Eating Healthy is Too Expensive

lietee

well i live up north in canada in a small town in manitoba and here the groceries is incredibly expensive. Our milk here is sometimes more then 5 dollars for 4 liters. And a loaf of bread is 2.99 and if you want whole wheat your looking at more. I spend around 200 a week on groceries. I wish it could be less but its not!

lockedcj7

I'll have to chime in here about expense. If you do a real comparison between the cost of raw ingredients and prepared junk, then I think you'll see that it's actually much cheaper to eat healthy if you're willing (and able) to do the work.

Helpful hints:
Shop as much as possible from the perimeter of the store. That's where the fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy are located. Processed foods are on the isles so you should only go there to get spices and staples. Plan your menu ahead of time, clip coupons and look for sales. Shop only for the items on your list. Don't just wander the isles picking up the stuff that looks good. Check into food Co-Ops and Pantries run by churches and other NGO's. We have a local church that uses bulk buying power and then divides up the food. $20 will usually get you $40-50 worth of food and there is no income minimum to use the program. Buy generic (or store brand) whenever possible and never shop on an empty stomach. I also feed my family on a lot of wild game. Even when I factor in the expenses incurred, it still works out to about $1/lb for lean, organic meat. If you're not a hunter, check into "Hunters for the Hungry" and other organizations where hunters donate all or part of their game.

Prepared foods (in any form) are going to be more expensive and less healthy than their raw/unprocessed counterparts. If you compare frozen dinners, the healthier varieties are virtually always more expensive than the regular brands. The trick is to spend more time in the kitchen, as others have said. In the long-run, it's much cheaper to cook for yourself. I know it seems more expensive at first because you have to stock up on spices and staples but you have to consider how long they last.

A bag of dried beans costs less than a dollar and will make several meals, possibly for several people, depending on the size of the bag. A bag of self-rising flour by itself is fairly useless but with eggs and milk, it can be used to make all kinds of things at very little expense. Dried spices may not have the flavor of fresh but they last forever. It's also surprisingly easy to grow your own spices in a window box. Fresh vegetables may work out to be more expensive than canned but you can always visit the farmer's market or grow your own. We actually use a mixture of canned, fresh and home-grown depending on what we can get the cheapest.

I know that fruits and vegetables can seem expensive but you have to compare that to the alternatives like granola bars and prepared snacks or even chips, candy and cokes. It really is cheaper to eat healthy.

Shannon023

One thing I've noticed is the chicken that is behind the butcher's case in the grocery store is markedly cheaper then the pre-packaged (Tyson, Holly Farms etc) chicken.

Last time I went to the grocery store, the Tyson & store brand chicken was $5.40 a pound and the fresher chicken was $3.49/lb.

Check it out next time you go shopping.

Phatmomma

Preaching to the choir sister lol!:laugh: But one thing I have found is Costco's buying in bulk! You can get a tub of organic mix green spring salad for like 3 and a half bucks where one little bag at Wal-Crooks is $3.99! You can buy bulk fruit and organic and you can eat for 2 weeks!

cobra1368

If you live in or near a big city (for me, it is Atlanta), there are farmers markets everywhere.

Sometimes their deals are great, depending on what is in season. I go there all the time for produce. I filled up my basket with strawberries, blueberries, bell peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, cilantro, broccoli, lettuce, mushrooms, pears, apples and a few other things, and the total was only around $40!!

Also, go to these places, or ethnic markets, like asian and mexican markets, for spices. I can get things like turmeric and other really expensive spices for pennies on the dollar!!

I was amazed! I just look for what is on sale and I make it a point to use those in my meals. I buy a lot of squash and zucchini too, because it is usually available at a good price.

I've been getting strawberries there for around $1.29 a carton. Try to find a farmers market in your area. You may be pleasantly surprised!

P.S. I was a college student for years. Can someone say "Ramen?" Or, in other words, "Enough sodium to kill about 500 horses per package?"

ali106

Wow great thread!!!

I agree w/ you all!

there are three adults and one child and a dog in my household and sometimes the weekends even more neices, brothers, my mom will come for the weekend so we're alway ready...or need to be rather!

I usually spend about 200 every two weeks and then still have to go for staples like milk or something I run out of...

fruit we buy what is in season and although I would love organic we don't unless its on sale...which is almost never...in the warm seasons I hit the farmers market....am actually considering a co-op this year and starting our garden which will bring us tomatos, zucchini, peppers and eggplant and anything else I can think of...like spices etc...so hopefully that will help!

Veggies I love our grocery store because when veggies are a little more ripe they put them out on the racks, I buy tons of peppers, and squash that way and then use it for stir fries and its amazing! potatos and fruit are there too so I always check that and save big bucks that way...just have to be smart about it and think it through....like will I use this soon, what can I make w/ that....

I buy my grains and beans in bulk and dry its worth it and less sodium too! Nothing canned tastes as good as rice and bean or lentil soup!! The meat, well we are not big red meat eaters but my son loves chicken breasts so I always wait for the sales and freeze what I can....meat that costs 3.99 lb I'll get for 1.69 lb and then buy double....

Milk, we have found a store that has the cheapest milk 3.29 for a gallon of hood 2 and 1 percent so when we go shopping I'll hold off on the milk and then take my son for a jogger ride and pick up the milk later and save 1.99 and get some exercise too! lol....

We have like four markets we shop at and don't waste too much gas they are all close by....but we scan the papers, clip coupons, Iove those spend 60 get 6 bucks off ones....

but all and all we don't do the processed food really, a few snacks for my son...all healthy as they can be lol...but other than that I cook and bake from scratch....and work too so its not always easy, but what can you do....its healthier and much more affordable!!!

hugs and good luck to us all!
Ali

dragonscapes24

I've also been thinking of trying one of the organic food box delivery services, which gives you a big ol' crate of local and/or organic goodies once a week for $30 or so.

hey mehughes... where can I get info about this... I would definitly be interested... Thanks in advance
Jenn

MontanaGirl

Thanks for all the advice! It's just that living off $600.00 a month and paying for rent and utilities makes healthy eating seem almost impossible sometimes.

Yipes, that is one tight budget!! I know when things are that tight for me, the fresh stuff gets sacraficed cuz just can't afford it. I'm guessing what some of the posters say they spend for 1 week or 2 maybe is more than your budget for the whole month!! If you have a pressure cooker, dried beans cook pretty quickly. If you don't have a Costco membership maybe someone you know has one and would be willing to take you so you can get salad mixes cheaper - they have a 3 lb bag of general lettuce mix that is like $2, as opposed to Walmart 1 lb for $3. And their canned green beans are pretty cheap, but have to buy a case. Wish I could send the food fairy your way and give you great sales everytime you go shopping!! Hang in there!

lotusfromthemud

Yes, mehughes, If you have the room, plant a garden! Even a terrace garden will give you a surprising amount of cheap produce. Basil grows like a weed. Tomatoes are also easy if you can keep the giant green marshmallow worms of death away from them. Cucumbers are easy.

And, if you plant zucchini, well, just prepare yourself to eat a lot of zucchini. I'm going to try a tomato plant and some basil on my back (tiny tiny tiny) balcony this summer.

Not to mention, gardening burns calories! I remember being around six or seven years old and seeing the produce section of the grocery store for the first time, I thought everybody just sent their kids out the veg. patch for tomatoes and cucumbers!

I'm also looking into an organic delivery service. . .the catch is they send you what they have, so you don't control what's coming.

Yeah, where is the "food fairy" when we need it.

yoginimary

Yes, mehughes, If you have the room, plant a garden! Even a terrace garden will give you a surprising amount of cheap produce. Basil grows like a weed. Tomatoes are also easy if you can keep the giant green marshmallow worms of death away from them. Cucumbers are easy.

Those giant worms turn into hummingbird moths - I think they are called Tomato horn worms in that stage. They are nocturnal, so if you are in a garden of night blooming flowers in deep summer, you might see one.

I need to go get zucchini! Thanks for the reminder.

lotusfromthemud

Yes, mehughes, If you have the room, plant a garden! Even a terrace garden will give you a surprising amount of cheap produce. Basil grows like a weed. Tomatoes are also easy if you can keep the giant green marshmallow worms of death away from them. Cucumbers are easy.

Those giant worms turn into hummingbird moths - I think they are called Tomato horn worms in that stage. They are nocturnal, so if you are in a garden of night blooming flowers in deep summer, you might see one.

I need to go get zucchini! Thanks for the reminder.

You mean" giant green marshmallow worms of death" isn't the actual name? Whatever they're called, I hate them. They love to take ONE bite of every tomato on your plant. I'm all about sharing with god's creatures. . .they could have a whole tomato if they wanted. . .just not a bite of every single one!

GTOgirl1969

I feel your pain....I have a hard time affording healthy foods too.
Instead of spending on tomatoes, cucumbers, and the like, I started a small veggie patch in my yard. My daughters love "helping" me plant and harvest! The quality is so much better, too...and it just seems to taste better because I grew it
The eggs and milk, (which goes for about $4 a gallon here in Central FL), well there's no way around that because I don't have room for a cow or any chickens:laugh: I go to the local Sam's club and buy in bulk. I eat a lot of boneless skinless chicken breast, and a lot of fish, because my husband is a seafood delivery driver, and he can buy the stuff wholesale.

kmg748

I live in Michigan and only pay at the most $3.50 for a gallon of milk when it's not on sale. I still think that is expensive too.

AJCM

The adoption of some inexpensive meals as weekly regulars might help?

- egg frittatas
- whole wheat pastas
- bean casseroles
- lentil soups
- eat seasonal fruits and veggies
- fish - inexpensive varieties such as sole, tilapia, cod
- eat with the sales - this may seem obvious, but I literally plan my weekly menu around the best sales at the stores

We also buy meats when on sale, and freeze it (not for long) so that we can get a few meals out a good deal!

I also think that eating well is a necessity - it's a non negotiable expense, light heating, and property tax!

With that said, there is no arguing that breads, and plain pasta, canned corn, and your basic starches are the cheapest way to go, so I do hear what you are saying about the fruit and veg being expensive!

flcaoh

Coupons Coupons Coupons!!! Farmers markets. Cheap/discount grocery stores. Bulk food places (Costco/Sam's club). These are the only way I eat healthy. A LOT of the grocery stores in my area (Columbus, OH) offer double coupons under a dollar. So I clip clip clip and shop around. I can generally get my meats, fruits, vegies (I buy cheap frozen ones), bread and extra little stuff for about 30 dollars a week. I buy my meat in bulk from Sams club, so i get that about every 2 weeks. It is hard, but you can do it!

elliott062907

here's what I have started doing. Local farmers market, buy in bulk and seperate at home to freeze, lay off high fatty meats, they cost more...

Coupons are the bomb and don't splurge but once a month on a favorite food.

I have started buying more deer, fish and chicken....

I have a sams instead of a cosco, but they are the same

It is cheaper in the long run.....

jenbar

I hear you. We have learned how to shop around. I am feeding a family of 4 and 2 dogs on $130 every two weeks.
Eggs are cheaper at longs than the grocery stores.
Beans are cheaper in bulk-
spices are cheaper in bulk
grains are cheaper in bulk
found costco is cheaper on nuts and frozen fruit and veggies.
If you have swap meets or farmers markets-check out fruit and veggies there
if you have a save mart-they do price to sell. Fruit and veggies that are getting a little ripe-I got 4 avocados for 69 cents-4 tomatoes for 69 cents-8 bananas for 59 cents.
Get creative and you can do it. It takes time, but it is well worth it.

Today at costco I bought 60 lbs of dog food
6.5 lbs of chicken breast
12 pounds of chicken thighs
3.5 lbs of dry roasted almonds
7 lbs of frozen mixed veggies
5 lbs extra lean ground turkey breasts
for $68
$20 of it was dog food

I got 7 different spices
oatmeal
multi grain hot ceral
box lipton green tea
apples
pears
bananas
milled flax
2 whole wheat bread for the kids
1 gallon milk
cilantro
lunch meat
2.5 lbs cheese
3 lbs fish
frozen corn 1 lb
hot sauce
juice box
lanudry soap
5 lbs red potatoes
5lbs yellow onions
4 red bellpeppers
$38.73

Good Lord! Can you come to CT and shop for me? I can't walk out of Costco under $200! And I just spend $238 at the grocery store the other day, and next week I'll probably add another $150! And I have 2 kids, 1 dog and 2 cats!

cinandchris

I find eating healthy is much more expensive. Boneless chicken breast is double the price of the fatty thighs. I can buy 2 loaves of walmart white bread for the price of one good wheat bread. It's tough, but very worth it, so I pick and choose every 2 weeks depending on my grocery budget. And it could be the geography that makes it seem worse for some. I am in Florida. Milk and eggs have went crazy here. So has real estate.......and rent......and gas......and healthcare.....lol

filergirl

Yes, mehughes, If you have the room, plant a garden! Even a terrace garden will give you a surprising amount of cheap produce. Basil grows like a weed. Tomatoes are also easy if you can keep the giant green marshmallow worms of death away from them. Cucumbers are easy.

And, if you plant zucchini, well, just prepare yourself to eat a lot of zucchini. I'm going to try a tomato plant and some basil on my back (tiny tiny tiny) balcony this summer.

Not to mention, gardening burns calories! I remember being around six or seven years old and seeing the produce section of the grocery store for the first time, I thought everybody just sent their kids out the veg. patch for tomatoes and cucumbers!

I'm also looking into an organic delivery service. . .the catch is they send you what they have, so you don't control what's coming.

Yeah, where is the "food fairy" when we need it.

I'm definitely going to try basil and a few different herbs. I've been reading a lot of gardeing blogs and trying to get a handle on things. Do you go with seeds, or do you buy small plants? I've been looking at organic seeds from a place called Richers, just outside of Toronto.

I'm wondering what the heck I should use for planters (?) My terrace is quite large (about 200 square feet), so i'm thinking of actually building something that would fit in one end of the terrace and then filling it with soil. I'd need to put down some sort of breathable layer though, with some drainage . . . so I may just end up using big clay pots.

lotusfromthemud

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

This guy's book used to be my gardening bible. It involves some construction, but it's even pretty!

kkurz

Do you have an Aldi's in your area? god... my fiance and i get our staples there... frozen chicken, frozen veggies, canned foods, etc... adn then as needed will get veggies at our local Giant Eagle Supermarket... it keeps our costs WAY down...

and we are still eating super healthy... it's all about the portions...

we are planning our wedding then gonna buy a house... so we are as financially strapped currently as we can be... but our diet doesnt suffer... i highly recommend aldi's (or similar) for the bulk... we loaded up a cart for only $65 (and that has staples that will last us over a month... )

filergirl

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

This guy's book used to be my gardening bible. It involves some construction, but it's even pretty!

This looks amazing! Thank you! I'd love to try this, only I worry that after a heavy rain, water does tend to pool on my terrace; it drains out slowly through the cracks in the patio stones . . . a large box system might impede drainage. Probably better to go with pots or plant boxes staggered around the perimeter, and higher up off the ground . . .

MontanaGirl

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

This guy's book used to be my gardening bible. It involves some construction, but it's even pretty!

This looks amazing! Thank you! I'd love to try this, only I worry that after a heavy rain, water does tend to pool on my terrace; it drains out slowly through the cracks in the patio stones . . . a large box system might impede drainage. Probably better to go with pots or plant boxes staggered around the perimeter, and higher up off the ground . . .

That sounds like a good idea - could look really pretty with the right pots and boxes!!

Soniabruja

Here in Ireland is Crazy Expensive!!!!!
Our shoppings will be once or twice a week....
We don't buy veg or fruit on the supermarket....There is an Organic farm in the village and we get one box of veg and fruit delivered at home every Friday.... We never know what's on the box 'till is in front of the house....base on that box I do the rest of the shopping... (€35 box) it'll last for a week or more... We have an organic garden to, and yesterday we planted some potatoes, herbs,carrots.....
I don't eat meat, but my boys and my partner do eat twice a week(more less)
And when we buy meet , it has to be free range or organic...We don't agree in the way big farms feed and treat animals....and you never know where the meet is coming from...We believe on buy locally as much as you can....
We get fish at the farmers market every saturday..Great prizes for super fresh fish!!
I know is expensive an organic chicken(from €12 to €20)
Organic eggs (€1.90/€2.20 for half dozen)
.........................................
.......................................
But we love food, it' s a pleasure to us to eat good and healthy....
So we spend more money in food than anything ells!!!
We don't have cable, only 4 channels; we don't drink,(only in some occasions); we don't smoke(€7.50 for 20 cigarettes!!!)
So my point is that you can eat healthy if you look at your local farms, farmers markets, and is no much expensive than big supermarkets, and you'll know where your food is coming from!!
And if you drink and smoke, do less!! you will save for good food, and you'll be healthier!!!!
Take care
Peace&Love:flowerforyou:
Sonia

Helawat

Too bad Las Vegas doesn't have a farmer's market, local farms, or places for me to grow fruits and veggies. I'm in a lose-lose situation :sad:

Soniabruja

I fund 3 farmers markets in Las Vegas!!
Go to Google and look for farmers markets in Las Vegas....
I hope there not to far from you!!
Good luck :flowerforyou:
Sonia

TwistedLiquid

The best way to save money eating healthy i have found is simple, here is a break down:

1. Find the best deals in your erea for grains, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and what have you.

2. Create a spreadsheet with all the prices of these produce.

3. Create a list of the meals you want to eat.

4. Now calculate how much each meal would cost.

5. Tweak the meals to add cheaper products without dramatically changes its taste

6. Plan your meals ahead up until your next paycheck, adding the less expensive meals more frequently to meet your budget needs.

I found this to help me in many ways.
1. Cuts costs of driving back and forth to the groccery store.
2. Allows you to know exactly how much money you will spend
3. Adds variety to your meals throughout the week.
4. keeps you from asking "what are we gonna eat today, im bored of everything"
5. Most importantly Im not over spending on spontaneous ideas for meals.

hope this helps you save as much as its helped me.

Here is a few examples of variations.
Mon. Chicken
Tues. Beef
Wed. Pasta
Thur: Fish
Fri. Chicken
Sat. Beef
Sun: Fish

Chicken:
w/Mac and veggies (mix and varie the veggies)
w/Rice and baked potatoe
Breaded Chicken and Rice (add variations of rice)
chopped chicken in idaho potatoe. (varie spices)
w/bell peppers, onions, and a bit of asian sauce.

Beef:
w/Rice and Veggies
w/mashed potatoes
w/broccoli, carrots and asian sauce
Healthy ground beef burgers and tortilla chips.
Hotdogs w/ chile beans

Pasta:
w/alfredo sauce
salads
spaghetti
ravioli

Fish:
coctails
fillets
breaded
tacos

Other:
Fried Rice (mixed Veggies)
Fruit Salads
Garden Salads

I think you get my drift. the point im trying to make is PLAN YOUR MEALS you can't go wrong.

kaiyacali

The heck it's too expensive. Think of how expensive health care is..... then remind yourself everytime you eat that cheap twinkie that's going to send you to urgent care in the long run. Hmmm..... $5 for a bag of oranges or 20cents for HoHos and a $10,000 hospital stay.

My check is on the oranges.