Why is eating healthy so darn expensive?

pwicke

It is expensive/ Add in food allergies and its a paycheck! I spend over almost 1K at the market every month. Its the only way really!

1223345

One thing I have not seen mentioned, it sometimes depends on where you live. I have lived in several states, and I was suprised at the differences in the costs of groceries. One state was 5 dollars a gallon for milk, while another was only 2.75. You may live in a costly area.

MassiveDelta

Its not expensive. Proper portions and learning how to shop differently and buy the right things instead of the wrong things. stop buying name brands look for the sales pay attention to what you are buying. Plan meals out before you shop. Oh...and dont even bother trying to shop healthy for yourself and Not healthy for everyone else. Its a whole house solution.

k8blujay2

While there may not be manufacturers coupons for fresh food and meat (though I have seen it happen, they are far and few between), the grocery stores do put them on sale regularly, at least around here they do.... but then I live in a food rich environmnet where there are at least 3 grocery stores within a 1 mile radius of anywhere. Major chains, ethnic, and off the path. I shop mostly either at Super Target or our local Safeway, both of which give decent coupons (and personalized sale deals) on food products I buy the most of.

For a family of 3 (which I really cook for more, because I eat left overs or freeze meals when I can), I spend around $100 a week. I plan by whats on sale, what staples I have, and make sure I have a comprehensive list.

I have done the whole "we are broke, so let's eat overly processed foods until we are better"... and I seem to buy less for more when I do that.

sociologywoman

There are certainly some added expense to eating healthy, but you should also be counting food costs to see what you're spending per meal. I have made tweaks to my budget and cut costs in eating out or other entertainment activities to afford the change in food costs. Understand that there is also an increase in food expenses SIMPLY because of the economy and gas prices etc.

Certainly things like Doritos on sale for $2.50 seems like a good deal, but for $3.00-4.00 you can buy apples for near the same price!! I can buy a bag of carrots for $2.50 per bag...and when veggies are on sale such as peppers etc, I'll cut them up and freeze them in bags to use in dishes later. So the reality is there are not "Dollars" worth of differences... where you start to see huge differences is in the Organic section, and processed organic foods. IF a food is processed I still attempt to avoid it period. processed is processed is processed... and sometimes, being organic doesn't necessarily make it the best.

With that said, there are things you can do, coupons and if you can't find any contact the Manufacturer!! I do, and I receive coupons religiously when I contact them and ask for them.

Since I have eliminated things like dairy, gluten, and a few other things in my diet, I no longer buy those items and therefore am saving money on those items regardless. If you can look for bulk stores, places that sell items in bulk that will help to defer the costs.

When purchasing meats, definitely wait on the deals if you can or look for items marked down. During college I worked for a deli and you'd be surprised at the misconception American's have about meats. If a meat is browning...it does NOT make it bad. Some fine restaurants age their meats for WEEKS!!! Then serve it. Browning of red meats is simply due to exposure to sun and air. Now with items such as chicken and pork certainly more concern has to be taken because of the illness that can come from bad meats. However, expiration dates were set by the federal government for removal from a shelf...it does not determine that the product has actually expired. Such things as eggs, actually when fridgerated can last a couple weeks past their expiration date. USE your nose and well common sense.

Additionally, buying frozen veggies can prove to be cheaper than fresh and if you can't afford fresh -- frozen is the next best thing...avoid things canned at all costs...they are NOT healthy!

Since I opt to try to really eat healthy I do look for things organic but only if they fall on the DIRTY DOZEN list.. (google it), it's a list of fruits and veggies that are receive the most heavy use of pesticides. I don't buy everything organic...but certainly these items.

Again, its about good planning, and keeping an eye on deals as they come along!

JoanB5

I buy the meat on clearance and cook it in a healthful way. Roasts, fish, pork loin, whatever is on sale. We need healthy protein.

Veggies last all week and are much cheaper for crunch factor than chips, that's for sure!

I find salads about to expire, that helps.

Yogurt is often cost effective protein.

Other things, I weight the cost of a gym membership, which I don't have...and eating in versus out, which saves. And frozen veggie coupons are really helpful! Learning to understand my grocer's sales makes a big difference. For instance, you don't get the lowest sale price listed at Kroger unless you buy 10 participating items...use your coupons that week and buy items in 10. It does take a lot of attention and effort, but it helps!

Confuzzled4ever

Ha.. switch to organic.. then lets talk...

But here is your answer in a nut shell..

Because healthy foods can spoil- means less income/less profit-
Because people will pay more for healhty foods- if totinos pizza is more then $1.00 do you buy them?? (I woudln't when I used to buy them!) But you sure will pay 1.69 a pound for tomatoes!
Because processed foods are addicting and not filling, which means you will purcahse more of them. (added sugar and salt is *really* what people like in those foods)

Wanna know why organic so expensive?

no hormones = less milk/eggs produced and less meat on the animals
no GMO = more spolied crops in the feilds
+ all of the above

Every have steak in Amish country? Totally different and so very good!

of course you will eat less of the raw whole healthy organic foods, once you teach yourself how to eat properly, so it should settle down a bit. Plus there are less expensive ways to get these foods. I joined a co-op and shop at farms themsevles.

Beautifulsoull

I'm reading people saying they've never seen coupons for unprocessed foods. I have a kroger in my state and I always get coupons from them for frozen bags of chicken, frozen vegetables, fruits & vegetables. I get all kinds of coupons. I do get lucky to get non kroger coupons for unprocessed foods that I use at walmart. Its all about looking around for those coupons.

KarimeKH

hang in there! over time you'll learn when to buy ie certain stores do their fish specials on certain days. And don't forget to look at a bag of spinach for example and then divide how many servings will be in it and then you'll get an actual price per serving and you'll be happy with the results. When I buy salmon I do it and think hey that cost me a couple of quid for me and my daughter if I make a brown rice pasta with salmon in it. and don't forget those damn crap carbs got you to a place that didn't make you happy!
good luck- we are in this together.
Karime

JayMri

Does your local grocery store have online coupons? Mine does and they often have a few for meat and fresh vegetables or fruit. I also plan my menu around what is on sale. So if chicken is on sale I'll plan a few chicken items. I've been able to cut our grocery bill down by an average of $50 a month by doing this.

imchicbad

I think its amazing how you can get a burger or taco for 99 cents or less, but make it at home, cost you way more. It makes you wonder what's really in the ingredients that makes it so cheap.

KarimeKH

love the images it really breaks it down visually!
good job on the weight loss too!
Karime

shrinkingbrian

Try a bag of carrots for veggies and then cut them up. A bag of carrots is usually pretty cheap. Also, you can get a whole bag of potatoes for a few dollars. I then make baked potatoes with a little bit of grilled chicken breasts. For fruit, bananas and apples are usually pretty cheap. I also like to hit the farmer's market during the summer. If you have the room, growing your own garden can also be good exercise, fun, and save money.

gddrdld

End result:
Cheaper than medication for weight-related health issues.


I was paying upward of $400 a month in medication for diabetes prior to my weightloss.

^^This! Absolutely.

shrinkingbrian

There is a concept in economics called "economies of scale." If you can buy in bulk and mass produce something, it's usually less expensive per unit. If I have a craving for a burger, I go to Wendy's or BK and get a burger for $3 and then move on.

pyrowill

Personally for me healthy eating is about half the price.

Elegra2006

I'm not sure what the options are for online grocery shopping in the US, but here in the UK, I do my shopping online at Tesco and they send me coupons based on what I buy ie. I buy lots of veggies so next month I get a coupon for either money off or additional points if I buy say £2 of veggies etc.

Perhaps something worth looking into?

Also, I use the tactic too of buying items that are reduced and then whacking them in the freezer.

Jlynb1109

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet but I'd check out local produce from stands or farmers markets. I've found a lot of cheap produce there and it's usually organic!

pyrowill

YES

pyrowill

And don't forget, water is free.

iLoveMyAR15

I actually spent way less money when I started shopping healthy. No idea what you're buying or where you're shopping...

same here

extraordinary_machine

I'm just throwing some ideas out there to see what sticks...sorry if these are repeats:
Buy in bulk--beans, oatmeal, pasta, flour, rice, etc. is cheaper when you purchase it this way. Also, we purchase frozen meat (chicken breasts and wings, turkey burgers, etc.) from Costco. We'll also get 2 whole chickens from there, pressure cook both of them in a canner and it makes about 4 gallons of stock.
Buy produce in season
Grow your own veggies and herbs in the spring and summer
Don't purchase "boxed" sides such as rice with seasonings, etc. Make your own.
Coupon
Watch for sales

It's really not that expensive when you know how to shop properly.

MyChocolateDiet

I've never been a couponer but I clipped coupons from the paper on friday.ive noticed the healthy stuff is never on sale the way the snacks and frozen foods are though

Coupons will be your bestfriend. When you see mark down meat usually that means they are about to expire, but if you buy the meat you can put it in your freezer and your good to go! Sometimes off brand items can be higher (by a little not much) in calories then the name brand. But if your on a budget still go for the lower price which is usally off brand. Buy in bulk when fruits and veggies are on sale. Keep what you need out and freeze the rest. When there off sale go to frozen kind before canned fruits and veggies. You can always buy cheap bread and freeze some if you don't go through bread like I do with my husband and daughter. Try to go shopping 1 time, if you keep going back to get this and that then your going to spend more without realizing.

chicken goes on sale pretty regularly from the butcher. the fresh stuff. some other meats too. just keep your eyes open to the circulars as well.

alternatively when you find no sales or coupons on things you need remember that heart attacks, strokes, and fat clothes are expensive too. would you rather be broke and thin and healthy? or broke and fat and sick?

bethlaf

Coupons will be your bestfriend. When you see mark down meat usually that means they are about to expire, but if you buy the meat you can put it in your freezer and your good to go! Sometimes off brand items can be higher (by a little not much) in calories then the name brand. But if your on a budget still go for the lower price which is usally off brand. Buy in bulk when fruits and veggies are on sale. Keep what you need out and freeze the rest. When there off sale go to frozen kind before canned fruits and veggies. You can always buy cheap bread and freeze some if you don't go through bread like I do with my husband and daughter. Try to go shopping 1 time, if you keep going back to get this and that then your going to spend more without realizing.

yes this, and thats not true, ataulfo mangoes at whole foods 5 for 5.00
yes healthy food is slightly more expensive , for some things, but pretty standard price for frozen veg is 1.00 for a bag, in my house ( there are 9 people) we all eat for about 250.00 week , so its not much if you divide it out,
throw out the notion of shopping at one store for everything, thats the way cattle are herded not a real smart consumer shops .

STRATEGY , find out your grocery stores sales cycles, and watch the ads, most items go on sale somewhere pretty regular,
some things should NEVER EVER be bought for full price, fresh fruit and veg, frozen veg.
etc .
stick to the borders of the store , and not the aisles, you will eat fine,
EGGS are still a cheap protein source, as is tofu , for less than (most of the time) 1.80 for a package, i have a fine source of protein for my brood

and always remember when using coupons and sales, an elephant for a dime is only a good deal if you have a dime and need an elephant

eliseofthejungle

Pasta and rice are not unhealthy.

A whole chicken is like, $3.

Pasta and sauce is maybe $5.

Whole chicken and rice is probably $3.10. I disagree with your hypothesis completely.

That's great that this is how it works where you live. Where I live:

A whole chicken is $5

Pasta and sauce is $2.50

The sauce at least has a vegetable component. If I were to add a veggie to the chicken I'm looking at $.50-$1 more per meal.

This isn't a hypothesis you should disagree with unless you live in the same neighborhood and with the same means as the op.

sunlover89

I think it really depends where you live. From the prices you are quoting, it's a hell of a lot more expensive to buy groceries here in the UK e.g. 1 whole (cheap) chicken would be $7, a loaf of bread $3, a 150g punnet of berries is no less than $5 and 2 small fillets of salmon are $8. I've really had to cut back on the healthy food I enjoy but I have been able to get the same nutrients I need from cheaper options or going to the shop at 8pm when things are being marked down.
The only fruit I buy now is apples, cause their the cheapest, I take a multivitamin every day to counteract the lack of variety of fruit (yes, the cost of the multivitamin does work out much cheaper than buying fruit). I buy tinned sardines instead of fresh fish for omega 3, the only meat I buy is turkey because it's about half the price of chicken and all the veg fresh but marked down (no freezer). We also do not have a coupon culture in the UK, but it's easy to find bargains if you go looking for them and are willing to make many substitutions on your list. Making a long list of things is a way to spend a lot of money too, go to the store and buy what's on offer then make meals around that.
You can make a pack of beans and lentils with some spices stretch very far and they are very cheap and nutritious.

Lupercalia

I live in the UK now, where food is generally more expensive than where I was in the US (Portland, Oregon). It costs me about the same here to eat very healthily as compared to how I was eating before, which was a good amount of healthy food, but also junk foods, and eating away from home a few times per month (occasional lunches and dinners).

So my food bill has not reduced, but I'm eating better. I shop weekly. I always look to see what sort of meat and produce is on offer (sale prices) and try to work that into my plans for the coming week. I make everything from scratch, including stuff like nut/seed butters and mayo (which works out cheaper and healthier than buying a processed or pre-prepared food). I don't buy cut up veggies or fruits.

Farmer's markets can be a great place to find bargains on fresh local produce and meats....some can also be more like boutique shopping or something ridiculous. Do have a look if you've got one nearby, though.

You do have to be prepared to spend a bit more for quality foods/ingredients, but hopefully you can find ways to work with whatever you've got in your budget.

JonMB

I haven't found eating healthy to be any more expensive than unhealthy. It just requires more planning and sometimes buying in bulk.

FitMrsR

Um....it isn't expensive. We used to spend £300/month on pre-made processed good and now we spend £150/month max. We only eat meat once a week and have plenty of fresh veg and fruit. We eat a lot of beans, lentils, chickpeas, ect. I make everything myself except cheese and milk...I do buy bread sometimes as well. There are 2.5 of us (my toddler eats a lot) and I make extra so we have leftovers for lunch. We have plenty of food to last the month so if you doit correctly, it is very affordable! Gl

Matt_Wild

Buy in bulk and its usually cheaper.

Its also much cheaper than the problems obesity can cause and leads to a longer, healthier, with less health problems and confidence issues, life.