Why is healthy food so expensive?

newengland11

Hi guys! I'm new here, just had a baby 5 months ago and trying to lose the weight. I'm down 4lbs, got another 36lbs to go. But in struggling a bit on healthy foods. I'm not in the most stable of financial situations right now, so I can't really afford spending $300+ every two weeks on groceries. I have about $170 I can spend towards food a month. Can you guys give me some foods that are healthy that are budget friendly? Thanks!

tiptoethruthetulips

Do you have a slow cooker/crockpot? Buy cheaper cuts of meat to cook stews/casseroles/soup in it. The slow cooking will tenderise the meat. Buy fruit and veg on mark down days or at the end of the retail week where they are marked before the shop closes for a day or two. Use lentils, legumes - these are cheap when buying in bulk.

Buy whole chicken, use all of it. Roast chicken dinner, leftovers can be used for another meal or added to soup, sandwiches, etc. Bones can be frozen until you have another set and then used to make stock. I use the slow cooker for this. Two sets of chicken bones/carcasses covered with water, cook for about 24 to 36 hours. Or do it on the stock top for much shorter period of time.

You don't have to buy anything special when eating healthy.

What do you normally buy? How can it be used healthier?

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

I find the opposite. As I don't buy much processed foods. Veggies cost very little at the likes of Aldi and Lidl, make your meal plan around those and just add in your protein base.
Chick peas and beans are cheap protein bases. Buy whole chickens and chop them up your self works out economical as well.
I don't tend to eat much bread or rice but they can be added in for very little cost.

LKArgh

What are you buying that is that expensive? Beans, lentils, dry peas etc, rice, pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables in season, frozen vegetables, chicken, can be the basis of healthy meals and usually inexpensive.

nbottin

Try eating less meat and eat more vegetables. Incorporating more vegan or vegetarian meals into your diet will significantly cut costs. Also eat more simple like rice, oats, potatoes, veggies, fruit, etc,

sinbadfxdl

First of all congratulations on your weight loss. As far as quality food, It's a matter of how far your willingness is to work to prepare your inexpensive healthy foods. Tips are:
. your groc stores habits on reducing items to be sold that day. (Good cuts of meat that has to be eaten that day).
. Coupons, coupons, coupons.
. Sale ads.
. Always, always look at the dent and damage section
. Frozen veggies are way cheaper than fresh and are flash frozen at peak ripeness.
. Stock up on canned beans and legumes. I can get them as low as .69cent a can here.
. Make large and tasty veggie and rice sides to last 3 days in the fridge and be used with fresh meat daily.
. Make your own snacks. Way cheaper.
. Lean twards fresh vegetables in season.

Its a do-able budget. My wife lost her job and we came up with these budgeted shopping routines. We saved 50percent on our average groc. Bill.

louubelle16

I don't find this problem, if I'm steering clear of anything processed it usually works out cheaper.

I make sure I plan my meals and write a very strict shopping list, and I try to avoid buying fruit and vegetables out of season as that makes them very pricey. I also avoid buying a lot of meat, as that really adds to the cost.

What are you buying that is costing you a lot? Maybe we can help suggest some cheaper alternatives

echmainfit619

What do you mean by "healthy"?

goldthistime

Another vote for frozen vegetables. My bad experiences with frozen vegetables have come from leaving them in my own freezer too long. Once I switched to buying and eating instead of buying and storing, quality improved drastically.

Sued0nim

newengland11 wrote: »

Hi guys! I'm new here, just had a baby 5 months ago and trying to lose the weight. I'm down 4lbs, got another 36lbs to go. But in struggling a bit on healthy foods. I'm not in the most stable of financial situations right now, so I can't really afford spending $300+ every two weeks on groceries. I have about $170 I can spend towards food a month. Can you guys give me some foods that are healthy that are budget friendly? Thanks!

Pulses, beans, meats on offer
Do your markets have special offers at the end of the day on veg and foods that are close to sell-by date - buy them up - make casseroles and soups and freeze
Chicken portions like thighs can be cheaper and far tastier
Buy a whole chicken - make a number of meals out of it - eg start with a roast chicken dinner, make soup out of the bones with carrots, celery, onion, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf (add rice / dumplings), make chicken stir fry or sandwiches or curry with any leftover meat - 3 meals from one chicken etc etc

Healthy food is often cheaper than pre-packaged convenience food

Yi5hedr3

It's not

lisalsd1

We're a family of 4, and we definitely don't spend $300/every 2 weeks on groceries. "Healthy" packaged foods are expensive. You can usually buy dried beans in bulk for less than $2/lb (where I live). We also belong to BJs (bulk store). The membership is $40/year, but we definitely save more than that (especially if you are buying disposable diapers). Milk, eggs, bread, veggies, are all cheaper there.

We eat a lot of eggs, peanut butter, meat, veggies, beans, tofu; few grains, very little packaged foods; no soda/juice.

trisH_7183

You can make soup in a slo cooker or on stove top by using broth ( your choice),adding any veggies you have,fresh or frozen,canned works if drained. Maybe leftover meat or not. Use spices/flavorings you have......garlic,dash of worcestershire sauce etc.Let it simmer on low till it tastes good.Can keep in fridge or freeze.
Frozen fruit is good too,especially in winter.Remember,you don't need to cut everything out. Small portions & replace as you go.You have a good start....It's a learning process for all.

ValerieMartini2Olives

I get $167/month in food stamps for myself and a 2 1/2 year old. We eat "healthy" and are able to buy lots of good quality and fresh food. I usually only have to put in a couple dollars of my own at the end of the month to make up the difference. It's all about using every single thing you buy. No waste. And stretching what you have. Yogurt, cheese, eggs, and bread and fruits and vegetables are NOT expensive.

ohmyllama

It's not expensive. I buy bulk chicken tenderloin, freeze it, and it lasts me 2 months. $20. Then I buy vegetables at aldis. I was buying processed foods, junk foods, and pops, and that stuff was way more expensive because I would eat so much of it. I used to spend $300 a month... now I spend about $100-$150.

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Kullerva

My grocery budget is $160/month and I'm not the hugest fan of meat. I eat chicken (rarely) and fish, and that's about it. Frozen, each cost about $10 for six to eight meals.

I also endorse frozen veggies. Peas, corn, whatever's on offer. Some of the canned stuff isn't too bad, either--just read labels carefully.

Look for things grown locally, too. I can get apples for $10/30 apples (they come in a BIG bag) because they're leftover from farms, and apples will keep six months if stored properly.

Beans and lentils are good if you like them. Pasta's cheap (usually $1.50 for enriched or protein-fortified kinds) even if it's not the absolute best thing for you. I also adore cottage cheese--a protein bomb that's pretty cheap.

seltzermint555

I'm 5'8", my husband is 6'2", neither of us is small (though now within healthy ranges). We hike a LOT, too...and we just spend about $40 per week on groceries and eat very healthy.

We also spend about $100 per week on meals out, but that's only like 3 meals. If we ate every meal at home we could easily still be around $50-60 per week for our food bill.

Everyone's given you great advice already but I'd add one more thing (knowing nothing about what you currently buy)...steer clear of all the "healthy snacks" that are pre-portioned for you. You pay a lot for the small packages and portioned snacks, and it's really not necessary. Weigh and/or measure your own portions and put them in a bag, dish, container, whatever. Things like protein bars and vitamin water and 100 cal packets of baked crackers (for example) seem inexpensive because of the sticker price but in the long run can become a huge blow to your grocery budget.

Lounmoun

To lose weight you just need to stick to your calorie goal. Some food has more nutrients for the amount of calories than others. You don't have to buy expensive food.

Plan meals. Planning will really help you if your budget is tight. Reduce waste by using what you buy.

A big pot of soup once a week is a good dollar stretcher. It can be a good way to use up leftover meat or vegetables. You can have leftover soup throughout the week or freeze for another day. A bean based or lentil soup is pretty cheap and filling. My family likes fassolatha, minestrone, ham and bean and lemon lentil soup.

Get things like oatmeal, rice, dry beans and lentils, pasta, potatoes, tuna, whole chicken, eggs, carrots, onions, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, peanut butter, bread, cheese, milk, garlic, celery, frozen vegetables, canned fruits or vegetables.

My family has enjoyed recipes from here-> http://www.budgetbytes.com/

pie_eyes

I know its not a good thing, but Hamburger Helper helps round out a week. Use your imagination and stack it with veggies. It adds alot to the meal.

Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff - Add onions, mushrooms, string beans
Hamburger Helper Crunchy Taco - Onions, Red pepper, green pepper, tomatoes

Unfortunately that's all I think of at the moment.

Also Ramen - add some veggies to that, you can put in salad pieces or a frozen bag of mixed veggies, and/or canned meats - and canned soups

pie_eyes

Your secret weapon is anything canned and frozen. Get a jar of pickles for snacks - low in calories basically healthy - you probably can tell I might have a sodium problem

beachhouse758

A while back, someone shared this Google Docs Cook Book:
"Eat Well on $4 a Day"
https://8e81c55f4ebf03323905b57bf395473796067508.googledrive.com/host/0B2A2SnkA9YgxaHdzbEhGSmJOZDg/good-and-cheap.pdf

The author works with low income families and the book is meant to help people living on Food Assistance eat a well balanced diet -- another plus is that the ingredients are easy to find. No need to climb Kilimanjaro to look for root to make broth...

Hope you like it.

Traveler120

Maybe the problem is you're buying grass fed meat or organic food only, which isn't necessary or more nutritious than conventional produce as studies have shown. As others have said, frozen veggies are the cheapest and are just as nutritious as fresh. 1 lb of frozen spinach, broccoli, cauliflower cost less than $1.50. Potatoes are $3-4 for a 5 lb bag. Beans, which are highly nutrious are 65c/can, Dry beans or lentils are $2 for a 2 lb. Rice, grains etc are all dirt cheap. Probably the most costly is meat, which is not even a necessity. Protein powders are another waste of money.

Your profile says you're in TX, where food is ridiculously cheap. Go to Walmart and also see if you have an Aldi's close to you. Their fruits and veggies are even cheaper than Walmart. But Walmart and Kroger have the cheapest frozen veggies (store brands). Just buy real, whole foods and not processed 'health' foods.

cwolfman13

newengland11 wrote: »

Hi guys! I'm new here, just had a baby 5 months ago and trying to lose the weight. I'm down 4lbs, got another 36lbs to go. But in struggling a bit on healthy foods. I'm not in the most stable of financial situations right now, so I can't really afford spending $300+ every two weeks on groceries. I have about $170 I can spend towards food a month. Can you guys give me some foods that are healthy that are budget friendly? Thanks!

Define "healthy"

I eat very healthfully and spend way less on food (groceries and eating out) than I ever did....

my dietary staples:

dried legumes - very cheap and I make a big batch every weekend for the family
lentils - very cheap
brown rice - very cheap
oats - very cheap
eggs - not overly expensive
vegetables like cabbage and broccoli and onions - pretty cheap
potatoes - dirt cheap...right now I'm buying 5 Lbs of russet potatoes for $.99 a bag
apples - only fruit I will really buy this time of year as everything else is overly expensive
ground beef - pretty cheap
whole chickens and chicken parts - usually pretty cheap
pork tenderloins - pretty cheap
cod and salmon and shrimp - expensive
frozen veggies - always seem to be on sale

and the list could go on...

eating healthy shouldn't be expensive...most people who think it is have a skewed perception of what actually constitutes healthy eating.

watch for sales on meats and what not. only buy salad greens and those kind of veggies that go bad quickly when you know you're going to be eating a lot of salad...otherwise stick to hardier and cheaper veggies. don't get cute without out of season fruits and veg and stay away from the "exotics" unless you're wanting to splurge. Legumes, lentils, rice, and potatoes are your friends.

In my experience, convenience type foods are ultimately more expensive than buying whole foods and preparing your meals from scratch, whole ingredients..and don't get me started on eating out.

gaelicstorm26

Depending on your income, please see if you qualify for any assistance from the government. If you can qualify for WIC it could really increase your food budget.

Otherwise, there are a ton of good suggestions here. Produce this time of the year is getting expensive here (I'm in PA and we've already had two good frosts and some snow), but canned and frozen vegetables are good second options for when fresh just isn't a viable option. Rice and legumes, barley, etc are inexpensive for how filling they are. Bulk cooking and then freezing into portions is very budget-friendly if you can find $100-150 dollars to front the cost. Soups and stews are great ways to stretch meat and you can add in those beans or barley to make it extra filling.

I have a family of four and we spend about $125-$150/week for groceries. That includes three meals a day for four people because both of my boys pack school lunch.

I wish I could get 5 lbs of potatoes for .99!!! Here a 5 lb bag is between $3.99-$4.99.

janejellyroll

I spend about $25-35 a week and that keeps me stocked with beans, grains, spices, tofu, tempeh, vegetable oils, potatoes, frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I'll splurge and get some fancier stuff (non-dairy cheese, faux meat, fancier condiments), but I have found that it isn't too expensive to create healthy meals.

SueInAz

Eating to lose weight shouldn't cost more, it should cost less because you're eating less. There's a huge misconception that eating "healthy" (which isn't required for weight loss, by the way) costs more but it doesn't. You've already gotten some great suggestions here I'll reiterate a couple because hearing things more than once and in a different way helps them to sink in.

• Buy in bulk. If you don't belong to Sam's Club, BJ's, Costco, etc. get a membership. You will easily cover the membership fee buying non-food essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, dog food, cleaning products, laundry detergent, eyeglasses, etc. before you even start to save on food. And you will save on food. Costco is the largest seller of organic products in the country, if organics matter to you (they don't to me as no one has proved to me they offer anything better than food produced any other way).
• Buy produce in season or frozen. Avoid buying stuff that's out of season and more expensive. Enjoy hard squash in the Fall and strawberries in the Spring. Buy only what you will use in the next few days and avoid waste unless you freeze it. Buy fresh berries in season and freeze them to use in smoothies, with Greek yogurt, etc.
• Your crockpot is your friend. You can use it for cheaper cuts of meat or to make large batches of meals, especially if you can get the ingredients on sale. Either freeze the leftovers for another night or use them for lunches during the rest of the week.
• Start meal planning. Most families eat the same meals fairly often and unless you like to experiment a lot you can get away with making the same things on a two or three week rotation. This will make it easy to stock your pantry when things are on sale and to know what you need to buy when you run out. You can keep one night per week flexible to find recipes which take advantage of in-season produce.
• Foods in larger portions are cheaper, partially because there's less packaging. This is especially true of snack foods. Buy in quantity and portion into reusable containers yourself.

AnnPT77

+1 to the good suggestions here about cooking rather than using prepack processed foods, and to specific foods cited.

Another possibility is to consider the less-mainstream, less-popular vegetables at the store, some of which are very affordable. I'm particularly thinking of things like root vegetables (turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, etc.), cabbage, onions (thought of as a major component of dishes rather than just a tiny flavor-sparker - they're excellent roasted), etc.

Before the "I don't like those" reaction, consider giving them a try-out with recipes you might find online that sound good. You may find a few worth using regularly, at a good price-point.

Francl27

Frozen veggies, chicken thighs, ground turkey are all pretty cheap.

Lleldiranne

My food budget is probably around $300 for two week ... for a family of 7, including two adolescent boys.

I plan out the meals for a week at a time and try to shop only about once a week. That cuts down on time spent at the store, plus there's less chances for impulse buys.

Things like whole wheat pasta, brown rice, beans (I get canned because it's easier than dried, and usually less than $1 a can), chicken, 81% ground beef (you can drain some of the grease off if you like), fresh carrots, broccoli, potatoes, onions, and other veggies when they are a good price, fruit that is a good price (you can find apples for $1 a pound quite often), frozen veggies, store brand whole wheat bread (or look for an outlet store like Franz near you), canned tuna, oats or cracked or creamy wheat for hot cereal, or store-brand cold cereals that are lower on sugar, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and more can easily feed your family without breaking the bank.

I also suggest looking into the WIC program, as others have said. The income limits for it are pretty reasonable, and they also will teach you how to shop for healthy choices. It's a great program

Athijade

You can do it. I was able to reduce my grocery bill from $100+ a week to about $40-$50 a week depending on what I am buying. The ways I have done this are:

- Eating more vegetarian meals OR making the meat the side instead of the main (thus needing less meat)
- Buying my vegetables and fruit in season
- If I can't get vegetables in season, I buy them frozen
- I compare prices when I shop and sometimes buy the store brand (depending what it is)
- Make a list, check it twice, and stick to it!
- Plan your meals ahead of time
- Shop less often
- Keep a good running inventory of what you have on hand and don't buy more until you need it (or a really good sale)
- Don't buy the premade stuff (ex. don't buy the bottled marinade but make your own)
- Coupons!