Conclusion: We have 3 levels of Grocery shopping

soze

Level III: I call it McShopping. We go to the store, buy canned goods, purchase frozen dinners, and anything quick and easy. It's fast food, quick reward shopping. All highly processed.

Level II: I don't have a name for it. Here we buy food that we actually have to prepare. Fresh veggies, raw fish, bags of beans, etc.

Level I: This I call Frontier Shopping. We grow our veggies, catch our fish, and everything is made from scratch.

I think I was at level III most of my life. Since MFP and support from my friends I'm now at level II with a touch of level I.

What got me to thinking about this was a guy saying if it was food in the 1800s it is food today.

tammyquinnlmt

I agree with you 100 percent. I'm now also lvl II and III combined.

grouch201

Very interesting way to look at it, but I agree. There definitely different methodologies used in grocery shopping and part of getting healthier is moving from level three to at least level II. Not all of us have the time and/or resources to go into level I...but farmer's markets and other organic food suppliers make it easier to get there.

SassyStef

nicely put....We live on level 2 for now lol I am getting better at making things from scratch as I just started cooking a two years ago when my daughter was born..my hubby did all the cooking lol

I like you saying in your signature...sugar is a gateway drug....bahahha totally made me laugh because I totally think that is true!!

lutzsher

My mindset toward food has completely changed in the last year. I adopted the philosophy of . . . "did my grandpaprents eat this?". I have gone back to the basics and make everything from scratch . . . sauces, bread, everything.
Both my husband and I have never felt better and everything tastes SO much better as well.

hroush

I'm mostly lvl 2 with some lvl 3 to make the wife happy.

creativefrugalmom

Wow, that's a great way to look at it. I used to definitely be at Level 3 until I started staying home. With a single income, I have more time to shop around and look for the sales on fresh produce and veggies. I do make a lot of things homemade that I have experimented with such as homemade Rice A Roni style rice but with much much less sodium. It's been fun. I guess now I can say I'm at level 2 with some level 1 thrown in.

nancymmorris

So true!! One year ago I was so level III. Now I can say I am 100% level II and working in level I. Going to clear out my garden spot this coming weekend. Can't wait to get it planted. Thank you for sharing this. Helps keep me focused on making the right choices.

mynewyorkad

I so wish I could be a level 2 or 3, but I don't have the monetary means to buy fresh foods all the time because they are more expensive and go bad more quickly. I am on such a tight college budget that it would be impossible for me to move brackets.

Here's to hoping my mom can buy the groceries this summer instead. haha

MissDwood

bump!!! On a tight college budget I'm always on the go. I'm trying to get to level 2 but at least I can say I'm actually buying real food instead of just snacks!! lol I guess everyone has their own progress

DianaPowerUp

Great way of looking at it. We used to be primarily level 3, with some level 2. Now we're level 2, with as much level 1 as I can find (organic, farmer's markets, etc). Definately not cheaper, but I feel so much better about not pumping my kids full of junk/additives/preservatives.