Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni
Ad

Healthy Kids First: Healthy Eating on a Shoestring Budget

By Mandy Curry on April 11, 2015 from Healthy Kids First

I often hear from families that healthy eating is too expensive and that they can’t possibly eat healthy on a budget.  It’s a very debatable topic and worthy of a discussion.  In fact, that very topic is being explored by a number of people right now and ideas will be presented at the 2nd annual Try This conference June 5-6 in Buckhannon.  Hundreds from around the state will be attending this conference to learn and share ideas for a healthier West Virginia.   
 
One specific workshop planned for the conference is entitled “Healthy Eating on a Shoestring Budget” and it aims to talk about healthy eating on SNAP benefits. 
 
Despite what many think, it is absolutely possible to eat healthy on a budget. In fact, side dishes and snacks are a good place to cut corners.  Boxed foods often require added ingredients and microwave foods are expensive and full of unhealthy ingredients. 
 
A container of premade mashed potatoes may cost $3 at the grocery store, but homemade potato wedges can be made for $1. 
 
There are a slew of other examples just like this.  In fact, fresh vegetables are the easiest way to eat healthy on a shoestring budget. 
 
They require little to no cooking skills, no fancy equipment and no exotic seasoning blends.  Most can be made with just olive oil and sea salt.  That’s it! 
 
Not all kids like vegetables though, so it sometimes takes a little creativity to get them over the hump.  
 
Long live the “chip.”
 
Sautéed zucchini can be a tough sell for kids but slice it up in the form of a chip and bake it, and you have an instant hit at the dinner table. In fact, you can “chip-ify” just about any vegetable.  Below is a list of our favorite healthy snacks or side dishes that can be made for about $1.    
 
Squash Chips
Kale Chips
Parsnip Fries
Roasted Carrots
Sweet Potato Fries
Plantain Chips
Potato Wedges
Zucchini Chips
Beet Chips
 
The cooking application for each is very easy.  I season most of my fries and chips the same way - extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.  Chips can generally be baked at 350-degrees for 15-20 minutes and Fries are baked at 450-degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Here’s a video we just released showing how to make both carrot and parsnip fries.  I spent $3 in total and it produced enough for 2 rounds of side dishes. 
 
 
Healthy eating doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated.  Sometimes it just needs to be “chip-ified.” 
 
And here’s one final recipe to round out your healthy eating on a shoestring budget.  This one requires a few more ingredients, but they are really tasty and chickpeas are super cheap.  Enjoy!
 
Roasted Chickpeas
Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 ¼ tsp ground Cumin
½ tsp ground toasted fennel seeds
¼ tsp Paprika
¼ tsp pepper
1 pinch of salt
 
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425° F. Toss chickpeas in a bowl with oil, cumin, fennel, paprika, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, stirring halfway through cooking, until crispy, 25–30 minute.


Share


Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad
Ad

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: Coaching Commitment Like...

    It was about two years ago in this very blog, June 20, 2021, to be exact, when Dante Bonamico. It was about that time...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: BHS Senior Football Moms Ba...

    An annual tradition that still is in place sees the Bridgeport Football Moms not only get involved with assisting the...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    Why Bridgeport? A Look at the Public Sch...

    Today marks the end of another group of students passing through the halls of the Bridgeport School system. Graduation day...

    Posted by Jon Griffith

  • Photo

    Off the Shelf: Check Out Our Audiobook C...

    Have you ever listened to an audiobook? If not, you should give it a try! Audiobooks are a great way to make your work...

    Posted by Savanna Draper

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: As You Prepare to Graduate, ...

    Editor’s Note: This is a slightly modified version of my blog that has ran every year on graduation weekend. Please SH...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: A Bridgeport Restaurant H...

    I wanted to share with you my opinion about another restaurant that I visited recently.  For Mother’s Day we decided t...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

  • Photo

    Beneath the Jacket with the Bridgeport F...

    On Thursday, May 18, the Bridgeport FFA held its 2023 chapter banquet! The chapter recognized its green hand and chapt...

    Posted by Miyah Swiger

Calendar [ view all ]

Mon
29

156th West Virginia Memorial Day parade

Tue
30

DINE 4 A CAUSE - KELLY'S 2.0

Oct
29

Cars and Coffee Bridgeport

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.