6 Tips for Eating Organic on a Budget

Eating organic can be tricky. On one hand, it's so much better for you, and you can feel it after each meal...but on the other, it's very expensive, and your wallet can feel it after each meal, too. That's why we're sharing these 6 simple tips for eating organic without breaking the bank. Enjoy!

Healthy, delicious, and affordable!
Organic dairy is important
For dairy, we advise always going with organic. A conventional dairy cow is like the total package when it comes to things you're trying to avoid feeding your kid - frequently pumped full of antibiotics and growth hormones, and fed on corn covered in chemical pesticides and fertilizer. This is definitely something you want to avoid feeding your baby if you can help it. Instead, go for an organic yogurt like YoBaby plain. Wholesome, rich, and creamy, it's an ideal snack for even the littlest eaters.

Make raspberry fools with organic yogurt:

Ingredients

1 cup raspberries, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup very thick strained yogurt (a greek variety or skiir)
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons honey or sugar

Directions

In your food processor or blender, puree the raspberries. Pour into a small fine mesh strainer, or cheesecloth, set over a bowl and strain out the seeds.

In a large bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks, add the honey, and then gradually add in 2 tablespoons of yogurt at a time. When the mixture is nice and thick and forms stiff peaks, fold in the raspberry puree. Spoon into a large glass or ice cream dish, and mix whole raspberries throughout. Cover and chill for at least an hour, or overnight. Serve and enjoy!

Related: The 50 best recipes under 100 calories

Healthy, delicious, and affordable!
Bulk up
If your family eats a lot of oatmeal (or another pantry fave), you might want to opt for organic. Look for stores that sell organic staples like dried beans, grains, nuts, and flours in bulk, since bulk items are often much cheaper than their pre-packaged counterparts. Organic dried beans can be as little as $3.00 a pound (which cooks up to about 7 ½ cups), compared to $1.79 for a 15 oz. can of organic beans.
Make hearty baked beans

Healthy, delicious, and affordable!
Get to know your butcher
Since meats can be plied with so much of the bad stuff, opting for organic is optimal. Ask your butcher for less expensive cuts that won't skimp on flavor. For instance, organic chicken thighs are frequently half the price of chicken breasts, and organic braising cuts are far cheaper than many cuts of steak.
Make lamb ragu with sauteed greens

Healthy, delicious, and affordable!
Veg out
Sources of vegetable protein, like dried beans and grains, are far less expensive than meats. Consider adopting a "meatless Monday" tradition, or look to small cuts of organic meat to flavor mostly veggie meals - think ham hocks and slab bacon.
Make eggplant burgers with tzatziki

Related: The 5 worst foods for weight loss

Healthy, delicious, and affordable!
Clever casseroles save time and money
The casserole has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the years, but if you're a busy parent, they're a lifesaver. Stock up on organic noodles, beans, and cheese, and throw together a healthy, and tasty, casserole that can be heated up in minutes.
Make vegetable lasagna

Healthy, delicious, and affordable!
Make the most of your freezer
Blueberries are a huge hit in my house, and I love giving them to my daughters since they're also incredibly healthy. But thin-skinned blueberries regularly top the dirty dozen, so you definitely want to opt for organic. Consider stocking up on blueberries by freezing them yourself. Simply rinse and dry the berries, line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper, spread out the berries, freeze for several hours, and bag them up. Blueberries in February? No problem.
Make Meyer lemon bread pudding with blueberries

For 4 more tips for eating organic on a budget, visit Babble

MORE ON BABBLE

16 skinny soups to warm up with this winter
The 25 healthiest foods for under $1
17 drinks you'd never guess are non-alcoholic
20 salads hearty enough for tonight's dinner
12 healthy snacks that hold the sugar but keep it sweet

Stay connected. Follow Babble on Facebook and Twitter.