Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?

jecka31

I agree that it is cheaper to eat bad. My bill goes up when I'm eating healthy.

bella8282

I have to disagree with those who said eating healthy is cheaper. Just compare the cost of hamburger, or regular ground turkey vs. lean ground turkey. I might be able to come out even if it was just myself, but I know that for feeding my family of 6, it is far more expensive now that I am trying to watch the intake than it was before.

Are you buying the right sized portion's... are you buying from a butcer that sell's in bulk?? You can make a budget work if you research.
I'm a stay at home mum with 2 kid's and i freshly prepare everything, the money i save from not buying packaged crap everyweek has taken us on 2 oversea's holidays. We dont have a overly large family household income, I do have to budget.

So instead of complaining about the cost of meat in your trolly... look what else is lurking in their taking the $$$'s away from buying good quality produce.

Healthy food is not -

rice crackers
rice thins
vita wheats
weetbix
low fat cheese
low fat milk
flavoured yoghurt
low fat dairy deserts
99% fat free hot chocolate's
equal or other artificial sweeteners
breakfast bars
muesili bars
low carb chocolate
meal replacements
frozen dinners
low fat ice creams an ice poles

Healthy food is --- Vegtables , fruit , meat ,fish ,and dairy if that's what you like... but not the processed, fat stripped ,loaded with sugar variety!


I could go on.it astounds me the ammount of people when they go on a diet "or a life style choice" load up their trolly with all thease "low fat" or "low calorie" or "low carb" stuff that come's in sachet's or boxes! thease are the things that make the grocery bill rise!

Go to the butcher to buy your meat in bulk

go to a farmers market or a local fruit and veggie shop to get your fresh produce.

go to the supermarket for your washing powder's toilet paper, tooth paste etc
AND then while your there, Get your staple's

the things that do come in boxes-packets....
Milk(soy/rice/almond),flour(or g/f alternatives),butter(or dairy free alternatives),sugar/stevia,honey/agave syrup,dried fruit,and some good quality dark choc chips. yohgurt ,cheese,ham tuna,salmon rice ,quinoa,buckwheat nuts and seeds etc...

leave the biscuit's, muesli bars ,muffin bars etc and make your own healthier nutricious versions...

just because it's low fat and in a box does not mean it's good for you!!!

i cut my bill about $100 a week! and thats with a son who is celiac and dairy intolerant so i have to buy some specialty flours etc...

It is Cheaper!! I prove it to myself every week!

Rain_Howard

Interesting article and responses. It's been my experience that it can go either way. Yes, crap can be cheap over the short term. You can buy mac and cheese two for a dollar. Making mac and cheese from scratch takes more ingredients, therefor it costs more. Well, kind of.

The key I've found is cooking. If you don't know how to cook healthy items (or make things that don't require cooking), learn how. Not only does it taste better, it's healthier and it generally costs less once you have the basic staples. Learn what is in season, it's cheaper. Bananas are expensive in Oregon in November. Buy in bulk, it's always cheaper. I love the bulk bins at the grocery store, amazing what all that packaging costs.

If they have one in your area look into joining a food co-op, great way to save money. Some locations you can find community gardens where you can either buy produce from people or trade for work in the garden. If you like herbs and have a relatively green thumb seeds are cheap and many of them grow very well in a window box.

Join Costco.

But more than anything keep this in mind as I do. While the food may cost slightly more at times what is the payoff to your over all health? Junk food may be cheap in the short term but the expense to your body is surely not worth the savings.

Eat well, be well, be nice to each other and smile more.