Impossible to eat healthy when in debt

cramernh

Its amazing how many fresh veggies you can get for $10 at the farmer's market! That coupled with some rice and a lean protein makes one amazing stirfry! and instead of buying your sauces at the grocery store, head to the Asian or European food stores. Same or better quality stir fry sauces for much cheaper!

or to save even more money - make your own sauces...

netchik

Expensive organic vegetables are 7 to 8 times more likely to make you sick from bacteria. And multiple studies have found they do not have higher nutrient content.

Us organic converts are not looking at the bacteria. For the meat, we are looking for animals who haven't been injected with hormones to speed up their development, that they are free from antibiotics, and for the fruit and veg that we are limited the pesticides we ingest.

For some of us (like my family) it was a very expensive switch but 100% for health reasons.

I sympathise with the OP because I'm in the same position, but I've cut back on other things instead, and changed the way we eat in terms of portions etc. We also grow some of our own veg when we can, organically. That's not easy (especially with this summer's slug-fest), and it's made me appreciate why organically produced food is so much more expensive.

The organic market in the UK is shrinking. Don't know about the US! Unfortunately I just have to wait and see what happens.

pixtotts

it is possible... its all about what your trying to cook... where you buy ingredients, and how well you plan things..
markets are the way to go i could buy the meat and veg for a stew for £10 stewing steak - swede, potatoes, carrots, leek, parsnip, onion, others i cant think of right now...and have veg left over for the rest of the week... and it would make a whole pot, it would do me loads of meals (it was just me and the bloke but he wasnt a fan so id usually do him something else) id have some fresh keep some for the next day and freeze a load.

eating in can be as good as eating out! to think that it cant is just silly open a few cook books, you dont need expensive ingredients to make food which tastes just as good!
x

lwagnitz

Take this to your wife... I went shopping today and thought of this post. I spent $150, but keep in mind I REALLY needed to stock up, we were dangerously low. Most of the stuff will last a month or so, maybe stock back up on a few fresh fruit and veggies... but this is what I had:

5 nectarines
5 apples
whole watermelon
2 backs black beans
2 loafs of bread
4 bags of corn tortillas
20 bananas
olive oil
nectresse (a natural 0 calorie sweetner by splenda)
nectresse packet
2 large cans of tuna
large nutella
large peanut butter
large bag of almonds
4 large sweet potatoes
boysenberry syrup
black olives
cinnamon sticks
2 crystal light pitcher drink mixes
3lbs tilapia
1lb shrimp
4 bags frozen veggies (99cents each, bam)
organic falx seed waffles - never had these before, thought I'd try. looked interesting
1 Half Gallon Almond milk
1 half gallon 1/2 almond 1/2 coconut
2 "All White" egg whites (32 oz each)
2 bags of spinach
large light and fix yogurt
celery
large carrots
2 Romaine Lettuce
5 Roma tomatoes
16 oz Mushrooms
1 lb brussel sprouts
2 cucumbers
1 zucchinis
bag of baby carrots
green onions
asparagus
18 eggs
Mayo
strawberries
2 containers raspberries
5 limes
2 red peppers
2 green peppers
2 local jams
pickles
sauerkraut
margarine
garlic
4 yellow onions
Valentina hot sauce
Orzo noodles.

buzzcockgirl

I've found that shopping at the Asian Market or Mexican Markets ( I live in an area of CA where there are a lot of different kinds of stores) saves a TON of money! The Asian Market has all the good little sauces and marinades that I like, waaay cheaper than a Safeway or local chain grocery. Same for their produce and things like rice, etc. Examples: I can buy bokchoy at 50c / lb in stead of $2.99 like at the store, or my favorite shiritaki noodles for $1/bag instead of $2.49/bag! All produce is less $
The Mexican market RULES! Produce is SOOO inexpensive! A large container of strawberries was 99cents last week, compared to $2.99 at Safeway. Large zuchinni- $0.69/lb instead of $1.99/lb. Fresh herb bunches, 3/$1.00 instead of $1 each. I get all of my produce at these markets... you can really stock up!

This whole lot was only about $12-13 ... I was so proud, I took a pic! There's enough potatoes and leeks and an onion there to make a huge pot of potato leek soup- enough for about 8 servings (2-3 days worth!) Strawberries, pears, bananas, sweet potatoes, zucchini, squash, grapes, apples, lettuce, cilantro... ALL FOR ONLY $12-$13!! There is enough here to eat for 5 days or so, meals, snacks, etc... It can be done!!

locaoca

OP: Honestly I have read pages 1-8, 13-14 and most of what people said are great ideas to save money. But I as I read I thought 2 things...
1. I am disabled (and have several dietary issues wheat and dairy mostly) and only DH works. My son is autistic (17), so I get picky eaters. He has problems with textures and chewiness, some food make him gag and throw up if we force him. He only eats frozen pizza and pizza rolls (I usually buy when BOGO). He doesn't eat vegetables or fruit. Only recently started to try ribs and steak. I spend $200 minimum a week on food ($120 just on my two kids) because I can. But if something happened and I needed to cut that budget I would follow everything people have posted here. I know I could cut the budget to 80-100 week if I wanted to. I am lucky that I don't have to cut back.
2. If I was in your position I would make my spouse do the grocery shopping. I did it once when he was complaining I was spending to much. DH ended up spending over $400, he has never said anything to me about budget again. It would help if she understood what things cost. And if she is still resistant to change her diet to fit the budget, then maybe you guys should go to a financial counselor or debt resolution counselor (most states offer this at low cost or free). As to picky kids, depending on age, you're the parent. You're in charge of them. You have to tell them what is happening. Believe it or not kids understand financial issues and will be comprising if they are older.