Food Stamps Challenge & Calorie Counting

svel713

Has anyone tried the food stamps challenge while calorie counting? Its were you eat for about $4.19 a day. I tried and failed by about $10/person in this household even using some old food, and am going to retry next month. Also aiming to get 0.8g protein/lb. Its definitely not easy.

If you did, how did that go for you? And did you do it for a week or a whole month?

ponycyndi

Interesting subject. I'm very budget conscious, but haven't calculated exact costs per meal or per person before. I took some recent examples from my food diary, and this is what some of my days look like.

breakfast
milk, 8 oz $2.69/gal avg = .17
protein powder, 1scoop (44 scoops/$20) = .46
1 tbs inst coffee (?)
banana, .39/lb, 130 gr avg = .14
natural pb 16 gr, $3/28oz = .11

lunch
chicken, 3 oz $2/lb = .40
zucchini, 300g (1 large) .99/lb =.69
pesto, 30gr from $3 jar, 8svgs = .38

dinner
1 can tuna, = .69
1/2 large avocado, = .63
tomato, 100 gr, .59/lb = .13
salad, 1/4 head =.25
dressing, 2tbs, $1.50/16oz = .09

snacks:
home made muffins, $1/ doz + almond milk, $3/half gal = .37
(ok, I ate 4) =1.48

or, 2 granola bars, 24 for $5 = .42

Total
$5.62, with the muffins for a snack.

I could probably do it if I had to. I'd give up my expensive almond milk and avocados, and have regular cheap milk instead, which would give me the fat in my diet back from omitting avos. Or I'd cook my chicken in oil for the fat instead.

cecsav1

We're actually on food stamps, so...

I feed myself and two teenagers for just under $500 a month. My calorie goal is 1364 daily, and I rarely eat any kind of "junk foods." My protein's set at 153 g per day. My diary's open, if you'd like to take a peek. I eat a lot of eggs, a lot of tuna, a lot of cottage cheese. I do supplement with protein powder as well.

Also, my kids and I don't eat the same foods, so I'm buying chicken, asparagus, tuna, etc for me but cereal, cheese, PopTarts, etc for them.

seska422

Food stamps are supposed to meet basic needs and you are making it harder to hit the price goal by aiming for 0.8 g/lb of protein.

Protein is the most expensive macro. The US government's given adequate protein intake for 97-98% of non-pregnant, non-lactating adults is 0.8 g/kg, not pound, of ideal weight. More protein than that is good but harder to hit within your budget.

ponycyndi

I think I might be good at budgeting on a diet. Here is what I came up with in just a few minutes. These are some of my favorite foods, and it gives me 113 gr protein, which is better than I do most days. The prices I use are regular prices, if I got everything on sale, I might be closer to $4 even.

breakfast
milk, 16 oz $2.69/gal avg = .32
protein powder, 2 scoop (44 scoops/$20) = .92
1 tbs inst coffee (?)


lunch
chicken, 3 oz $2/lb = .40
zucchini, 300g (1 large) .99/lb =.69
pesto, 30gr from $3 jar, 8svgs = .38
1 tbs veg oil, 2.69/64 oz = .02

dinner
1 can tuna, = .69
tomato, 100 gr, .59/lb = .13
salad, 1/4 head =.25
dressing, 2tbs, $1.50/16oz = .09

snacks:
2 banana, .39/lb, 130 gr avg = .28
natural pb 32 gr, $3/28oz = .22
granola bar, 24 for $5 = .21
1 slice turkey deli meat, $6/28oz = .16

Total
$4.76

ponycyndi

Ha! I hit my calorie goal exactly! With the one calorie I have myself for pilates tomorrow. Lol