Why is healthy eating so expensive?

andivaclavicek

For me, where I shop is key. It's all about Wegmans and Trader Joe's. I'm spending so much less AND eating better.

GnochhiGnomes

Don't bother buying quorn, it's overpriced. I get dried soya protein from holland and barret for a huge bag and half the price! Same stuff!

Soya protein =/= Quorn.

taunto

I'm from PEI, it's an Island on the east cost of Canada, takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from end to end.

I know folks living in remote areas like islands (can this be considered remote area?) usually have to pay a higher amount and bravo to you for still trying to eat healthy despite the higher food costs. However, there are always ways around it. I live in MI and in Mackinaw Island in MI everything is expensive and the worst part is, I used to travel 4 hours just to get my ethnic spices. The fruits here are expensive + most of the fruits that come from southern states are tasteless in MI because they're picked before they're ripe (for longer travel and shelf life). I managed to make it work. Beans, chicken drumsticks, LENTILS etc. You have to get creative with your food and if you're poor enough you WILL get creative. Don't pay extra dollars for the label "organic". Don't buy minute rice (Rice is fairly easy to cook). If you got local farmers market, check them out. Even Mackinaw had one in summer.

opuntia

What about coupons? We don't really have them in the UK, at least not to the extent that Americans seem to have them, but I'm often reading about Americans who collect coupons and use them to pay for the majority of their grocery shopping. Are they also an option in Canada?

contingencyplan

Depending on what you do to eat healthy, it isn't. Here's how I keep my shopping bills cheap-o while eating healthy. My staples:

Whole grain pasta
Brown rice
Lentils
Canned no salt added tomatoes
Spinach leaves
Big bag of frozen tilapia
Coconut oil
Bananas
Granny Smith Apples
Jar of minced garlic in water
Store brand whole grain bread
Natural peanut butter
Real fruit jelly
Large bags of mixed frozen vegetables
Boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen, large bag)
Sweet potatoes
Many healthy cereals
Old fashioned oats

magj0y

@iiEllie

Mind if I ask where you are from? Sounds so crazy high there!
What are the prices for rice, beans, oats, and such? Those are my staples xD
Curious

I'm from PEI, it's an Island on the east cost of Canada, takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from end to end.

Rice, beans, oats - It depends what kind you're buying, a large box of brown min rice is 12$ Haha.
Most of the beans are only canned, those are pretty cheap, 2-3$ a can depending on the bean.
I just bought two bags of quick oats, 1pound bags, 7$ for two.

How much is a medium dominos pizza or quarter lb meal at McD's? And wouldn't driving to the mainland to buy food there cut costs, especially if you carpool with other people. I'm sure the cost of gas would off set the cost.

iiiEllie

I'm from PEI, it's an Island on the east cost of Canada, takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from end to end.

I know folks living in remote areas like islands (can this be considered remote area?) usually have to pay a higher amount and bravo to you for still trying to eat healthy despite the higher food costs. However, there are always ways around it. I live in MI and in Mackinaw Island in MI everything is expensive and the worst part is, I used to travel 4 hours just to get my ethnic spices. The fruits here are expensive + most of the fruits that come from southern states are tasteless in MI because they're picked before they're ripe (for longer travel and shelf life). I managed to make it work. Beans, chicken drumsticks, LENTILS etc. You have to get creative with your food and if you're poor enough you WILL get creative. Don't pay extra dollars for the label "organic". Don't buy minute rice (Rice is fairly easy to cook). If you got local farmers market, check them out. Even Mackinaw had one in summer.

We have a farmers market, I had said early, the prices are 2-3 times higher than in store. - Chicken here, 30$ for 6 breasts. Because we're on an island it's 45$ by bridge to even leave. - Fruit here is INSANELY expensive, half a pint of blackberries is 4.99 - Bananas are about the only cheap fruit. Meat is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. - When not on sale 5$ for a pound of chicken thighs when you catch the deals.

tinabell153

Look for deals at different stores! And also try Coupon.com for coupons or the company brand websites and facebook pages. They always have a promotion going on.

iiiEllie

@iiEllie

Mind if I ask where you are from? Sounds so crazy high there!
What are the prices for rice, beans, oats, and such? Those are my staples xD
Curious

I'm from PEI, it's an Island on the east cost of Canada, takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from end to end.

Rice, beans, oats - It depends what kind you're buying, a large box of brown min rice is 12$ Haha.
Most of the beans are only canned, those are pretty cheap, 2-3$ a can depending on the bean.
I just bought two bags of quick oats, 1pound bags, 7$ for two.

How much is a medium dominos pizza or quarter lb meal at McD's?

I have no clue, I haven't eating at McDs since highschool, and dominos is horrible. Our fast food is overpriced as hell as well here though. But then you look at the few healthy options for eating out we have and it ends up costing 35$ for two people.

Kryssaxo

It's really disappointing to be on a website were people are supposed to support you and then ask you about fast food prices. Is that an intentional slap in the face or just people trying to be rude and encourage us to buy that over healthier options?

Drop_it_Like_Its_Hawt

I can understand the frustration. My husband is out of work right now, and it's been tough making sure our fridge is stocked with lean meats, fresh produce, etc. instead of the cheap TV dinners and ramen (or fatter/cheaper cuts of meat). Plus it doesn't help that we're in an expensive area, where groceries tend to run high. I end up driving a little farther to a canned food outlet to get the non-perishable stuff like brown rice, low-sodium soups, etc, clip coupons when I can and just really watch for the produce & meat/fish deals in the weekly flyer to make sure I'm getting the best deal. Sometimes it takes an extra trip or two to get the right prices, but it's often worth it.

meggonkgonk

Try adding your "going out to eat" budget into your groceries

framingthewheels

We buy frozen chicken and put it in the crockpot with inexpensive ingredients like corn, beans, salsa or barbecue sauce. A few breasts will create a fair amount of food and have enough for leftovers. My husband and I go meatless once a week and the crockpot is a godsend for that as well. A few kinds of beans, can of tomatoes, jar of salsa and bag of frozen corn create a hearty meal that will make great leftovers (tacos, egg scrambles) later in the week. Beans are a great way to get in fiber and protein without spending a lot of money.

WaterBunnie

Would you rather pay slightly more now, or alot later on when you're having to fork over thousands in health care costs after years of eating tv dinners. Think of it that way.

That doesn't work if you live in a country where you have a NHS. :ohwell:

It does if you factor in lack of earning power if you have to give up working early due to poor health!


I'm spending much less now I'm not eating as many calories or buying chocolate, biscuits etc at all.

magj0y

It's really disappointing to be on a website were people are supposed to support you and then ask you about fast food prices. Is that an intentional slap in the face or just people trying to be rude and encourage us to buy that over healthier options?

I think pointing out that raw bulk foods typically cost less than prepacked stuff that has less servings. That is all.

taunto

It's really disappointing to be on a website were people are supposed to support you and then ask you about fast food prices. Is that an intentional slap in the face or just people trying to be rude and encourage us to buy that over healthier options?

The reason it was asked was because if the health foods are costing so much AND the fast foods are costing so much, then either way you're paying alot so, and this I'm sure you will consider rude too, suck it up and deal with higher cost or move.

I came from another country where I can spend $10 and buy an entire months grocery for me and another person and eat very well. You have no idea how much it hurt when I had to pay 100 to 200 a month for groceries. But you have to adopt to your surroundings. You have to find ways. I had to find ways to lower my grocery bill because if I kept buying healthy food at normal cost I would be broke and if I ate outside or unhealthy everyday I would be 600 lbs now.

Nobody is trying to slap you in the face, this is a discussion and to be honest, you're getting extremely defensive over nothing

melsinct

You do realize that pricing like that doesn't exist everywhere right?

The first picture alone, strawberries where I'm from are 3.99$ a pound when ON SALE.
1 pound of lean ground beef is 8$ when ON SALE
Everything on that list is at least two times more expensive, up to 4 times more expensive where I'm located.

As the pictures go on the items are even more expensive here. Ground turkey - I might as well cut off my arm and trade it instead of paying 12$ for it. I WISH we had prices like that.

I am *extremely* familiar with PEI and really, the prices there aren't much different than in Nova Scotia. For instance, at the Atlantic Superstore you can get the same $6/lb haddock filets and $5/lb chicken breast that you can get in Halifax. Chicken is always expensive in the Maritimes compared to the US, but your seafood is infinitely cheaper than most places in the US. Like anyone on a budget, buy what fits the budget. I can't afford to eat tenderloin steaks regularly, so I don't. If chicken breast is too expensive for you, eat it as a treat, not regularly.

iiiEllie

Your prices in NS are MUCH cheaper than here.

Our chicken breast is no where near 5$ When it's on sale it IS 5.49 a pound. Otherwise it's double that.
A head of lettuce at our superstore is 3.99
Berries are horribly overpriced even though we grow most of them here.

When you get into healthy options it cost a ton more.

NS has a lot more options for shopping than we do. Cosco for example, which we are expecting here next year (yay)

Oh and as for haddock, we eat a ton of it, where my mother works she gets me bags of 40 filets for 25$ - Only certain seafood is cheaper here, a lot of it is just as bad as anywhere else in Canada.

themommie

I think it depends on what you are buying, where you are buying and how you look at it etc. I see people think nothing of buying a big bag of potatoe chips $4 and a 12 pack of soda $4 and a 12 pack of beer $6 but then they think spending $8 on a bag of peaches, some grapes and some broccoli expensive. I used to think like this also I would think it was expensive to spend $6 on artichokes but think nothing of spending $6 at taco bell for a few tacos and burritos. I am actually spending a little less now because I am not buying soda, eating out as much or buying as much processed foods.....

Halleeon

I agree that smarter shopping (while time consuming) can pay off...

But I say "Fight the Man!" Ever wonder why all the unhealthy food is so cheap? It keeps people under the thumb of The Man (whomever that is to you, big government, pharmaceutical companies, "name branded" foods, etc".) They want us sick (not all of them, stay calm) and ignorant. Keep up the good fight. :P

themommie

Your prices in NS are MUCH cheaper than here.

Our chicken breast is no where near 5$ When it's on sale it IS 5.49 a pound. Otherwise it's double that.
A head of lettuce at our superstore is 3.99
Berries are horribly overpriced even though we grow most of them here.

When you get into healthy options it cost a ton more.

NS has a lot more options for shopping than we do. Cosco for example, which we are expecting here next year (yay)

WOW that is high, I guess it depends on where you live I can get chicken breast on sale for $1.99 lb, lettuce for $1

geebusuk

First off, you need to define what is 'healthy'.

Me, unless I see some real evidence (scientific studies etc), I won't be paying a premium for it.
There's plenty of evidence to show that more calories = more weight.
The evidence towards specific foods tends to be a lot more sketchy.

I'd generally say the expense only comes in if you want the food to be quick, healthy AND cheap.
If you just want healthy and cheap there's a massive variety of things you can try.

As above - cuts of pork can be bought cheaply and you can cut the fat off.
Keep an eye out for deals on lean mince and beef you can cut the fat off.
Turkey is a good shout over chicken to keep the cost down.
There's a large range of cheap vegetables, pasta and rice available.

Consider extra seasoning and stronger ingredients (say some raw onion in a salad) to make up for some of the taste that can come from fat.

3 months ago I was 16 stone. Now I'm just hovering around 13 stone - though am now eating a bit more and trying to sustain/grow some muscle.
One of my staples for losing weight was Kershaws ready meals. £1.25 each (4 for £5); I chose the ones that had 400 calories or less. Fat under 17g.
High salt content; but I don't suffer from high blood pressure, so it's not 'unhealthy' for me.
One for breakfast, one in the evening and maybe a subway at lunch (Turkey breast and ham), consider adding some extra salad etc.

77tes

Nothing is dirt cheap here. There's no regular brown rice in our stores. White only. We're insanely limited here with what you can buy. Our farmers market is 2-3 times more costly than shopping in store.

That makes sense. I live in L.A. area, so produce isn't high and is available year-round. I've always wanted to visit PEI since reading the Anne of Green Gables books. I have heard that living on an island is terribly expensive. It's like that in Hawaii, too.

Kryssaxo

It's really disappointing to be on a website were people are supposed to support you and then ask you about fast food prices. Is that an intentional slap in the face or just people trying to be rude and encourage us to buy that over healthier options?

The reason it was asked was because if the health foods are costing so much AND the fast foods are costing so much, then either way you're paying alot so, and this I'm sure you will consider rude too, suck it up and deal with higher cost or move.

I came from another country where I can spend $10 and buy an entire months grocery for me and another person and eat very well. You have no idea how much it hurt when I had to pay 100 to 200 a month for groceries. But you have to adopt to your surroundings. You have to find ways. I had to find ways to lower my grocery bill because if I kept buying healthy food at normal cost I would be broke and if I ate outside or unhealthy everyday I would be 600 lbs now.

Nobody is trying to slap you in the face, this is a discussion and to be honest, you're getting extremely defensive over nothing

It is rude because I never once said I refused to pay it. We were simply stating that not EVERYWHERE is affordable. I'd like to know where I complained about it and said I refused to pay it. Just pointing out that although you might be able to shop for health bulk foods cheaper, that not everyone can. But again, please point out in anything I said that I refuse to pay it and would rather eat fast food to save money. And yes, I do get defensive because I'm the one living in my area. Not you, so I'm aware of what I can obtain for what price and when it's not worth it. I dislike people trying to tell me that there's ways when they aren't living in a location that I am. When another person from my location is saying the same thing, then I would assume that I'm not the only one with this issue. It's easy to say "Hey! This works for me!" but when you don't know the economy or surroundings of a place, then don't state opinions like they're fact, because it's not so. ALL that I'm saying is it's not cheap to eat healthy here. But we put out the extra cash to ensure we stay healthy. That's all.

taunto

It's really disappointing to be on a website were people are supposed to support you and then ask you about fast food prices. Is that an intentional slap in the face or just people trying to be rude and encourage us to buy that over healthier options?

The reason it was asked was because if the health foods are costing so much AND the fast foods are costing so much, then either way you're paying alot so, and this I'm sure you will consider rude too, suck it up and deal with higher cost or move.

I came from another country where I can spend $10 and buy an entire months grocery for me and another person and eat very well. You have no idea how much it hurt when I had to pay 100 to 200 a month for groceries. But you have to adopt to your surroundings. You have to find ways. I had to find ways to lower my grocery bill because if I kept buying healthy food at normal cost I would be broke and if I ate outside or unhealthy everyday I would be 600 lbs now.

Nobody is trying to slap you in the face, this is a discussion and to be honest, you're getting extremely defensive over nothing

It is rude because I never once said I refused to pay it. We were simply stating that not EVERYWHERE is affordable. I'd like to know where I complained about it and said I refused to pay it. Just pointing out that although you might be able to shop for health bulk foods cheaper, that not everyone can. But again, please point out in anything I said that I refuse to pay it and would rather eat fast food to save money. And yes, I do get defensive because I'm the one living in my area. Not you, so I'm aware of what I can obtain for what price and when it's not worth it. I dislike people trying to tell me that there's ways when they aren't living in a location that I am. When another person from my location is saying the same thing, then I would assume that I'm not the only one with this issue. It's easy to say "Hey! This works for me!" but when you don't know the economy or surroundings of a place, then don't state opinions like they're fact, because it's not so. ALL that I'm saying is it's not cheap to eat healthy here. But we put out the extra cash to ensure we stay healthy. That's all.

lol

lacewitch

my food budget (b/l/d + 2 snacks) is £40/week ( for just me)
i don't know if that is good or bad.
i try to have 2 veges with every meal and a cheapish snack hummus and oatcakes ricecakes and homemade guacamole etc
i make stuff in bulk and freeze portions and have the same thing for a while ( make logging easier and i eat less because by the 3rd day it's not exciting! and then once i have a freezer full i have a few weeks of mix and match freezer meals - but i freeze everything. i but a pack of bagels and will have half for b/fast and the other half goes in the freezer ready for toasting another day!

i never buy yougurts as i don't like the taste of artificial sugar instead i buy big pots of 0% greek yogurt and portion it out with a bit of honey some nuts and frozen berries ( top tip - if you get tray of frzen berries once you open the trays put it into t bag and tie it up this will prevent it icing and clumping)

in the uk check out http://scrapbook.channel4.com/programmes/superscrimpers
some of the tips are quite good such as adding oats when you fry off mince for spag boll / chilli etc to bulk it out make it go further.

i find if i make everything myself it is OK budget wise but if i start buying processed packaged foods you ad on ££
also grocery shopping at a market can save you up to 60% and if you know weights before hand ( i.e plan and shopping list) you can get only what you want and not a packet of however much the supermarket wants to sell you = less waste!

happyfeetrebel1

I have the answer...Co-Op! This lady at my husbands work told him about Bountiful Baskets. We LOVE it! ♥ I encourage everyone to see if they have one in your area. When I initially signed up I was reluctant mainly because of the "unknown". I wasn't sure how much we would get for the money we were paying. IT IS WORTH THE $15! You get more food, fresh food, for $15 from the co-op than you could ever go an buy at the store. Plus they use local farmers as much as possible. They even have the option to upgrade your basket to organic for $10 more!! http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

I love this idea..but they aren't in MN

Makes me so sad, I'd join in a heartbeat!

lacewitch

Nothing is dirt cheap here. There's no regular brown rice in our stores. White only. We're insanely limited here with what you can buy. Our farmers market is 2-3 times more costly than shopping in store.

hopefully this doen't come across wrong.
invite mainland friends to stay and charge them in bulk items such as brown rice and other staples!
:-)

steph2331

Where I live in the middle east because of importing etc the prices are crazy! It's the equivalent of 30p for a chocolate bar or can of drink and unhealthy crap and about £6 for a small box of strawberries!!! Fish is really expensive too if you want like salmon! Makes me cross

BillyPinky

Eating health is more expensive if you take out the staples.

The supermarkets don't help if you want to buy the healthy versions of your favorite foods by putting a premium on them up to 50% more.

Some supermarket are worse than others. Asda will reduce the price of their seasonal fruit and veg but other don't reduce but offer it on 2 for1 special eg: buy1kg of carrots and get another 1kg free. With the best will in the world most families would struggle to get through almost 5lb of carrots in a week before they go off.

I'm lucky where I live because I have a market and lots of ethnic shops and their fruit and veg is over half the price of the supermarkets. A red pepper in any of the supermarkets is 80p but 4 for £1 on the market.

Lots of mothers work full time and haven't got the luxury of popping down to the market every other day and rely on the big four.