As grocery prices increase, health conscious shoppers are trying to figure out how to balance their budgets while still eating right.

"We hear people complaining about prices every day," said local Harris Teeter cashier John Etell. "Organic milk costs $5.40 a gallon."

While the prices of just about everything at the grocery store seems to be going up, it's especially true for just about anything all-natural or fat-free. Harris Teeter organic bananas cost .89 cents a pound. The Chiquita brand is .65 cents a pound. Nature's Own double fiber whole wheat bread is $2.99 a loaf, compared to $2.39 for the white variety.

"I don't care what anyone says, it costs more to eat healthy," one Fort Mill resident said. The resident, a husband and father who was injured at work and is now on disability, requested to remain anonymous.

That resident and his wife have a daughter, a senior at Fort Mill High School, who will be going to York Tech. She will live with her family next year.

"I sent her out recently to get ice cream and I told her to bring back the Wal-mart brand. She asked, 'why?' I replied, 'because it's cheaper,'" her mom said.

Although they drink name brand Lipton Green Tea, the cutting out soda. The Fort Mill wife says the family used to buy fresh apples. Now they stick to bananas and frozen vegetables.

"It does take a little variety out of our diet, but it comes down to feeding the family," the mom says.

Strawberry season is in full swing, and others won't refuse fresh produce. Otis and Lizann Lutz of Fort Mill "might splurge on fruit," she says, but they believe they can save money by not buying artificial sweets such as Little Debbie cakes. They also cook at home more often than eating out.

"I know it takes time, and time is premium for frozen foods, but already prepared foods add a lot of empty calories," Lizann Lutz says. "We save money by doing it ourselves."

The couple shops at the deep discount Aldi grocery store on Cherry Road in Rock Hill, she says, and looks for bargains - especially in bulk - at other stores. They also have two dogs and are aware the price of pet food has been going up as well.

"We look for specials," Lutz says. "In fact Otis bought a big bag of dog food at Wal-mart when they had a special on it. Every Sunday, I'll look at the sales [in the newspaper]. If there's something you can buy in bulk, we'll do it."

And price consciousness isn't limited to food.

Although Otis passes a K-mart on his way home from work everyday, he went to a Wal-Mart instead recently so he could buy a gift card that rewards customers with discounted fuel, his wife explained. His truck runs on diesel and they are planning a road trip soon. For other shoppers, taking advantage of a store's value card can mean good savings.

"Having a VIC, (Harris Teeter's Very Important Customer), card here helps," according to cashier John Etell. "Because if you spend certain amounts you receive sub-points. You get 10 dollars off on stuff like frozen food."