The mercury is starting to rise, and here in the Magic Valley, so are gas prices.
Unfortunately, that has a trickle effect on much of our lives.
Jill Skeem says, “It’s affecting so many things, and it's also affecting groceries in the grocery store because now to transport food to the grocery stores, with the increased gas, the price is going up.”
The effect on groceries has been significant.
Milk is near three and a half dollars, eggs are over two, and the price of meats is higher than ever.
Jill Skeem, a local nutritionist, says there is a relief.
Skeem says, “So a great way for a family to save money, to help their budget a bit, is to try alternatives. And you can make some delicious, nutritious meals for your family in very cost-effective ways.”
She says beans are inexpensive, can stretch far in meals, and have all the protein and nutrients found in meat.
Also easy-to-make foods like polenta and hummus can change the flavor of meals, while keeping the price down.
Skeem says, “If, say you have some leftover meats you can also take a nice, healthy lentil, vegetable, soup, add more water to it, add some vegetables to it, add the leftover meat to it and expand your meals to make it a stew.”
And it doesn't require an entire thought-shift toward the food you eat.
Skeem says, “Well, if you have a problem with this, just switch out a few meals a week and try it. You’re not losing any protein, there's protein in everything, it's actually a healthier protein for you because your body doesn't have to digest it as much. it's harder to digest meat than it is plant-based proteins.”