Food Insecurity And How To Eat Healthy On A Budget

 Eating healthy is not always an option available for people. Whether it be due to time constraints, a busy schedule, or not having access or funds to buying healthy groceries, there are many reasons that account for this. Another reason that contributes to this problem is the existence of food deserts in our country. A food desert is a place/area that does not have as much access to healthy foods or grocery stores in general. Instead, most foods that are accessible are fast foods and/or processed foods. Food deserts can be a result of economic issues and lack of transportation within such areas. Food deserts are a problem that cannot be solved by an individual, but I wanted to point this out as it is an issue that harms people and their access to healthy foods. 

    Another point I would like to make in this post is that a lot of economic issues and struggles have arose due to the impact of COVID-19 on our country. This is due to the fact that many people lost their jobs and their income. Not everyone was eligible for benefits and even those who were may have had to wait long periods of time in order to receive such benefits. These changes have impacted food insecurity within our country, as nearly 23% of households were affected by food insecurity in 2020 according to research conducted at Northwestern University (NPR, 2020). Schools were closed as well, meaning children who struggled with food insecurity at home were no longer able to receive food from schools like they used to. Some schools were offering food available for pickup but transportation could have been another issue that prevented children and families from accessing this resource. I wanted to make this post in order to raise awareness about food insecurity in our country and how people can eat healthy foods at a lower cost. This advice will not include information regarding government food assistance programs but those can be an option for people as well if they are eligible.

1) Purchase canned foods - Canned foods can be a lot cheaper than fresh or frozen foods and usually have a longer shelf life as well. Sometimes canned foods can contain a lot of sugar or salt but this can be helped by rinsing the contents with water.

2) Clip coupons - Coupons can be a great way to save money on foods, especially if coupons can be stacked at the store. Coupons can be found in newspapers and online as well. 

3) Look for local food pantries - There are many places that have food pantries available such as schools or churches. An internet search regarding your local area that is accessible to you can provide information on such resources. The downside to these resources is that they are often only available to claim items from once per month, but it can still be helpful for people who have a tight budget and need food assistance. 

4) If possible, purchase in bulk - Buying in bulk can save a lot of money in the long run but it can be quite spendy initially. However, it can be useful if you are purchasing a food item you know you will use quite often and has a long shelf-life; such as coffee, dried beans, or oatmeal. 

5) Purchase foods that can be used in different kinds of meals - Foods such as oats, rice, potatoes, and eggs can be used in a wide variety of recipes for any time of the day. These foods are often inexpensive while also healthy and generally easy to prepare (in different ways as well). 

I hope that these tips can be helpful and useful in some way, especially for anyone who may be struggling with food insecurity. These times have been very challenging and difficult for so many people, and I hope that with change that help can be more available to those in need. I hope that the information presented earlier in this post highlighted those issues and why they exist, as they are issues that have affected so many people even before COVID-19 could impact our country.