And eating out impacts your wallet and your health. "A pasta dinner purchased at a restaurant costs many times more than it would take to make the meal at home. An added benefit is that at home, you can control the ingredients, ensuring a healthy dish for your family," said Bird. "While fast food may seem inexpensive and quick, the price you pay from a health perspective is much greater."

Other helpful hints to keep your health and budget on track include:Proper planning: Map out meals for the week and base your grocery shopping off that meal list.Buy in bulk: Most of the time this will save you a lot of money, especially opting for perishable items you can freeze including meat, bread and non-perishables that store for long periods of time such as canned foods, beans and grains.Go generic: Don't shy away from generic varieties. Most of the time they are of the same caliber as their name-brand counterparts.One-pot convenience: One-pot dishes are great all-around: They save on prep time, money and dishwashing, and often make great leftovers.

Source: Geisinger Health System