One of the greatest misconceptions out there is that processed, pre-packaged foods are less expensive that raw, whole foods. But more often than not this is simply not true.
Cooking from scratch is usually far more cost effective in the long run, particularly if you stop throwing away the left-overs.
A 2008 report authored by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Water Management Institute found that half of the food produced worldwide is wasted!
To prevent unnecessary waste:
- Plan ahead. If you plan your meals in advance, you can buy only what you need at the store.
- Buy proper portions.
- Learn to store your food so that it stays fresh.
- Learn recipes for tasty leftover meals.
The British website Love Food Hate Waste can help you calculate portions, and provides a variety of time- and money-saving tips, recipes, and much more.
Aside from the actual sticker price of the food, cooking from scratch using fresh, whole (preferably organic) ingredients will provide you with far superior nutrition, rather than empty calories.
Keep in mind that the money you think you’re saving today by stocking up on cheap, denatured, processed foods will end up costing an arm and a leg later on, when your health fails and the medical bills start rolling in…
