Healthy food expensive

shorty35565

Why is this? I have a gluten intolerance, so I notice when I buy gluten free stuff, it's always more expensive than the normal kind. Also you can buy ramen noodles for less that a $1, but fresh fruits & veggies, not so much.
I went to whole food today for the first time and everyone warned me it was going to be expensive and boy were they right. It seemed the healthier the food was, the more expensive it was. And, once again, if it was gluten free, you could almost bet it was gonna be higher than everything else. It's pretty ridiculous. I mean, I had the money to buy it. But what about people on a budget who want to be healthier? That's really not right. It's like they want people to be unhealthy, making all that stuff so affordable. Ok, rant over lol

hyenagirl

I also eat gluten free, grain free. Well, to the best of my ability. I cheat every now and then. I just do best on low-carb, I feel great on it. I don't shop at Whole Foods because it's too expensive. I shop at local Mexican markets instead. They're plentiful in my area and prices on produce are about half of Safeway (chain grocer). I can get a week's worth of fresh food for ~35.

trudijoy

okay, is my country (New Zealand) the only one in the world where fruit and veges are pretty cheap? I keep seeing this topic and I just don't find it expensive at all....

shorty35565

okay, is my country (New Zealand) the only one in the world where fruit and veges are pretty cheap? I keep seeing this topic and I just don't find it expensive at all....

US isn't, at least not in Alabama.

trudijoy

okay, is my country (New Zealand) the only one in the world where fruit and veges are pretty cheap? I keep seeing this topic and I just don't find it expensive at all....

US isn't, at least not in Alabama.

that sucks. I can get a huge bag of veges for like ten bucks at the greengrocer. a bit more at the supermarket.... people here ***** about prices but theyre pretty good i reckon.

JUDDDing

okay, is my country (New Zealand) the only one in the world where fruit and veges are pretty cheap? I keep seeing this topic and I just don't find it expensive at all....

The US isn't too bad - at least where I am. IF - you eat somewhat seasonally.

We've become accustomed to getting all of our veggies all year round. And some things, in some seasons, are pretty expensive.

Superchas

I am gluten averse as do not like the doughy feeling it gives but most product is pretty tasteless and relatively expensive as nobody buys it so live off rice cakes mainly
I hear that you can get extremely cheap burgers with horse dna in them here in the UK as an alternative
Only you can decide what you put in your mouth and at what cost to pocket or health
Once decided log it and if too many calories then burn it off.

Tetonia

Healthy fresh foods are more expensive than what? Not much.... I have found that most crap food is more expensive per meal and/or serving. Boxed cereal, fast food, prepared frozen meals, pizza, chips and beverages.... Is a package of ramen or a dollar menu burger a meal that would be filling and sustaining? I can buy an apple for $1. I can buy a cookie for $1. I can make a salad at home for $3 with lean protein and yummy veggies, I can buy a greasy high sodium burger for $3. But then I will be tempted to add fries and a drink to that...

It is not just the cost of the food. It is the cost of the lifestyle. Eat poorly, be unhealthy, need medical intervention. That is the way I see it.

There are some fancy organic Whole Foods grocery stores out there. Don't go there because they ARE expensive. Shop your local grocery store, the farmers' markets, what is on sale this week, or a club store like Costco. I realize this is not a one size fits all statement. I used to live out in the boonies and the selection was worse and the prices were higher. I had to be more picky about what I got, but I still chose healthy.

I don't buy organic, plan carefully to minimize waste, and for me it costs the same to eat what I consider to be healthy meals that are prepared at home.

shorty35565

Healthy fresh foods are more expensive than what? Not much.... I have found that most crap food is more expensive per meal and/or serving. Boxed cereal, fast food, prepared frozen meals, pizza, chips and beverages.... Is a package of ramen or a dollar menu burger a meal that would be filling and sustaining? I can buy an apple for $1. I can buy a cookie for $1. I can make a salad at home for $3 with lean protein and yummy veggies, I can buy a greasy high sodium burger for $3. But then I will be tempted to add fries and a drink to that...

It is not just the cost of the food. It is the cost of the lifestyle. Eat poorly, be unhealthy, need medical intervention. That is the way I see it.

There are some fancy organic Whole Foods grocery stores out there. Don't go there because they ARE expensive. Shop your local grocery store, the farmers' markets, what is on sale this week, or a club store like Costco. I realize this is not a one size fits all statement. I used to live out in the boonies and the selection was worse and the prices were higher. I had to be more picky about what I got, but I still chose healthy.

I don't buy organic, plan carefully to minimize waste, and for me it costs the same to eat what I consider to be healthy meals that are prepared at home.

I dont shop at whole foods every week. I shop at walmart, but I did notice my grocery bill went up when I went 'healthier'. Not that I eat completely clean anymore. Mayb it was just because I have to gluten free stuff & it IS high.

trudijoy

Healthy fresh foods are more expensive than what? Not much.... I have found that most crap food is more expensive per meal and/or serving. Boxed cereal, fast food, prepared frozen meals, pizza, chips and beverages.... Is a package of ramen or a dollar menu burger a meal that would be filling and sustaining? I can buy an apple for $1. I can buy a cookie for $1. I can make a salad at home for $3 with lean protein and yummy veggies, I can buy a greasy high sodium burger for $3. But then I will be tempted to add fries and a drink to that...

It is not just the cost of the food. It is the cost of the lifestyle. Eat poorly, be unhealthy, need medical intervention. That is the way I see it.

There are some fancy organic Whole Foods grocery stores out there. Don't go there because they ARE expensive. Shop your local grocery store, the farmers' markets, what is on sale this week, or a club store like Costco. I realize this is not a one size fits all statement. I used to live out in the boonies and the selection was worse and the prices were higher. I had to be more picky about what I got, but I still chose healthy.

I don't buy organic, plan carefully to minimize waste, and for me it costs the same to eat what I consider to be healthy meals that are prepared at home.

I dont shop at whole foods every week. I shop at walmart, but I did notice my grocery bill went up when I went 'healthier'. Not that I eat completely clean anymore. Mayb it was just because I have to gluten free stuff & it IS high.

I think maybe the title of the threads thrown people because GF food is more expensive, even here. But healthy food in general is a different story.

Can you get/eat rice pastas etc where you are? Not sure if they are GF but they can be cheaper?

shorty35565

Healthy fresh foods are more expensive than what? Not much.... I have found that most crap food is more expensive per meal and/or serving. Boxed cereal, fast food, prepared frozen meals, pizza, chips and beverages.... Is a package of ramen or a dollar menu burger a meal that would be filling and sustaining? I can buy an apple for $1. I can buy a cookie for $1. I can make a salad at home for $3 with lean protein and yummy veggies, I can buy a greasy high sodium burger for $3. But then I will be tempted to add fries and a drink to that...

It is not just the cost of the food. It is the cost of the lifestyle. Eat poorly, be unhealthy, need medical intervention. That is the way I see it.

There are some fancy organic Whole Foods grocery stores out there. Don't go there because they ARE expensive. Shop your local grocery store, the farmers' markets, what is on sale this week, or a club store like Costco. I realize this is not a one size fits all statement. I used to live out in the boonies and the selection was worse and the prices were higher. I had to be more picky about what I got, but I still chose healthy.

I don't buy organic, plan carefully to minimize waste, and for me it costs the same to eat what I consider to be healthy meals that are prepared at home.

I dont shop at whole foods every week. I shop at walmart, but I did notice my grocery bill went up when I went 'healthier'. Not that I eat completely clean anymore. Mayb it was just because I have to gluten free stuff & it IS high.

I think maybe the title of the threads thrown people because GF food is more expensive, even here. But healthy food in general is a different story.

Can you get/eat rice pastas etc where you are? Not sure if they are GF but they can be cheaper?

I can. Mayb it is the GF foods that is makin it seem more expensive to me. What she said makes sense. The healthy food does cost more, but it fills u up better.

alaskaang

In general what I have noticed is that if I'm just buying proteins, vegetables, fruit, potatoes and rice my grocery bill is fairly low. Basic foods are fairly inexpensive. It's when you start adding in other things, chips, crackers, pre-made meals, etc. (especially when you're going to gluten free versions) that it gets expensive.

AuntieMC

bump

Alatariel75

I shop smart for my healthy food and since I've been shopping around I've saves so much money. I get all my meat at the market, where top quality lean meat is half the price of lesser cuts at the supermarket. The markets and Asian grocers are brilliant for cheap vegetables,

spamantha57

I eat very healthy - usually organic any chance I get. I probably spend about $5-7 a day on food. Which is probably what an average meal at Mc Donald's costs.

Healthy food is not that expensive. You just have to learn how to shop & cook without using a microwave.

wickedwendy6

Healthy fresh foods are more expensive than what? Not much.... I have found that most crap food is more expensive per meal and/or serving. Boxed cereal, fast food, prepared frozen meals, pizza, chips and beverages.... Is a package of ramen or a dollar menu burger a meal that would be filling and sustaining? I can buy an apple for $1. I can buy a cookie for $1. I can make a salad at home for $3 with lean protein and yummy veggies, I can buy a greasy high sodium burger for $3. But then I will be tempted to add fries and a drink to that...

It is not just the cost of the food. It is the cost of the lifestyle. Eat poorly, be unhealthy, need medical intervention. That is the way I see it.

There are some fancy organic Whole Foods grocery stores out there. Don't go there because they ARE expensive. Shop your local grocery store, the farmers' markets, what is on sale this week, or a club store like Costco. I realize this is not a one size fits all statement. I used to live out in the boonies and the selection was worse and the prices were higher. I had to be more picky about what I got, but I still chose healthy.

I don't buy organic, plan carefully to minimize waste, and for me it costs the same to eat what I consider to be healthy meals that are prepared at home.

I dont shop at whole foods every week. I shop at walmart, but I did notice my grocery bill went up when I went 'healthier'. Not that I eat completely clean anymore. Mayb it was just because I have to gluten free stuff & it IS high.

I think maybe the title of the threads thrown people because GF food is more expensive, even here. But healthy food in general is a different story.

Can you get/eat rice pastas etc where you are? Not sure if they are GF but they can be cheaper?

I can. Mayb it is the GF foods that is makin it seem more expensive to me. What she said makes sense. The healthy food does cost more, but it fills u up better.

It's not only that it fills you up better, it's that you're also getting lots of nutrition with it - instead of little or none from processed crap.

Ed98043

If you're on a budget, definitely stay away from Whole Foods. There's a reason people call it "Whole Paycheck".

kelly_e_montana

Fruit and vegetables are expensive where I live, compared to living on the coast or in a warmer climate. My parents live in Texas part of the year and told me they were absolutely shocked by how inexpensive food is comparatively. When I would go visit my sister in Seattle, I was AMAZED at the produce they would have in the spring that we wouldn't be getting at regular prices for a couple of months. I have eaten both ways and do find eating healthier much more expensive.

That's just me though...food obviously varies by location and availability.

bathsheba_c

I also don't get the people who say eating healthy is so expensive, but here are a few tips anyway to keep the bills down:

1. Frozen vegetables are just as healthy as fresh, so buy lots of them on sale
2. Only buy produce while it's in season. The price will be lower due to the higher level of supply and the lower transportation cost.
3. Buy healthy bulk items. Beans, brown rice, wild rice, buckwheat, etc.
4. Meat can be frozen for several months, so buy it on sale, separate it into servings, and freeze.

shaunap3

okay, is my country (New Zealand) the only one in the world where fruit and veges are pretty cheap? I keep seeing this topic and I just don't find it expensive at all....

US isn't, at least not in Alabama.

Unfortunately location has a LOT to do with price. And store like Whole Foods are marketed to be healthy high end markets, so everything is over priced. My best friends sister has lived all over the south and constantly complained about the food quality. In the Pacific Northwest there's an abundance of fresh local markets and cheap options for produce. I hope in the future the rest of the country starts picking up on the trend, but a lot of it has to do with how available the food is and where it needs to be shipped from. Would you ever be able to have your own garden? Even a small one can produce a decent amount of potatoes, leafy greens, beans, tomato, herbs, and a bunch of other things in a fairly small area.

kelly_e_montana

I agree with gardening and I have started that myself. It's also a great lifestyle activity.

When people say "eat things in season," they fail to realize that in some locations (like for example, zones 4 and up), very few things (you can get root veggies, greens, etc. for several months but the rest of the items are just a few weeks) are in season except for a few weeks out of the year, unless grown in greenhouses. Thus, everything has to be trucked there from somewhere it is in season (even apples, for example), making the cost much more.

dovetail22uk

I eat very healthy - usually organic any chance I get. I probably spend about $5-7 a day on food. Which is probably what an average meal at Mc Donald's costs.

Healthy food is not that expensive. You just have to learn how to shop & cook without using a microwave.

Cook without using a microwave? How does that make your food more expensive?

farway

Healthy food is not that expensive. You just have to learn how to shop & cook without using a microwave.

I agree, but this is one of the "depends where you live" threads, and you do have to eat the season & weather, strawberries in December in Chistchurch UK will always be more expensive, and I bet less tasty, than December strawberries in Christchurch New Zealand

shaunap3

On the topic of gardening at home. Here is a website I found on Pinterest that I thought was a REALLY good idea. You put in your location and the area you would like to plant and the websites tells you where, how, and when to do it all. Very easy to understand for beginners!

http://www.smartgardener.com/

farway

Healthy food is not that expensive. You just have to learn how to shop & cook without using a microwave.

Cook without using a microwave? How does that make your food more expensive?

I think you have mis understood the quote, the meaning was cook without a micro wave, ie, cook from basics & not buy packets to just zap in a microwave

Shadowknight137

I'm coeliac, and my solution is simple: stay away from the gluten-free crap. Most of it tastes like rubbish, it's over-priced, and you're better off making your own.

Cheap healthy foods? Easy. Eggs. Potatoes. Bananas. Offal meat (hearts/liver/kidneys/etc). A bag of mesclun salad is about $2.

tndejong

i know what you mean. i dont have to go as far as gluten free. but just the change over to healthier foods in the us is very hard. i have to shop lots of sales and discount stores. i have to try and keep my bill under 100 for two people every week. i can get burgers for a dollar and pizzas for 5 dollars here. no wonder i was fat! but even just lean cuts of meat and fish can add up. all the processed foods are cheaper. i still have to add some to my meals. but better then them being the main dishes. i have to go to 3 different stores for my meals sometimes. i have learned one of our stores sells discounted fruits and veggies. but even apples can be almost 2 dollars a pound. even just normal things like milk can be 4 dollars a gallon. i can get by. but this is the very reason people do not want to get healthy. is expensive. time consuming. and limited selection. i will not give up. but for those who try and say its not expensive. for some of us it is. then on top of the food bill. gym membership. vitamins. and my fiance is using protein powders. so yes it does add up when unemployment is very high in our city and only one of us is working.

karensdream

I have found the best thing that works for me is to buy in season, as many have said. I love to shop the farmer's markets in the warmer weather. I also spend a fair amount of time scouring the papers and ads for who has what on sale. That helps a bit. I have also found that, surprisingly, ALDI has a pretty decent produce selection.It's always fresh and well presented, even if they don't have a huge variety, they always have the basics. It's worth checking out if you haven't before. I guess what I am saying is that is is possible to do fresh fruits and veggies on a budget, you just have to put a little effort into it. And for what it's worth, buying in season and freezing and/or canning is also a viable option. The nutritional value is the same.

tndejong

i love ALDI! but like you said, they dont have much of a variety. but the best place for your basic chicken, turkey, and fish. i get a lot of great rices and pastas. they also have good low cal yogurt too. the fit and active brand they carry also has good tasting protein bars i eat regularly.

silverainn

I live in the Arctic, and healthy food is extremely expensive, especially on a student budget. Potatoes and turnips make up the bulk of "in season" vegetables, and nothing is in season for at least 6 months of the year. Non-local foods have high import duties, and mostly only meat (which I don't eat) and dairy are local. The fresh produce that is available is limited in variety and often low quality, while options like frozen pizza and dried meat sauces and junk food are cheap and widely available. Most boxed/canned/frozen foods are very high in sodium, and there are few or no healthy alternatives. My boyfriend and I make an effort to eat healthily anyway, but we spend a huge amount on it (the equivalent of $1100 USD/month) and live off mostly curries, soup, and fish he catches wild. We grow a few vegetables indoors, but yields tend to be low.

farway

i know what you mean. i dont have to go as far as gluten free. but just the change over to healthier foods in the us is very hard. i have to shop lots of sales and discount stores. i have to try and keep my bill under 100 for two people every week. i can get burgers for a dollar and pizzas for 5 dollars here. no wonder i was fat! but even just lean cuts of meat and fish can add up. all the processed foods are cheaper. i still have to add some to my meals. but better then them being the main dishes. i have to go to 3 different stores for my meals sometimes. i have learned one of our stores sells discounted fruits and veggies. but even apples can be almost 2 dollars a pound. even just normal things like milk can be 4 dollars a gallon. i can get by. but this is the very reason people do not want to get healthy. is expensive. time consuming. and limited selection. i will not give up. but for those who try and say its not expensive. for some of us it is. then on top of the food bill. gym membership. vitamins. and my fiance is using protein powders. so yes it does add up when unemployment is very high in our city and only one of us is working.

I can only repeat. it depends where you live, and your personal choices. Compare your experiences to Silverainn post, who lives in Arctic Norway, bet your healthy food bills are less than hers

And of course some choices are optional, gym membership, protein powders & vitamin pills for instance