Eating a healthy diet is crucial at any age, but especially so for children whose bodies are still growing and developing.

The economic downturn has many families scrambling to make ends meet. Some may even find themselves turning to less-expensive food, even if it's less nutritious, to help cut costs.

Ashley Archibald wrote in The Hill's Congress Blog, that a lack of nearby affordable food makes people turn to unhealthy options. Archibald notes that she has seen people in her own community turn to fast food restaurants and convenience stores.

St. Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, along with food service provider ARAMARK, are trying to help struggling families. In a joint release, they mentioned that more families are looking for help and are in need of lunches from schools and food stamps.

"This tough economy has had a major impact on us at Mary's Center and community centers across the city are suffering from a decline in funding," says Mary's Center president CEO Maria Gomez. "People are looking for everything from emergency financial assistance and food to childcare while they go job hunting."

A nutritious diet will help people live better lives and help keep health care and health insurance costs low.