Grandpa Richard's Kids

Grandpa Richard lives by many of these tips, and his food bill is quite reasonable, even though he has a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables in his diet. I personally do not believe that I need meat every day, but I definitely miss it if I do not have some fruit and a salad each and every day!

As many Canadians feel the pinch of tough economic times, it is important to remember that healthy meals and snacks do not have to cost a fortune.

“Children need proper nourishment for healthy development,” says Wendy Wong, president and CEO, Breakfast for Learning. “Despite a challenging economy and rising food costs, providing nutritious foods can still be affordable, even on a tight budget.”

Breakfast for Learning offers these helpful tips:

• Prepare meals at home. Find nutritious recipes your family enjoys and stock your cupboards with affordable, healthy staples likes canned tomatoes, beans and brown rice. Pack healthy lunches and snacks for school days. More recipe ideas are available online at www.breakfastforlearning.ca.

• Try meat alternatives. Decreasing your meat consumption can help stretch your grocery budget and is a great opportunity to try different types of protein sources like beans, tofu, and lentils.

• Avoid pre-made packaged foods. Pre-made, processed foods are more expensive. Fresh foods can provide children with healthy food choices and less salt.

• Make wise produce selections. Buy in-season fruit and vegetables (like a variety of apples in the fall), or purchase frozen or canned. If possible, purchase canned fruit packed in water.

“Meeting the demands of today’s economy can be hard, but making healthier food options does not have to be,” continues Wong. “Help ensure child nutrition is not compromised by making it a priority at home and at school. Give children the proper nourishment they need to grow up strong and healthy.”

Nutrition education resources, recipes and more information about child nutrition programs can be found online at www.breakfastforlearning.ca.

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