Gardening for the Win

     With inflation putting a pinch on already expensive food produce, many folks are left comprising the quality of their diet in order to spare the loose change in their wallet. While we, as dietitians, recognize the importance and nutritional benefits that any food item has to offer, eliminating certain produce does not ensure adequate nutrition status. 

An easy way around this dilemma is to make a quick trip to your neighborhood Home Depot and purchase some dirt, a water pot, and a few seeds containing the fruits and vegetables of your choice, and get to work in your backyard. In no time at all, you may have copious amounts of peppers, strawberries, carrots, lettuce, spinach, peaches, and raspberries to be able to use in as many recipes as you’d like. 

The food produce being grown in an individual garden is far cheaper than any food produce that may be purchased in a grocery store. The caveat is that growing produce takes a wee bit more time than strolling into your local Trader Joe’s. In my humble opinion, it is well worth the rewarding feeling of enjoying fresh, healthy, and cheaper produce from my backyard even though it took me a little bit longer to acquire. 

In Ohio, it can be hard to justify planting a garden when there are only a few select months where the weather is actually appropriate to do so. I get it. However, gardening is one of the best activities for family bonding, and offers numerous health benefits outside of consuming fresh produce. 

So, as you try to determine how to overcome the economic hardship that is affecting your grocery bill, growing your own vegetables and fruits may just be the solution you have been looking for!

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