STOP saying healthy food is more expensive
ZiezieO
Posts: 228 Member
I honestly just bought $30 worth of fresh veggies, whole grain bread, meats, milk and cheese. I know it will last my hubby and I at least an entire week....
I calculated how much it would cost to get mac and cheese and chips and soda and crappy foods, I could get about the same amount of food, but a bag of chips goes so fast and it's not filling and makes you feel uber icky. I know that if I bought $30 of junk food, fast food, quick meals - I would not be able to sustain more than a few days between two people.
So, please stop with the excuses that eating healthy is too expensive. Grow a garden, pack some carrots, stay up an extra 10 mins to prepare a meal for the next day. Jeepers Creepers, quit complaining and research what groceries you have locally and what seasons good food comes in season/what freezes for winter when fruits and veggies go up in price.
I calculated how much it would cost to get mac and cheese and chips and soda and crappy foods, I could get about the same amount of food, but a bag of chips goes so fast and it's not filling and makes you feel uber icky. I know that if I bought $30 of junk food, fast food, quick meals - I would not be able to sustain more than a few days between two people.
So, please stop with the excuses that eating healthy is too expensive. Grow a garden, pack some carrots, stay up an extra 10 mins to prepare a meal for the next day. Jeepers Creepers, quit complaining and research what groceries you have locally and what seasons good food comes in season/what freezes for winter when fruits and veggies go up in price.
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congrats on the 23 lbs.0
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I honestly just bought $30 worth of fresh veggies, whole grain bread, meats, milk and cheese. I know it will last my hubby and I at least an entire week....
I calculated how much it would cost to get mac and cheese and chips and soda and crappy foods, I could get about the same amount of food, but a bag of chips goes so fast and it's not filling and makes you feel uber icky. I know that if I bought $30 of junk food, fast food, quick meals - I would not be able to sustain more than a few days between two people.
So, please stop with the excuses that eating healthy is too expensive. Grow a garden, pack some carrots, stay up an extra 10 mins to prepare a meal for the next day. Jeepers Creepers, quit complaining and research what groceries you have locally and what seasons good food comes in season/what freezes for winter when fruits and veggies go up in price.
Sounds expensive and time consuming. Pass.0 -
I like turtles.0
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It can be more expensive depending on what you're comparing it to. I used to feed my teen boys and I those $3 all in one boxed dinners. I can't make a healthy meal for 3 people for $3. I'm glad that your grocery bill hasn't gone up but don't assume everyone shopped the same way as you.0
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I honestly just bought $30 worth of fresh veggies, whole grain bread, meats, milk and cheese. I know it will last my hubby and I at least an entire week....
I calculated how much it would cost to get mac and cheese and chips and soda and crappy foods, I could get about the same amount of food, but a bag of chips goes so fast and it's not filling and makes you feel uber icky. I know that if I bought $30 of junk food, fast food, quick meals - I would not be able to sustain more than a few days between two people.
So, please stop with the excuses that eating healthy is too expensive. Grow a garden, pack some carrots, stay up an extra 10 mins to prepare a meal for the next day. Jeepers Creepers, quit complaining and research what groceries you have locally and what seasons good food comes in season/what freezes for winter when fruits and veggies go up in price.
Depends on how you compare it. Calorie for calorie, I guarantee you that "junk food" as you have labeled it, is cheaper than "healthy food". Also, when comparing equal foods, such as a regular apple, to an organic apple, the organic food is always more expensive.0 -
I like turtles.
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$30 for 2 people for a week?! Where do you live?! I spend around $50 on produce every week for my family of 4. $60 on protein, and then you have to add in the dairy and bread items. I buy only items that are on sale (except bananas - they never go on sale!) & use coupons when I can find them, and I still spend around $150/week for 2 adults and 2 small kids. Definitely would be cheaper to live on chicken patties & Kraft mac & cheese.0
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I like turtles.
Cute!
And suddenly this thread and it's undertone of judgy judgementness is worthwhile.
On a serious note: I bought 3 grapefruits, a carton of strawberries (that's a pound) spinach, and iceberg lettuce on Friday. That set me back $20. The OP's 30 wouldn't get her very far where I live.0 -
I have been on this journey since December. My husband just recently joined me thus me adding more "healthy" food to my list for his lunches. Prior to him joining me I made some of my food different than for my family (no pasta, hamburg, white grains etc for me) Still semi healthy for them..but I have 2 8 yr olds and a whiny 37 yr old! I can not completely restrict them.
He started his journey 3 months ago - my grocery bill went up $50 - $60 a week!! I had to add more fresh fruit / veggies as well as more lean meats, lower fat / calorie snacks etc. I replaced what I was buying previously..with the healthier options.
So...YES healthy foods is and will most likely ALWAYS be more expensive.
I believe a documentary was done on this fact as well.0 -
This is a non-issue for me. Food is something I'm willing to spend money on. I'll make sacrifices in other areas if I have to, but I've invested too much time and money in my education and my career to say that I can't afford to eat what I want. I'll get rid of cable, Internet, phone, trips, etc., before I cut back on groceries. I do try not to be wasteful with the food I buy because wasting food is just dumb, but that's about as financially concerned as I'm going to get on the subject.0
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Reasonable Quality Steak: $26.99 a pound
Potato Chips: $3.99 a bag
Just sayin!0 -
I buy bulk, garden, can, dehydrate and freeze out of necessity due to my budget. I can't afford to buy the cookies, chips and junk food like I did in the past. Now I buy eggs/flour/sugar and make most things from scratch. About the only box things I buy now will be pasta and cake mixes when they are on sale. Summers are really busy for me getting things ready to store for the winter. It's a lot of work but very satisfying to open up a jar of homemade spaghetti sauce in the middleof winter.0
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I don't have an opinion on the subject matter....but I wanna know where you shop???? B/c $30 never last my fiance and me a week. Teach me!0
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I'll stick to digging out ants and cicadas out of the ground. I also like to take my sticky tongue and catch and eat flies, when I'm not taking my mud bath.0
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Fresh fruit and veg is dearer than biscuits and cakes, frozen pizza!0
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This is a non-issue for me. Food is something I'm willing to spend money on. I'll make sacrifices in other areas if I have to, but I've invested too much time and money in my education and my career to say that I can't afford to eat what I want. I'll get rid of cable, Internet, phone, trips, etc., before I cut back on groceries. I do try not to be wasteful with the food I buy because wasting food is just dumb, but that's about as financially concerned as I'm going to get on the subject.
Agreed. I'm also in the camp that $30 for a week of groceries is crazzyyyy. I buy 99% "healthy" foods (with the occasional bag of tostitos or edys ice cream) tossed in there, and I spend about $125 a week for two adults. I do live in the city, but still....0 -
My grocery bill dropped from $250 to $125/mo. after eating healthy. I don't know why it seems everyone else goes up.0
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What the OP has failed to account for is that prices on food, particularly produce, dairy, and some meats/seafood, can vary wildly in different locations. Processed packaged foods tend not to vary quite as much.0
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It can be more expensive depending on what you're comparing it to. I used to feed my teen boys and I those $3 all in one boxed dinners. I can't make a healthy meal for 3 people for $3. I'm glad that your grocery bill hasn't gone up but don't assume everyone shopped the same way as you.
It's easier to buy and prepare the boxed meals, but I doubt it's less expensive than buying comparable macro sources in bulk. It's your life and choices, but rice, beans, frozen veggies, a chicken in bulk are extremely cheap. If you're interested in a calorie/dollar comparison, you do have options.0 -
People make excuses when they're not ready to change and time and money are common ones but you REALLY have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to the working poor in this country. "Fresh veggies, whole grain bread, meats, milk and cheese" do not last the month and they certainly don't feed a family cheaply.So, please stop with the excuses that eating healthy is too expensive.0 -
Depends on how you compare it. Calorie for calorie, I guarantee you that "junk food" as you have labeled it, is cheaper than "healthy food". Also, when comparing equal foods, such as a regular apple, to an organic apple, the organic food is always more expensive.I honestly just bought $30 worth of fresh veggies, whole grain bread, meats, milk and cheese. I know it will last my hubby and I at least an entire week....
I calculated how much it would cost to get mac and cheese and chips and soda and crappy foods, I could get about the same amount of food, but a bag of chips goes so fast and it's not filling and makes you feel uber icky. I know that if I bought $30 of junk food, fast food, quick meals - I would not be able to sustain more than a few days between two people.
So, please stop with the excuses that eating healthy is too expensive. Grow a garden, pack some carrots, stay up an extra 10 mins to prepare a meal for the next day. Jeepers Creepers, quit complaining and research what groceries you have locally and what seasons good food comes in season/what freezes for winter when fruits and veggies go up in price.
Op says she bought $30 worth of fresh veggies...not all on the list for $30...ah well OH and from what I am reading, OP did not say she is comparing organic to fresh, cause guess what...fresh is not always organic and you pay! pay! pay! for the organic label.
I agree too that fresh, home grown is good but fresh from the grocery store, farmers market etc...is just as good if that is all you have available to you. I personally have found as well it is way cheaper than canned and pre processed foods and hey if you are handy and have the time, you too can and freeze your own veggies and fruit. I do eat both fresh and processed but really watch what I eat that is canned or processed and try so hard to eat mostly local but as I am in Alberta Canada, in winter it is harder to get fresh local veggies but we have to do what we have to do....fresh, no matter what you say is cheaper than junk food for you, your health and your wallet most times but mostly it is so much better for your healthy weight!!!0 -
I wish I lived where produce was that cheap. I only buy whole foods. It costs close to 100$ for just one person here.0
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It can be more expensive depending on what you're comparing it to. I used to feed my teen boys and I those $3 all in one boxed dinners. I can't make a healthy meal for 3 people for $3. I'm glad that your grocery bill hasn't gone up but don't assume everyone shopped the same way as you.
You can't? Rice, beans & scrambled eggs for 3 people would be less than $3.00 if you're buying your beans and rice in bulk (and probably healthier than some sodium laden packaged stuff)0 -
I'll stick to digging out ants and cicadas out of the ground. I also like to take my sticky tongue and catch and eat flies, when I'm not taking my mud bath.
[joey tribiani voice] how YOU doin[/joey tribiani voice]0 -
$30 for 2 people for a week?! Where do you live?! I spend around $50 on produce every week for my family of 4. $60 on protein, and then you have to add in the dairy and bread items. I buy only items that are on sale (except bananas - they never go on sale!) & use coupons when I can find them, and I still spend around $150/week for 2 adults and 2 small kids. Definitely would be cheaper to live on chicken patties & Kraft mac & cheese.
Agree! I also try and find the sales, but you know what? Produce is expensive where I live, organic or not. I can get 2 meals out of box mac and cheese for $1. A pint of blueberries is $3, and I go through that in 2 days. Guess you live in the cheap part of town OP.0 -
I like turtles.
hehe0 -
I honestly just bought $30 worth of fresh veggies, whole grain bread, meats, milk and cheese. I know it will last my hubby and I at least an entire week....
Congrats, I have 3 growing kids. They'd eat through that about 2 hours.
Around here, fresh meat and produce is quite expensive. While fresh food is more expensive than the cheapest crap, but it's also more expensive than a lot of midrange stuff.
Basically, we've cut back on a LOT of carbs, which means it's now filled with fresh protein and produce. Carbs are very cheap. Thus, it costs a lot more.0 -
Reasonable Quality Steak: $26.99 a pound
Potato Chips: $3.99 a bag
Just sayin!
Amen!!0 -
Ever notice there are a TON of coupons for cereal, chips, cookies, boxed pasta/potato meals but NO coupons for fresh meats, fruits/veggies or dairy. This is why eating healthy costs more. You cant get discounts on these items.0
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My shopping usually costs £25 a week - think that's like $50 or something? How can you possibly feed two people for £20(ish) per week?!
This week I bought something along the lines of the below. Not every item was 'healthy', but I'm not a 'clean eater'.
Apples
Satumas
Cucumber
Tomato
Lettuce
Sweet potato x 2
Frozen vegetables
Paprika
Cumin
Salad cream
Skimmed milk (4pt)
Mini apple pies
Lower fat ice cream
Tortilla wraps
Frozen fruit
And in my freezer we already had veggie products, peas, sweetcorn, Yorkshire puddings, potato wedges etc. Maybe I just eat a lot more than you!0
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