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We’ve all heard the advice, “Eat more whole food.” But what exactly is whole food? And is it affordable?

Whole food is unprocessed and unrefined food. Simply, if you can imagine it growing, it’s probably a whole food. For example, a potato is a whole food, as opposed to a potato chip that has been cut, salted and fried.

While whole food has the reputation of being expensive, there are many ways to add delicious, healthy whole food to your diet, while also sticking to your budget:

 Buy seasonal: Fruits and vegetables are cheaper – and tastier – when purchased in season. Shop your farmers market or co-op to find seasonal items like asparagus in the spring, strawberries in the summer and kale in the fall.  Embrace the bulk bins: Do the bulk bins at your market scare you? You’re not alone. But buying from bulk bins is an affordable way to add spices, dried fruits, nuts, beans, legumes and grains to your meals. First, you are not paying for packaging, labeling and advertising from canned or pre-bagged foods. And second, you only buy what you need, so you’re less likely to throw away food.