Buying protein powder with Food Stamps?
CMmrsfloyd
Posts: 2,380 Member
Question is for U.S. users obviously - a friend of mine gets EBT/Food Stamps for her family, she is on MFP working on her diet, starting to workout, etc, and she is interested in incoroporating protein shakes on occasion - she is wondering if it is possible to purchase a tub of cheap protein powder with EBT? I was thinking it might be possible but then again maybe not if it is categorized as a supplement and not a 'food'? Just wondering if any MFP people have any personal experience/information that I could share with her?
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Have worked at a grocery store afew years ago I have never had anybody come thru the line with protein shake tryin to buy them with EBT.
I know that you can buy like slim fast with them tho....
Maybe try to google it.0 -
I believe so... I've used them for bottled and canned protein shakes, also Slim Fast and other diet aids so I would say yes but I'm not sure.0
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Check out the product label on the back of protein powders to determine if they can be purchased with EBT. If the label head reads “supplement facts,†it is considered a supplement and can not be purchased using EBT. If the label head reads “nutritional facts,†then the protein powder is classified as a food, and EBT benefits can be used to purchase the product.
Read more: How to Buy Protein Powder With EBT | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6932811_buy-protein-powder-ebt.html#ixzz1qzeohbuC
It must be true. I read it on the internets!0 -
YES you can buy protein powder with Food Stamps. Today I bought 2lb of 25g Whey protein by PURE PROTEIN with food stamps from walmart. YOU CAN BUY ANY PROTEIN POWDER THAT HAS A NUTRITION FACTS LABEL ON THE BACK.
This is what the one I bought looks like without the 100% in front of whey protein on the front label http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Pure+protein+whey+protein&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1253&bih=644&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=9Bp92UILbhuk0M:&imgrefurl=http://www.sixpacksmackdown.com/2012/07/12/pure-protein-100-whey-protein-powder-review/&docid=pz--hhkihgyHlM&imgurl=http://www.sixpacksmackdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/pure-protein-whey-protein-2lb.jpg&w=300&h=300&ei=2ihOUInoOaPd0QG3jIGQDA&zoom=11 -
Check out the product label on the back of protein powders to determine if they can be purchased with EBT. If the label head reads “supplement facts,†it is considered a supplement and can not be purchased using EBT. If the label head reads “nutritional facts,†then the protein powder is classified as a food, and EBT benefits can be used to purchase the product.
Read more: How to Buy Protein Powder With EBT | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6932811_buy-protein-powder-ebt.html#ixzz1qzeohbuC
It must be true. I read it on the internets!
This is suppose to be true. However, I have worked at Wal-mart in the past and idiots screwed this up all the time. It all depends on how it is entered into the computer. Honestly, her best of luck would just be to try. Worst case, she would have to just ask them to take it back off.0 -
I was wondering the same thing is Pure Protein could be purchased with EBT!0
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DW is cashier at grocery store, she says yes, she pointed out they can buy candy and other "unhealthy" stuff that is considered "food", I would hope they could buy something "healthy".2
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Yes you can. If any item has Nutrition Facts on the package it is considered a food item therefore eligible for purchase with EBT. If the item has Supplement Facts on the package such as on a canister of creatine, it is not considered food.3
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MeeseeksAndDestroy wrote: »This reminds me of when I worked at a grocery store and an elderly lady was upset because she couldn't buy cat food with her EBT card.
Her argument was that it should be considered food because she shares it with her cats.
I've heard this is a pretty common thing.
Gross.0 -
That reminds me of when I was a kid after my parents divorced and my mom was working 12-hour shifts and raising three little kids on her own and we often had these humongous and terrible tasting blocks of "government cheese" and sometimes at my friend's house I would eat handfuls of Meow-Mix, possibly because I was protein deprived -- I don't know -- I just craved it. I don't think we were using food stamps. Not sure. Maybe Meow-Mix is an alternative to protein powder.0
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peppermintpudgy wrote: »That reminds me of when I was a kid after my parents divorced and my mom was working 12-hour shifts and raising three little kids on her own and we often had these humongous and terrible tasting blocks of "government cheese" and sometimes at my friend's house I would eat handfuls of Meow-Mix, possibly because I was protein deprived -- I don't know -- I just craved it. I don't think we were using food stamps. Not sure. Maybe Meow-Mix is an alternative to protein powder.
I used to get mustard and ketchup packs (free) from McDonald's and put them on a piece of bread and eat when I was in college. Good ole days0 -
Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want6
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nomorepuke wrote: »peppermintpudgy wrote: »That reminds me of when I was a kid after my parents divorced and my mom was working 12-hour shifts and raising three little kids on her own and we often had these humongous and terrible tasting blocks of "government cheese" and sometimes at my friend's house I would eat handfuls of Meow-Mix, possibly because I was protein deprived -- I don't know -- I just craved it. I don't think we were using food stamps. Not sure. Maybe Meow-Mix is an alternative to protein powder.
I used to get mustard and ketchup packs (free) from McDonald's and put them on a piece of bread and eat when I was in college. Good ole days
College? Hell, I did that this morning with a hotdog bun just because.. and I'm several years out of college.
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vespiquenn wrote: »nomorepuke wrote: »peppermintpudgy wrote: »That reminds me of when I was a kid after my parents divorced and my mom was working 12-hour shifts and raising three little kids on her own and we often had these humongous and terrible tasting blocks of "government cheese" and sometimes at my friend's house I would eat handfuls of Meow-Mix, possibly because I was protein deprived -- I don't know -- I just craved it. I don't think we were using food stamps. Not sure. Maybe Meow-Mix is an alternative to protein powder.
I used to get mustard and ketchup packs (free) from McDonald's and put them on a piece of bread and eat when I was in college. Good ole days
College? Hell, I did that this morning with a hotdog bun just because.. and I'm several years out of college.
I couldn't afford a hot dog back then.0 -
Thread reminds me of
"EI: Right. I had to get up in the morning at ten o'clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed, (pause for laughter), drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when we got home, our Dad and our mother would kill us, and dance about on our graves singing 'Hallelujah.'
MP: But you try and tell the young people today that... and they won't believe ya'.
ALL: Nope, nope.. "0 -
puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
It's also irresponsible for people to use them to but soda, energy drinks, chips, and snack cakes. But people use them for this type of junk food all the time. I would consider protein powder a heck of a lot better option than junk food.2 -
puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
It's also irresponsible for people to use them to but soda, energy drinks, chips, and snack cakes. But people use them for this type of junk food all the time. I would consider protein powder a heck of a lot better option than junk food.
yeah, pretty much this.
at least it's health focused. *shrug1 -
Anyone can go thru tough times. Although I'd not use Food Stamps at any reasons, I totally understand why some people have to use it while awaiting a job or even if they have a job, a single father/ mother of 3 or 4 for example can't afford to live off a single pay check.
Junk food is cheap and you can only buy so much food with Foodstamps. I understand the fact that someone wants to eat healthy but can't afford it. Protein shake may not make a huge difference along with all junk foods but it's a start.0 -
puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
Why? It's basic food -- unlike some of the other cr@p I've seen people buying with food stamps.2 -
Cutaway_Collar wrote: »I don't fret about people's food stamp choices. Be kind.
Many a time I have purchased an entire cart worth of groceries for someone. Three times I remember a poor someone getting credit card declined when I was in line and I have bought them groceries. The highest was about 170 bucks and it was a woman with two children.
I have also seen food stamp people buying food. Clearly they are embarrassed. They can buy whatever they want. Don't tell them what to do. They can buy junk or they can buy protein shake. It's none of your damn business. NO!
That's really though awesome of you! I've never bought groceries for someone but I've bought some gas for someone.
I stopped by a gas station on the way home, it was after midnight. There was this girl infront of me in the line asked the clerk to pump gas for a dollar. Then she left. I did my purchase and left. I saw that girl at the pump, I was gonna leave but I just couldn't leave. I knocked on her windshield and she got out of her car. I said, how far are you gonna go with a dollar worth of gas, I will fill out your tank. She was in disbelief . I swiped my card and put my zip code in and left. I saw her wiping her tears as I was driving away. That was the best money I've ever spent.7 -
puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
It's also irresponsible for people to use them to but soda, energy drinks, chips, and snack cakes. But people use them for this type of junk food all the time. I would consider protein powder a heck of a lot better option than junk food.
I would agree.1 -
I had surgery on my stomach to help me lose weight.I dont get all the recommended protein and nutrient I need so I have to use protein powder for that.so for some ppl it's not a want it's a have to...and it is not for me to build muscle.I just need to stay alive.1
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I'm not sure if I morally agree with it... but I can't comment on if it's allowed. Sorry.0
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puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
How is buying an inexpensive form of high protein food irresponsible? I can buy four meals worth of protein powder out of the bulk bin at Winco for a lot less than a whole chicken. Math, dude, try it out.2 -
Why do you say that? I get EBT, and needed to know this because I am having a sleeve gastrectomy on the 23rd of October. I HAVE to drink protein shakes to supplement for the fact I cannot eat solid food for 8 weeks after surgery. Should I not be able to buy something that my body will NEED to survive post Op? NEVER assume anything about any one.puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
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Thank y'all for this info. I needed it for future purposes post Op. I am having weight loss surgery on the 23rd of October and will have to have it. No solid foods for 8 weeks!0
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puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
The human body does, in fact, need protein. Protein supplements are a reasonable way to get protein. It's a food, that's why it has a nutrition label.0 -
puttputt24 wrote: »Smh. Irresponsible to utilize food stamps for something like a protein supplement. It's not a need it's a want
Yeah. No this is rude some people actually need a protien supplement to stay healthy just like some people need iron and other vitamins. Your body needs protien. It does not matter what you buy I guess people are gonna grip about it regardless.i work and pay in to link so hell yeah I'm gonna get a card if I can. Bills these days are ridiculous, food prices keep going up.1
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