Affordable nutrition

I've come up with my own list of seven suggestions. Some of the items on it are whimsical and philosophical, and some are concrete, but all are important.

1. Whenever possible, buy fruit and vegetables that are locally grown and produced. If you live in a big city, try to visit the farmers' market. If you live in the country, find local suppliers.
2. Understand that food product 'bargains' may not be a real deal at all. A longer shelf life translates into lower prices, but at what cost to your body?
3. Prepare in advance. When I say it costs more to eat healthily, I don't just mean price point. Convenience and time saving is a big part of the equation that figures into the final cost. You can even the odds against you by preparing food in advance and taking it with you.
4. Shop more often for perishables. This can be time consuming, but the pay-off of getting something fresh rather than a week old is worth it. The nutrition that's lost in fruits and vegetables over time on a shelf is astonishing. It doesn't cost any more to buy this stuff fresh than it does old.
5. Frozen meals are not cheaper. Believe it or not, you can buy a couple of fresh vegetables and grill some lean meat or fish for about the same cost as a frozen dinner.
6. Go nuts. Shop for fresh, preferably raw nuts. They're filling, delicious, and they beat any other snack hands down.
7. Re-prioritise. You may have to put in a little more time or, in some cas
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