How many people

Hey Lioness!

Congrats on turning the corner! Sounds like you had a very rough patch and NOBODY has the right to be rude or judgmental. Everyone I talk to these days is having financial probs with many related issues. Money obviously affects our ability to eat well. Why do you think so many poor people are also obese? They can't afford healthy food or health care.

I'm also having financial issues and can't buy top-notch organics very often. But we make due...... avoiding packaged & processed foods. I buy organic whenever possible.... most supermarkets have an organic line which is less expensive than the health food stores. Even Costco has some organic & gluten-free choices.

So we do the best we can under the circumstances. And pray for better times to come!!! :flowerforyou: :bigsmile:

I just lowered my grocery budget from $300 per week to $100 per week because my financial situation has changed. There are 7 people in my house and that $100 has to go far. I switched from fresh veggies to frozen. I buy meat in bulk and divide it up. Rice, beans and pasta go very far and have become staples. I don't buy "luxury" items anymore like snack packs/100 calorie packs, muffins, goodies. The one thing I still insist on is fresh fruit. We make do.

I used to shop at Walmart but switched to a less expensive grocer in my neighborhood that I actually hate going to but my money buys more.

I think for some it CAN be an excuse. It's easier and cheaper to eat junk. But nowhere in your post did I read that you were eating junk. Atkins is a costly plan to follow. Make the adjustments you need to make for now. When things turn around you can always go back to Atkins if you want. Do what's right for you and your family and never mind other posters who haven't walked that mile in your shoes.

I think in a way, it IS an excuse... but in a way it's not. I don't know your whole situation but let me just say this: I buy probably 80% organic and spend less than $200 per month. You can find a way.

This is totally not an excuse for me. It's unfair that unhealthy food is cheap and healthy food is expensive. I just look for deals at the grocery store. I shop at either Walmart or Meijer and find great deals on food. I try for 5 for 5 deals or 10 for 10. Yesterday I just picked up some Michaelina's (sp?) frozen meals instead of the Smart Ones meals because they were $1.00 each!! C'mon, I'm looking for cheap food because my fiance and I are trying to save money. It's difficult, but it can be done to still eat. Just don't overdo on the unhealthy foods

I can go to the farmer's market to buy my produce at a better (cheaper) rate, or to save time I can pop in the grocery store and buy it for about 2x more.

Last week I got two full bags of produce for $18 at the market. Yesterday my bill at Acme for ONE BAG was $33. Organic lettuce at market - 1.89/box. Organic lettuce at Acme - 3.99/box. Big difference.

I use coupons when I can. Mostly on dairy - the occasional coupon for Fage, Stella cheese, eggs, or butter. Matched up with a sale you can get some good pricing.

Trader Joe's and/or Costco are great sources of wild caught seafood at reasonable prices. I will buy a handful of packages and freeze them.

Meat can be tricky. I used to buy mostly grocery store CAFO meats, but now I only buy local black angus meats at the farmer's market. There's not a HUGE price difference, but the black angus certainly does cost more. Because I'm limited by space (aka BarneyS has no deep freezer right now), I have to buy it on a weekly-montly basis instead of 1/4-1/2 side of beef. If I want to buy 1/4 beef cattle, there's even price discrepancies in doing that...

1/4 beef 100% grass fed, organic (Lancaster County, PA - for price gauge) = $4.30/lb (including butchering fees)
Farmer's market price (average) = $3.49/lb
1/4 beef grass fed, sileage finished (greater Philly region) = $2.15/lb (including butchering fees)

Sure, one can buy in bulk to save $$$, but when much of your diet revolves around fresh (or frozen) foods, there are limitations. I read a lot of coupon and "frugal" blogs and I hate to say it, most of their money saving suggestions point to crap foods...like buying mac n cheese by the case because with some promo deal + coupons you can get it for free. Bleh.

Whole Foods Market? Hahahahahahahaha forget that place.

I actually think it depends. If a person knows that they cannot afford to eat organic fresh produce but are paying attention to nutrition, I believe that they should still read labels and hold themselves accountable. There are individuals out there who claim that it's expensive, use it as an excuse, and then just buy tons of absolute junk. They justify their lack of proper eating habits by the statement of expenses but make absolutely no efforts to change what they are eating and can afford. If preztels and potato chips cost the same- buy the pretzels!

Folks,

The discussion on this topic has generally been polite, however, the topic itself refers to another poster's comments in another forum on MFP. Since the topic itself could lead to a heated discussion, particularly if the poster of the comment referred to sees it, I'm locking it. It seems like it has been discussed already in enough detail.

Please remember - even if you feel you were insulted by another poster, it's not appropriate on the message boards to try to rile up the troops to your side and attack another poster. Similarly, if the other poster did the same, we would not allow it. We will not allow topics where posters are asked to "take sides" pitting one member against another. If the other poster's comment violated our forum rules, use the "Report Post" link to let us know and we will handle it appropriately.

Thanks for your cooperation.