Think it's too expensive to eat healthy?

nikinyx6

You've gotta shop around to eat healthy 'on the cheap' My local Save-Easy puts all of it's meats and produce on for 1/2 price after 2 days in store ....wallet saver!

ChaseAlder

Some healthy things are cheaper than processed foods (fresh fruits and vegetables mostly) and then there are very expensive healthy foods that will quickly drain your wallet if you go through it fast enough (agave nectar, high quality beef/fish, organic food, flax seed, fresh spices, and pretty much every protein supplement, etc..) It's really a matter of choosing the things that are cost effective and skipping the things that are super expensive.

For example, we love making soups and stews out of fresh produce, chicken breasts, and white beans... very inexpensive, filling, and nutritionally packed. I'm trying to get my husband to cut down on his protein powder intake, the flax seed he puts in every shake, and some of the things he uses a lot like kalamata olives and whole nuts, which are all really expensive. Some of the ingredients we use can be eliminated without negatively affecting the meal, it's just a pain trying to convince my husband of that... he wants every nutritional "advantage" thrown into every meal.

When it comes down to it, you just have to find the right healthy stuff that doesn't drain your wallet. Stay away from the expensive ingredients and fill your basket with fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats, and other good stuff.

evansrabbitranch

Hmm, I can take my family to McDonalds and get 8 doubles for around $9, no fries, 1 value drink at like $1. The most I have ever spent eating at a fast food place is $16 for my family of 5. I am in MO. Mind we RARELY buy meals. But for that same amount I can make 3 meals at home so....yeah it can be cheaper to eat at home. But if you are on the road and your choice is a $1-2 burger or a $4-7 salad....I'd take the burger. Its not about being lazy for us, its about enjoying time out as a family for as little as possible. Since our cooler was stolen we have to buy out because I can not afford $40 for a new cooler that is smaller than the one that was stolen.

bcattoes

Assuming that if they didn't eat that they would be eating McDonalds and paying more. For my family our meals need to be about $2-5 per meal to keep in our budget. Often fresh foods don't fall well within that budget. We try but... $9-$13 for a meal is EXPENSIVE!!! Even if you can keep breakfast and lunch cheaper than eating out (say a very healthy meal for $4 and lunch for $5) that's still $630 a month on food..... what can you eat healthy for about $2 for breakfast, $2/3 for lunch, and $5 for dinner? That's about $240-300 a month on groceries and more affordable (though still on the stretch end of the budget!). Unfortunately it means a lot more Spaghetti Os and a lot less chicken breast.

No way are Spaghetti-O's ever going to be a better value than making your own spaghetti. Spaghetti with a tomato based sauce is very healthy.

Marll

Depending on the area I can see the prices being that high. While I haven't gone to a McDonalds in a while, last time I went to Wendy's here in the Seattle area, for 2 meals (burger, fries, drink), kids meal (chicken tenders and milk) and 1 extra burger it cost $24

Eating healthy may cost more up front but the supplies will last longer and the cost is spread out over time. I just pre-ordered 1/2 of a grass fed cow with a local farm here. I'll pay about $1200 up front, but will get a couple 100 lbs of meat, and all cuts end up costing about $4/lb total...even for steaks, prime rib, etc.

arizonaladybug

has anyone seen the price of chicken breast and fish lately. its ridiculous.but I do agree that eating out is way more expensive fast food or not. i would love to eat more fish .. I just dont know how to cook it all that great. Mc donalds looks so gross in that picture !