7 cheap and healthy alternatives to foods you love

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Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a ton of money on food in order to live a healthier lifestyle.

In fact, it’s possible to make nutritious meals and save money on groceries at the same time.

If  you’re trying to cut some of the high-calorie and high-sodium foods out of your diet, here are seven healthy food swaps you can make that won’t break your budget.

1. Make spaghetti squash instead of pasta

Spaghetti squash can be a healthy alternative to pasta. If you’re watching your weight, you might like the fact that it has fewer calories. It also has fewer grams of carbohydrates than pasta and is just as easy to prepare.

Like pasta, spaghetti squash is low in fat and serves as a good source of fiber. If you’re on a budget, you’ll find that it’s an inexpensive dish to make.

2. Drink seltzer instead of soda

While seltzer can be slightly more expensive than soda, it’s much healthier. By drinking it, you won’t have to worry about increasing your risk of getting diabetes. And it won’t do as much damage to your teeth.

3. Choose oranges over orange juice

If you normally pour yourself a glass of orange juice in the morning, it might be a better idea to eat an orange instead. A recent study argues that drinking a glass of OJ will provide you with a greater amount of phytonutrients like carotenoids, which can lower your risk of contracting certain cancers and diseases.

But if you eat an orange, you’ll get more fiber and you’ll consume less fructose, a sugar that can raise your chances of developing a cardiovascular disease.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider