How to Stay Healthy When You're Poor

by Ann Olson, Featured Y! Health Contributor

Staying healthy when you're poor can be very difficult.  It's hard enough to afford groceries--making healthy choices with your grocery habits may seem impossible.

Photo (c) Lyn Lomasi

But there are ways to stay healthy even if you are struggling to afford groceries every week.  Some foods stretch further and offer more nutritional value, such as carrots and oatmeal.  Other foods offer cheaper alternatives to more expensive food choices, such as lean chicken breasts.  If you are poor or expect to become poor, these healthy eating choices will keep you healthy, which can prevent the onset of illnesses that may ultimately cost more money to treat.

So how do you stay healthy when you're poor?  

1. Always have carrots and potatoes in stock.  Potatoes and carrots are usually very cheap or on sale in my area..  The versatility and nutritional value of these vegetables are essential for staying healthy, as it contains several important nutrients and vitamins that helps maintain the health of your skin, teeth, bones and vision.

2. Get your protein with eggs and canned tuna.  Chicken or pork can be very expensive--in my area, it's hard to find a bag of chicken breasts for less than $5.99, and that doesn't even last the entire week!  Try getting your protein by eating eggs or canned tuna instead.  Just a couple of servings can cover your daily protein requirement.

3. Oatmeal just isn't for breakfast.  It contains both insoluble and soluble fiber, which takes slower to digest, giving you a feeling of fullness.  It's also cheap and has limitless servings--just one canister of oatmeal should last you at least a week, if not more.  I like to eat mine with a dash of raisins and brown sugar.

4. Remember to get your sun.  If you're poor, you probably don't feel like going out because you don't want to spend money, but just spending 30 minutes outside each day can have wonderful benefits for your physical and mental 
well-being.  Not only has moderate sun exposure been shown to make people less likely to become depressed, it can also help your body get vitamin D.  It can really help you stay sane during these rough times.

Overall, making smart choices can help you save money and stay healthy when you're poor.  Stock up on vegetables, cook your food from scratch, and make sure to get some fresh air to stay healthy and sane.

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