When the economy sours, do you turn to sweets?
While many of us are suffering economically, candy manufacturers Hershey, Cadbury and Nestle's are all reporting healthy profits.
Americans especially are eating more candy. Whether it's nostalgia for better times or the urge to indulge when times are tough, more and more people have turned to inexpensive candy for comfort.
Why watch your waistline expand while your budget shrinks?
Shop seasonally and locally. Fresh local produce usually costs less than produce that's traveled a long distance. Check out your local farmer's market and community-supported agriculture.
Get organized. Write a menu for the week and make a shopping list of what you'll need. At the grocery store, stick to your list and stay focused.
Focus on the perimeter of the grocery store. You'll find the less expensive basics – produce, dairy and bread, in the outer aisles. More expensive processed foods are in the middle.
Use red meat as a condiment rather than a main course. Chicken, turkey, eggs and legumes are all less expensive than beef and healthier too.
Look for store brands. Just check to be sure that they're kosher. Use the "unit price" to compare the price of generic and name brand items.
Use coupons and take advantage of sales. Stock up on shelf-stable items when they're on sale.
Steer clear of the candy, soda and snack-food aisles! Choc full of sugar and fat, these items give you calories with little or no nutrition for the cost.
In Israel, instead of putting a tax on fruits and vegetables as proposed in the budget, the government should put a higher tax on junk foods and use some of the money collected to subsidize healthy foods like whole wheat bread, fish, olive oil, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, etc. For example, if a person buys a bottle of cola, he will have to pay double the current price, and the money will be used to subsidize bags of milk. This will help the financial crisis and the health crisis at the same time!
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