How can you economize on a raw food diet?
MAKE EASY TO FIND, INEXPENSIVE FOODS YOUR DAILY STAPLES. If you are like the rest of humanity, you probably eat mostly the same things. Bananas, cashews, flax, kale, collards, and other dark leafy greens are available most of the time. They are easily available and typically inexpensive because they are in demand by many people, regardless of their dietary focus.
ONLY EAT WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY: Many people graze, eating whenever it occurs to them, all day long. (Some raw food “gurus” actually recommend this approach) This can be expensive, and it can also add to your girth. If you stick to eating only when you are truly hungry (not when you are just thinking about what you could be eating, or because you have that food in your bag), the only thing that will get fat will be your wallet.
ONLY BUY WHAT YOU EXPECT TO EAT: Make a shopping list and stick to it. Work at sticking to that plan, and only buying those things. Of course, if you find a new recipe, and you need something unusual for that recipe, you can deviate from your plan.
BULK BUYING: On-line stores often offer bulk rates. The local co-op may offer a discount for cases of whatever it is that you want. Of course, if you buy from the bulk bin, it will be cheaper, and, likely, fresher, than buying packaged goods.
TRACK WHERE YOU FIND THE BEST PRICES: Shop your local health food stores, farmer’s markets, and co-ops, as well as any on-line suppliers you use. Notice the prices on the things you buy, and where you buy them, and track them. You can even track this information on a spreadsheet. When you run low on something, you can refer back to your listings to remind yourself of where prices on that item are best.
PREPLAN WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH LEFTOVERS: It is a good idea to plan what you will do if you have leftovers BEFORE you start to prepare a meal. If you know exactly what you are going to do, and, even better, if you can do it right after the meal, you can prevent the food wastage that can come when you just don’t want to eat that again. Freezing and dehydrating are the usual options. I usually make patties in the dehydrator right away with the spaghetti sauce that isn’t used when I make it for dinner. Dehydrating is a wonderful way to save prepared food as well as vegetables and fruit that you just are not going to get to. In addition, many raw food preparations, as well as raw fruit and vegetables can be frozen for a month.
PRETTY SMART RAW FOOD IDEAS 