Health care costs and the price of food are only getting more expensive. Our health and the foods we eat are intricately connected.

Fast food is high in sugar, salt, saturated fats, and trans fats. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health notes that the typical person in the United States consumes too much fast food. Not only is it unhealthy, leading to long-term health problems, it is expensive. The typical fast-food lunch can cost $10.00 a day or more. That adds up to $50.00 a week and $2,600 a year! Think of what you could be doing with that money instead.

When you eat healthy, health care costs go down. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other health problems can be caused by poor diet.

You will feel better physically when you eat a healthy lunch, whole nutritious foods give you energy to get through the day. Fast food provides very little nutritional value, so you often feel tired and unwell after eating it.

Tips for Packing

Make a list and go shopping, purchase all the items you need for the week. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins such as lean meats and cheese, beans, lentils and eggs. Buy a variety of foods and get creative.

Mix it up, packing does not mean eating the same thing every day. Choose foods you like that are easy to prepare.

Sandwiches and wraps are easy to make and there are tons of options. Whole grain breads, pitas, whole grain or veggie wraps, flat breads, naan and english muffins are just a few choices for a sandwich base. You can also use collard greens, swiss chard and other leafy greens to make a wrap.

Get creative with sandwich spreads, mustard, salsa, hummus, and mashed avocado are a few healthy choices.

Fill your sandwich with anything you like, try egg salad, chicken salad, nut butter, tofu, beans, lean meats and fish, avocado or eggplant. You can really make a sandwich out of anything.

Salads don’t have to be boring, choose a variety of different greens and add any vegetable and lean proteins you like. Choose a healthy dressing, store bought salad dressing is often not a healthy choice. Try vinegar and olive oil, salsa, hummus, yogurt, and other nutritious toppings.

Bring your own water, store it in a glass or stainless-steel container, bring your own tea and coffee.

Invest in some go to containers, glass and stainless-steel are healthier than plastic.

Spend some time on meal prep each weekend. Preparing ahead leaves you more time in the morning since you can just grab your lunch and go.