How many people

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  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    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.
  • chandnikhondji
    chandnikhondji Posts: 136 Member
    With not having the money either i do not think it is an excuse. When i get fresh veggis/meat it is mostly because they have been on discount, otherwise it is frozen stuff, because the fresh is really damn expensive. And when you already struggle with your money or do not have lots of month left at the end of money or whatever, it is definitely no excuse.

    Even in the discount and cheap penny markets here the fresh things are double or triple price of the non fresh.. may be different in the states or UK i have no idea but here it is that way.

    I am sure *some* do use it as an excuse because of several reasons (like my sister who does not want to admit her true reasons why she does not get it) but i would not generalize it
  • July24Lioness
    July24Lioness Posts: 2,399 Member
    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.

    Where do you live that you can buy about 80% organic and spend less than $200 per month?

    It is definitely not like that where I live.

    And since we moved, famers markets are in more of the rural areas and I am now in a city area. CSA's are even expensive around here.
  • cutmd
    cutmd Posts: 1,168 Member
    I think the point is, not having money is a reason not to do atkins/organic, but there are ways to not be overweight on a budget. If you can't figure out a way to afford atkins, then you have to figure out your calories another way. Being overweight in our society is easy, and there will always be a reason to give in to it. I'm not trying to attack anyone, but I don't want the conclusion of the thread to be that you can only be thin if you have money.
  • crazyjkgirl
    crazyjkgirl Posts: 123 Member
    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!
  • July24Lioness
    July24Lioness Posts: 2,399 Member
    I think the point is, not having money is a reason not to do atkins/organic, but there are ways to not be overweight on a budget. If you can't figure out a way to afford atkins, then you have to figure out your calories another way. Being overweight in our society is easy, and there will always be a reason to give in to it. I'm not trying to attack anyone, but I don't want the conclusion of the thread to be that you can only be thin if you have money.

    I am not saying that you can only be thin if you have money, as with both of us working, we are not well off by any means.

    I can not eat grains at all and when you can't afford fresh vegetables and fruit (frozen is ok, but canned I can't do).

    Also, people with endocrine issues have a harder time losing weight by any other means. When I eat any grains, pasta, rice - I gain weight, no matter how much or little I eat.

    And like I said we had to make a choice between food and our electric bill. Food and having propane for heat. It wasn't just a matter of making cut backs, after paying certain bills, we literally had NO $$$$ to purchase food.

    That is NOT AN EXCUSE, that was our REALITY at the time.
  • Mike
    Mike Posts: 823 Member
    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.
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