item and while dessert is certainly a “nice to have” it is by no means a regular necessity (sorry)! Also experiment with “stretching” your meat dishes by mixing in veggies and/or beans.
Buy produce that’s in-season and if you like to frequent your local farmers’ market try going just before closing time to get some great deals on items the vendors won’t want to haul back to the farm.
If you can’t afford the organic version of everything consult the dirty dozen list.
Check your receipt after you get home to make sure your money was spent wisely (most grocery stores accept returns and I’ve been known to take stuff back on occasion!)".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-tips-12-ways-to-keep-it-cheap/

Calzone

Filled with mushrooms, spinach and melted mozzarella

“This cracking calzone recipe makes a clever portable lunch and is great for using up leftover veg ”
Serves 4
Cooks In1H 30M
Difficulty Not too tricky
Bread, Party food, Vegetarian, Italian

Nutrition per serving
Calories 1301 65%
Fat 31.5g 45%
Saturates 9.1g 46%
Protein 30.4g 68%
Carbs 118.0g 45%
Sugars 5.4g 6%

Of an adult's reference intake

Ingredients
1 quickest tomato sauce (Molho de tomate: http://oishii-ideias.blogspot.pt/2015/06/o-meu-molho-de-tomate.html)
300 g spinach leaves, washed and spun dry
2 x 125 g good-quality mozzarella pieces, torn into pieces
Massa de pizza rápida: http://oishii-ideias.blogspot.pt/2010/06/massa-rapida-de-pizza.html

Method
First, make your quickest tomato sauce to the pan and stir. Cook for a few minutes, then add the spinach (in batches if you need to) and stir again. Simmer away the liquid until you’re left with a thick, tasty mixture that’s not too moist (otherwise it will burst through the dough when you’re cooking the calzone).
Divide the mushroom and spinach mixture evenly between the four pizza bases and spread it out nicely. Top with pieces of mozzarella and season with salt and pepper. To make your calzone, carefully lift the far edge of the pizza dough and pull it over the top towards you – you basically need to fold it in half (imagine it looking like a big Cornish pasty!). Crimp the edges so none of the filling can spill out. Place the calzone side by side on a floured baking tray (use two if you need to), pizza stone or granite slab.
Cook for 10 to 15 minutes on the bottom of the preheated oven until the dough is puffed up and golden on top and the filling is hot."

Fonte e imagem: //www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/calzone/#iGAPuPSKpSiK4HVu.99

20 tips to eat well for less

"Can you eat healthily and save money? You bet your bottom dollar you can! Here are 20 tips to help you have your (low-fat) cake and eat it.

If cost is discouraging you from trying to make changes to you and your family’s diet then read on: healthy eating doesn’t have to cost more.

The NHS Choices Eat4Cheap challenge aims to show you how, equipped with a few simple money-saving tips, you can eat a healthy diet and still save money.

Write a shopping list

Draw up a weekly meal plan, incorporating ingredients you already have, write a shopping list and stick to it. Don't be swayed by impulse purchases or special offers, just buy what you need. Try not to shop when hungry. Studies show that people who shop when hungry are more likely to spend more, especially on less healthy foods, such as high-fat and sugary snacks.

Waste nothing

The average family with children throws away almost £60 of good food every month, according to Love Food Hate Waste (LFHW). Be strict about buying only what you'll actually eat. Plan your meals so that all ingredients on your list get used and that includes fresh herbs like basil or parsley. If necessary, freeze any unused food. Freezer bags and food storage boxes will come in handy.

Eat leftovers for lunch

Cooking extra portions for your evening meal so that you can have the leftovers for lunch the next day saves time and money, and can be a healthier option than the traditional "mayo-laden sandwich, crisps and soft drink desk-lunch" option. Any extra portions can be frozen for another day. Eventually, you'll have a freezer full of homemade ready meals on tap. Find out how to use leftovers safely.

Buy frozen

Frozen fruit and vegetables are underrated. They come pre-chopped and ready to use, are just as good for you (try to avoid those with added salt, sugar or fat), and are often cheaper than fresh varieties. Frozen vegetables are picked at the peak of freshness and then frozen to seal in their nutrients. Get tips on freezing and defrosting.

Trade down

You could cut 30% off your shopping bill by buying cheaper brands than you normally do, according to Money Saving Expert – that’s a potential saving of over £1,500 a year on a family's £100 weekly shop. Give it a go and let your taste buds be the judge, not the shiny label. Find out how food labels can help you make healthier choices.

Veggie might

Meat and fish are typically the most expensive food ingredients on a shopping list. How about adding vegetables to meat dishes such as casseroles to make your meals go further? Or try a few vegetarian meals during the week to keep costs down? Make it fun by joining the thousands of people who regularly take part in the meat-free Monday movement.

Cook with pulses

Pulses, such as beans, lentils and peas, are some of the cheapest foods on the supermarket shelf. These pulses are low in calories and fat but packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals and also count towards your 5 A DAY. Use them in dishes to replace some of the chicken or meat, such as a chilli con carne with kidney beans or a chicken curry with chickpeas.

Freeze leftover bread

Bread is the most wasted household food according to LFHW. Reduce waste by freezing bread, preferably in portions (for convenience) and when it’s at its freshest (for taste). For best results, store bread in an airtight container (such as a freezer bag) and gently squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to avoid freezer burn.

Know your kitchen

Know what’s in your kitchen store cupboard, fridge and freezer. You may find you’ve got enough ingredients to make a meal! Plan your week's meals to include ingredients you've already got in and avoid buying items you already have. Check use-by dates to make sure you use up ingredents before they go off.

Buy cheaper cuts

If you're prepared to take a little more time with your cooking, buying cheaper cuts of meat is a great way to save. Choosing a cheaper cut of meat, such as braising steak, shin or shoulder, doesn’t mean missing out on a tasty meal. Slow cooking gradually breaks down the fibres in cheaper cuts, giving great taste at a lower cost.

Look up cheap recipes

Cheap doesn't have to mean less tasty. There are plenty of websites offering recipes for cheap eats and leftover ingredients. Check out Change4Life's meal mixer and our Healthy recipes section for some inspiration.

Eat smaller portions

Try eating smaller portions by saying no to a second helping or using smaller plates. You’ll have more left over for lunch the next day and your waistline may benefit, too! Try weighing or measuring out staples such as pasta and rice when cooking to stay in control of portion size and reduce waste.

Cook from scratch

One in every six meals is eaten out of the home, according to a Public Health England study (PDF, 776kb). Of particular concern are hot food takeaways, which tend to be high in fat and salt, and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables. Cutting back on takeaways could save you up to £800 a year and inches off your waist! Preparing and cooking your own meals is generally cheaper than buying a takeaway or a ready meal, and because it’s easier to control what goes in to your dish, it can be healthier.

Buy chicken whole

The cheapest way to buy chicken is to buy a whole chicken. It's often more expensive to buy two pre-cut chicken breasts than a whole chicken. From a whole chicken, you'll get two breasts, two thighs, two drumsticks, plus a carcass and wings for making stock. Consider the deli counter for cheese and cured meats. You can get exact amounts, which is cheaper and less wasteful.

Price-check pre-packaged produce

Fruit and vegetables sometimes cost more pre-packaged than loose. Check the price per weight (for example £/kg). Stores know that consumers want to buy in bulk, and so they mix it up: sometimes the packaged produce is cheaper, sometimes it’s more expensive. Also, pre-packaged isn’t always the freshest and you may end up with more than you need.

Cut down on luxuries

If your regular shopping basket tends to include fizzy drinks, crisps, snack bars, biscuits and cakes, try trimming down on these non-essential items. Many of these are high in sugar and fat so you'll be doing your waistline as well as your bottom line a favour. They can also contain a lot of salt. Think about cheaper and healthier alternatives – such as sparkling water and fruit juice instead of cola, or fruit and plain yoghurt.

Beware of BOGOF offers

Special discounts such as buy-one-get-one-free (BOGOF) deals can offer good value, but be careful: only buy items you actually need and are likely to keep and use – tinned or frozen fruit and veg or rice and pasta are a good example. Markdowns on perishables at the end of the shopping day are another way to bag a saving – but make sure the item gets used before the use-by-date and doesn’t go off sooner than expected.

Toddlers eat the same

If you've got a toddler in tow, get him or her used to eating the same meals as you instead of relying on costly pre-prepared toddler food. Simply blend or chop up their portion to suit their age and freeze extra child-sized portions for later. Make sure not to add any salt to their portions and be careful with spicy food.

Shop online

Price comparison websites, such as mysupermarket.com, let you select a basket of products and then choose the cheapest supplier. The price differences can be significant. Unlike going to the shops yourself, you'll know how much you've spent before going to the till, which can make it easier to stay within budget.

Shop during the ‘happy hour’

Most supermarkets discount fresh items towards the end of the day. However, with longer opening hours it's a case of finding out just the right time to grab those bargains. Time it right and the "reduced to clear shelves" can save you big money. Always check use-by dates."

Fonte e imagens: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/eat4cheap/Pages/cheap-food-shopping.aspx

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality - By Rebecca Pratt, SparkPeople Contributor

"When you’re on a tight budget, the thought of preparing tasty, healthy meals on a regular basis can seem daunting. Not only is it easy to get sucked in by grocery merchandising tricks, but it’s also normal for most of us to fall into a mealtime rut, eating the same foods over and over. But you’re in control of your kitchen—and if you cook smart, you can enjoy the first-class meals you deserve.

You can save money and still have quality. If you’ve been using cost as an excuse to eat junk, you can kiss that excuse goodbye! With a little organization and creativity, you can have the proverbial champagne when cooking on a beer budget. To start, here’s a quick review of basic tips of healthy eating:

Limit your intake of junk food and alcohol
Drink lots of water (at least 8 cups a day)
Limit salty and sugary foods
Avoid eating many foods that are high in saturated fats
Make “variety” the watchword of your eating

Next, set aside regular blocks of time for planning meals, making your grocery list, and shopping—tasks that are most often shortchanged in food prep. Include healthy snack ideas, as well as main menu items. Think about the time of day, day of week, and even week in the month that you shop. Generally, the grocery is the least busy early in the morning, in the middle of the week, and on any day but the first day or two of the month (when many people receive pension or paychecks).

Don’t be afraid to surf the internet for recipes that use specific ingredients (plug the ingredient in as a keyword of your search), since you can often get good buys on breads, meats, and other items marked for quick sale before they go bad.

Stock your fridge and cupboards with items that are quick and easy to cook (yet kind to your wallet):

Beans and lentils, whether canned or dried, make nutritious, hearty soups, and can be a main course with the addition of fresh vegetables or rice.
Brown Rice is a great addition to leftover meat and veggies. Although brown rice is slightly more expensive than white, the nutritional payoff is well worth it. Another inexpensive, easy-to-fix grain, millet, is best when bought fresh. Simply rinse and toast before using it in recipes.
Pasta, likewise, is quick and easy to prepare, and can be paired with veggies, meat, or a fresh salad. Have fun adding your own embellishments (mushrooms, spices, and herbs.) Choose whole-wheat pasta whenever available.
Soups can’t be beat for nutrition and convenience, especially since you can use canned or packet soups as your base, then add your own veggies and leftover meat. Again, try to experiment, adding your own herbs and spices.
Fresh vegetables and fruit should be bought at least once or twice each week, preferably in season, to ensure optimal taste and nutrition. You can also rely on canned/frozen varieties as handy additions to last-minute meals. Veggies make great stir-fries and vegetable patties, while fruit is good for a quick nutritious snack.
Meat and fish can be kept on hand also for last-minute meals— try the newer tuna and salmon pouches, and shop for inexpensive cuts of meat that work well in stews and casseroles.
Condiments add flavor and interest to your dishes. Keep a selection of dried herbs, spices, curry powder, marinades, vinegars, tomato and soy sauces, along with stock cubes, in your cupboard. Experiment with the new, such as Japanese miso, an aged salty condiment made from soybeans and various other ingredients (found in the natural foods section, usually refrigerated).

Finally, a few more hints that can help you save a little green:

When cooking a big meal, make extra to freeze, or use later in the week for lunches or quick suppers. Double recipes, then freeze half.
Save your vegetable trimmings to make your own vegetable stock. Not only do you save money, but vegetable stock also makes a nutritious base for casseroles, soups, and Crockpot cooking.
Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper; you can freeze perishable items (such as meat, milk, and even bread) in smaller portions to use as needed. It’s always a good idea to buy non-perishable items in bulk (canned foods, dried beans and grains, etc.).
Use less expensive cuts of meat for casseroles that you slow cook; add extra vegetables and beans to make the meal go further.
Capitalize on one-pot dishes, which generally save prep time, money, and dishwashing, and often make great leftovers.
Look high and low (literally) to find the less expensive generic or store brands on grocery shelves, often very similar to higher-priced brand names though packaged under different labels. Stores deliberately place the highest-priced brand-name items at eye level, but if you compare the cost per unit, you’ll be able to figure out the most cost-effective purchase. You can even try your own taste tests— blind, of course— to see where you can save money without sacrificing flavor.
Take advantage of specials on staples—broth, soups, pasta, rice, canned veggies, even bread and meat. Many of these items have a long shelf life or can be frozen for short periods of time.
Limit your dining out, especially when it comes to fast food, since you’ll find yourself spending unnecessarily on items that are high in fat, salt, and calories, which short-change you in the nutrition department.

There’s no magic formula to cooking on a budget. Like anything else worthwhile in life, it takes a little planning, creativity, and work. But if you think of the rewards—better health and more money—you’ll find it’s worth the effort. No doubt you’ll still have days when you fall back on that quick-fix packaged food or the local burger drive-thru. But if you look at cooking as an adventure, you’ll also have days when you find yourself pleased at what you’ve accomplished—as you serve dinner to rave reviews from family and friends!"
Fonte e imagem: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=511

Massa com amendoins e sementes de sésamo

Ingredientes

2 chávenas de esparguete integral cozido.
1 colher de sopa de óleo de sésamo
3 colheres de sopa de manteiga de amendoim
1 colher de sopa de gengibre picado finamente
piri-piri moído a gosto (aproximadamente 1 colher de café)
3 colheres de sopa de água quente
1 dente de alho picado
2 colheres de sopa de molho de soja
1 colher de sopa de vinagre de vinho tinto
1 colher de sopa de sementes de sésamo tostadas.

Instruções

1. Cozer o esparguete de acordo com as instruções da embalagem.
2. Combine todos os outros ingredientes e misture, até a manteiga de amendoim estar dissolvida.
3. Adicione o molho à massa cozida, misture bem.
4. Polvilhe com sementes de sésamo tostadas.
5. Decore com folhas de manjericão e amendoim.

Serve quatro pessoas.

Fonte: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=112

Lasanha de Bacalhau com Espinafres

Valor energético	516 Kcal
Proteínas	34 g
Hidratos de carbono	66 g
Lípidos	12 g




Número de Doses	10 Doses
Preço por refeição	1,20 €




Dificuldade	MÉDIA
Tempo de Preparação	MÉDIA

Preparação
Demolhar bacalhau pelo menos 12h;
Descascar alho, cebola e cenoura;
Picar alho e pimentos, cortar meias luas de cebola
e ralar cenoura;
Refogar em azeite a cebola, alho, cenoura, pimentos, louro;
Acrescentar migas de bacalhau e envolver;
Colocar os espinafres;
Adicionar a farinha e o creme vegetal;
Juntar o leixe e mexer bem para envolver tudo;
Temperar com noz moscada e sal;
Deixar cozer;
Ferver a água e cozer a massa lasanha;
Depois de cozida arrefecer em água fria;
Colocar a massa num tabuleiro e depois o preparado
do bacalhau;
Depois massa e assim por camadas até encher o tabuleiro;
Colocar queijo ralado no final;
Levar a forno médio para gratinar e acabar de confeccionar.

Qtd	Produto	Preço Unid.	Custo*

0,75 Kg	BACALHAU MIGAS (salgadas)	9,00 €	6,75 €
0,2 Kg	CEBOLA	0,30 €	0,06 €
0,005 Kg	ALHO	2,50 €	0,01 €
0,015 L	AZEITE	2,75 €	0,04 €
0,1 Kg	PIMENTO VERDE	1,00 €	0,10 €
0,001 Kg	LOURO	11,00 €	0,01 €
0,75 Kg	ESPINAFRES (congelados)	2,00 €	1,50 €
0,06 Kg	FARINHA	0,34 €	0,02 €
1,2 L	LEITE MEIO GORDO	0,44 €	0,53 €
0,001 Kg	NOZ MOSCADA	30,00 €	0,03 €
0,75 Kg	MASSA LASANHA	3,00 €	2,25 €
0,1 Kg	QUEIJO RALADO	6,00 €	0,60 €
0,04 Kg	MARGARINA	1,25 €	0,05 €
0,005 Kg	SAL GROSSO	0,15 €	0,00 €

Custo 11,95 €
* Custos meramente indicativos.
0,00 € = abaixo de 0,009 €.
Fonte e imagem:
http://www.programa100porcento.com/receitas.aspx?id=8&cat=3

Lacinhos com atum

Valor energético	559 Kcal
Proteínas	39 g
Hidratos de carbono	56 g
Lípidos	19 g




Número de Doses	10 Doses
Preço por refeição	1,11 €




Dificuldade	FÁCIL
Tempo de Preparação	RÁPIDA

Preparação
Escorrer o atum;
Lavar e picar os pimentos;
Descascar e picar cebola e alho;
Refogar em azeite a cebola, alho, pimentos;
Acrescentar o tomate;
Juntar o atum e envolver bem;
Juntar as natas e temperar com sal e oregãos;
Ferver água e cozer os lacinhos com sal;
Envolver a massa no preparado de atum.

Qtd	Produto	Preço Unid.	Custo*

1,2 kg	ATUM (enlatado)	8,00 €	9,60 €
0,2 Kg	CEBOLA	0,30 €	0,06 €
0,15 Kg	PIMENTO VERDE	1,00 €	0,15 €
0,15 Kg	PIMENTO VERMELHO	1,00 €	0,15 €
0,005 Kg	ALHO	2,50 €	0,01 €
0,1 Kg	TOMATE CUBOS	2,00 €	0,2 €
0,002 Kg	OREGÃOS	30,00 €	0,06 €
0,005 Kg	SAL GROSSO	0,15 €	0,00 €
0,75 Kg	MASSA LACINHOS	0,70 €	0,52 €

0,01 L	AZEITE	2,75 €	0,02 €
0,2 L	NATAS	1,80 €	0,36 €

Custo 11,13 €
* Custos meramente indicativos.
0,00 € = abaixo de 0,009 €.

Fonte e imagem:

http://www.programa100porcento.com/receitas.aspx?id=14&cat=3

Pirâmide dos Alimentos Anti-Inflamatórios

"HEALTHY SWEETS
How much: Sparingly
Healthy choices: Unsweetened dried fruit, dark chocolate, fruit sorbet
Why: Dark chocolate provides polyphenols with antioxidant activity. Choose dark chocolate with at least 70 percent pure cocoa and have an ounce a few times a week. Fruit sorbet is a better option than other frozen desserts.

RED WINE
How much: Optional, no more than 1-2 glasses per day
Healthy choices: Organic red wine
Why: Red wine has beneficial antioxidant activity. Limit intake to no more than 1-2 servings per day. If you do not drink alcohol, do not start.

SUPPLEMENTS
How much: Daily
Healthy choices: High quality multivitamin/multimineral that includes key antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, mixed carotenoids, and selenium); co-enzyme Q10; 2-3 grams of a molecularly distilled fish oil; 2,000 IU of vitamin D3
Why: Supplements help fill any gaps in your diet when you are unable to get your daily requirement of micronutrients.
Click here to learn more about supplements and get your free recommendation.

TEA
How much: 2-4 cups per day
Healthy choices: White, green, oolong teas
Why: Tea is rich in catechins, antioxidant compounds that reduce inflammation. Purchase high-quality tea and learn how to correctly brew it for maximum taste and health benefits.

HEALTHY HERBS & SPICES
How much: Unlimited amounts
Healthy choices: Turmeric, curry powder (which contains turmeric), ginger and garlic (dried and fresh), chili peppers, basil, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme
Why: Use these herbs and spices generously to season foods. Turmeric and ginger are powerful, natural anti-inflammatory agents.

OTHER SOURCES OF PROTEIN
How much: 1-2 servings a week (one portion is equal to 1 ounce of cheese, 1 eight-ounce serving of dairy, 1 egg, 3 ounces cooked poultry or skinless meat)
Healthy choices: High quality natural cheese and yogurt, omega-3 enriched eggs, skinless poultry, grass-fed lean meats
Why: In general, try to reduce consumption of animal foods. If you eat chicken, choose organic, cage-free chicken and remove the skin and associated fat. Use organic, reduced-fat dairy products moderately, especially yogurt and natural cheeses such as Emmental (Swiss), Jarlsberg and true Parmesan. If you eat eggs, choose omega-3 enriched eggs (made by feeding hens a flax-meal-enriched diet), or organic eggs from free-range chickens.

COOKED ASIAN MUSHROOMS
How much: Unlimited amounts
Healthy choices: Shiitake, enokidake, maitake, oyster mushrooms (and wild mushrooms if available)
Why: These mushrooms contain compounds that enhance immune function. Never eat mushrooms raw, and minimize consumption of common commercial button mushrooms (including crimini and portobello).

WHOLE SOY FOODS
How much: 1-2 servings per day (one serving is equal to ½ cup tofu or tempeh, 1 cup soymilk, ½ cup cooked edamame, 1 ounce of soynuts)
Healthy choices: Tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy nuts, soymilk
Why: Soy foods contain isoflavones that have antioxidant activity and are protective against cancer. Choose whole soy foods over fractionated foods like isolated soy protein powders and imitation meats made with soy isolate.

FISH & SEAFOOD
How much: 2-6 servings per week (one serving is equal to 4 ounces of fish or seafood)
Healthy choices: Wild Alaskan salmon (especially sockeye), herring, sardines, and black cod (sablefish)
Why: These fish are rich in omega-3 fats, which are strongly anti-inflammatory. If you choose not to eat fish, take a molecularly distilled fish oil supplement that provides both EPA and DHA in a dose of 2-3 grams per day.

HEALTHY FATS
How much: 5-7 servings per day (one serving is equal to 1 teaspoon of oil, 2 walnuts, 1 tablespoon of flaxseed, 1 ounce of avocado)
Healthy choices: For cooking, use extra virgin olive oil and expeller-pressed organic canola oil. Other sources of healthy fats include nuts (especially walnuts), avocados, and seeds - including hemp seeds and freshly ground flaxseed. Omega-3 fats are also found in cold water fish, omega-3 enriched eggs, and whole soy foods. Organic, expeller pressed, high-oleic sunflower or safflower oils may also be used, as well as walnut and hazelnut oils in salads and dark roasted sesame oil as a flavoring for soups and stir-fries
Why: Healthy fats are those rich in either monounsaturated or omega-3 fats. Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols with antioxidant activity and canola oil contains a small fraction of omega-3 fatty acids.

WHOLE & CRACKED GRAINS
How much: 3-5 servings a day (one serving is equal to about ½ cup cooked grains)
Healthy choices: Brown rice, basmati rice, wild rice, buckwheat, groats, barley, quinoa, steel-cut oats
Why: Whole grains digest slowly, reducing frequency of spikes in blood sugar that promote inflammation. "Whole grains" means grains that are intact or in a few large pieces, not whole wheat bread or other products made from flour.

PASTA (al dente)
How much: 2-3 servings per week (one serving is equal to about ½ cup cooked pasta)
Healthy choices: Organic pasta, rice noodles, bean thread noodles, and part whole wheat and buckwheat noodles like Japanese udon and soba
Why: Pasta cooked al dente (when it has "tooth" to it) has a lower glycemic index than fully-cooked pasta. Low-glycemic-load carbohydrates should be the bulk of your carbohydrate intake to help minimize spikes in blood glucose levels.

BEANS & LEGUMES
How much: 1-2 servings per day (one serving is equal to ½ cup cooked beans or legumes)
Healthy choices: Beans like Anasazi, adzuki and black, as well as chickpeas, black-eyed peas and lentils
Why: Beans are rich in folic acid, magnesium, potassium and soluble fiber. They are a low-glycemic-load food. Eat them well-cooked either whole or pureed into spreads like hummus.

VEGETABLES
How much: 4-5 servings per day minimum (one serving is equal to 2 cups salad greens, ½ cup vegetables cooked, raw or juiced)
Healthy Choices: Lightly cooked dark leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, Swiss chard), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy and cauliflower), carrots, beets, onions, peas, squashes, sea vegetables and washed raw salad greens
Why: Vegetables are rich in flavonoids and carotenoids with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Go for a wide range of colors, eat them both raw and cooked, and choose organic when possible.

FRUITS
How much: 3-4 servings per day (one serving is equal to 1 medium size piece of fruit, ½ cup chopped fruit, ¼ cup of dried fruit)
Healthy choices: Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, oranges, pink grapefruit, red grapes, plums, pomegranates, blackberries, cherries, apples, and pears - all lower in glycemic load than most tropical fruits
Why: Fruits are rich in flavonoids and carotenoids with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Go for a wide range of colors, choose fruit that is fresh in season or frozen, and buy organic when possible.

Additional Item:

WATER
How much: Throughout the day
Healthy choices: Drink pure water, or drinks that are mostly water (tea, very diluted fruit juice, sparkling water with lemon) throughout the day.
Why: Water is vital for overall functioning of the body."

Fonte e imagem:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/pyramid/press-foodpyramid.html

Alimentação Económica

Nova Roda dos Alimentos

"Como se alimentar de forma saudável durante a crise financeira

É possível seguir algumas directrizes e continuar a comprar alimentos saudáveis, ao invés de passar, devido à crise, para uma dieta de batatas fritas, queijo e massas, ou hambúrguer e cachorro quente.

Faça o seu próprio café em casa, compre fruta e legumes da estação, e ocasionalmente, substitua a carne por fontes de proteínas alternativas, como ovos e feijão, e, mesmo que pareça uma solução fácil, barata e muito tentadora, mantenha-se afastado das cadeias de Fast-Food. A fotografia bonita não compensa a falta de nutrição.

“Os tempos de crise financeira, como a que atravessamos de momento devido ao preço do petróleo, não significa que tenhamos de nos alimentar de forma pouco saudável”, diz Aleitor Mendes, um conhecido nutricionista de São Paulo, Brasil. “Ao planear com tempo, comprar nas feiras e mercados e aproveitar os produtos de marca própria dos hipermercados podemos poupar muito dinheiro e ao mesmo tempo fornecer alimentos ricos e saudáveis para toda a família.”

Fruta e Vegetais

“Comprar alimentos frescos é demasiado caro”. Errado. De facto, comprar fruta e legumes da estação é bastante económico. Aproveite para comprar alguns alimentos em maior quantidade, poderá também poupar sobre o “desconto de quantidade”

Se não estiverem na estação, poderá adquirir fruta ou legumes enlatados a preços muito acessíveis. Aproveite e confira as marcas próprias dos hipermercados, já que a qualidade é assegurada e a preços muito inferiores. Estes alimentos são enlatados ainda muito frescos, pelo que a qualidade nutricional se mantém praticamente na íntegra.

Uma das melhores formas de conseguir vegetais e frutos frescos é cultivá-los você mesmo, caso possua um quintal ou um pequeno jardim com espaço suficiente para o fazer. Caso não tenha espaço, poderá sempre plantar ervas frescas num vaso dentro de casa.

Proteínas

Conseguir proteínas pode ser algo complicado com um orçamento reduzido. Filet mignon, bife do lombo ou lagosta fresca é apenas uma miragem para carteiras apertadas, mas poderá ainda encontrar boas peças de carne a preços baixos.

Em primeiro lugar, é preferível comprar peças de carne “não preparadas”. Poderá marinar ou rechear a carne você mesmo, não precisa que o talho ou loja faça isso e cobre pelo serviço. Poupa dinheiro, e poderá ter um maior controlo sobre o teor nutricional e o nível de sal dos temperos. Comprar galinha inteira com os ossos custa bastante menos, e poderá retirá-los facilmente para preparar uns saborosos peitos de galinha. As carnes menos nobres da vaca ou do porco são bastante mais baratas, contudo, apresentam muitas vezes uma rigidez ou gorduras que se podem tornar bastantes desagradáveis. Ao estufar estas carnes, o tempo de cozedura vai fazer a carne amolecer e devido ao tempo da confecção vai obter um saboroso prato.

E a carne não é a única opção. Considere substituir a carne por alternativas proteicas duas ou três vezes por semana. O feijão, ovos ou manteiga de amendoim são apenas exemplos de excelentes fontes de proteínas que ajudam a manter bons níveis de nutrição em tempos de crise.

Cereais
Tal como no caso das fontes de proteínas, comprar produtos menos processados é preferível. Prefira arroz (integral) às misturas que muitas vezes são apenas engenhosos truques de marketing que nada beneficiam a sua nutrição e saúde.

É também uma boa ideia comprar pão, bolo-pão ou tortillas quando estão a preços mais acessíveis e congelá-los para comer mais tarde. O valor nutricional mantém-se praticamente inalterado por bastante tempo.

Bebidas

Uma excelente solução para poupar mais é comprar um filtro de água em vez de comprar água engarrafada. Se preferir os sumos, opte por concentrados em vez de refrigerantes.

Beba o café da manhã em casa. Acrescentar umas gotas de leite ou natas (magras) dará ao café da manhã um toque especial, e muito mais barato do que sair todas as manhãs para tomar o pequeno almoço na rua.

Snacks

Os snacks (batatas fritas de pacote, tiras de milho de pacote, etc) são normalmente produtos de pobre nutrição e pouco saudáveis. Evite este tipo de produtos, mas se não conseguir viver sem eles, opte por pacotes familiares e faça você mesmo os pacotes individuais. Poupará cerca de 50%.

Dicas Gerais

- Compre produtos de marca própria do hipermercado (ou marca branca)

- Compre produtos familiares e em pacotes grandes para poupar dinheiro e faça depois em casa pacotes individuais.

- Compre produtos em saldo ou em promoção e congele para consumir mais tarde.

- Não caia nas armadilhas dos hipermercados. Junto às caixas para pagar estão colocadas várias “ilhas” de produtos como pastilhas elásticas, gomas, doces, bolos, biscoitos, entre outros, que as pessoas são tentadas a comprar enquanto esperam na fila para pagar. Concentre-se na secção dos legumes e frutas frescos.

- Use coupons de descontos. Mas apenas para aqueles produtos que já consome normalmente, e não para produtos ricos em gorduras ou açúcares.

- Cozinhe em casa e evite sair para jantar.

- Mas se decidir sair para jantar fora, não se envergonhe e caso sobre muita comida, diga ao empregado para guardar e leve para casa.

- Substitua a carne por outras fontes proteicas de custo reduzido duas a três vezes por semana."

Fonte:

http://www.alimentacaosaudavel.org/Artigo-alimentacao-economica.html

Imagem:

http://www.dgs.pt/default.aspx?cn=5518554061236154AAAAAAAA