STOP saying healthy food is more expensive

Some thoughts, not only directed to you, but to people with these attitudes in general... why would you have so many kids if you can't afford to feed them proper healthy food? Someone who puts their money into their health is not on a high horse, they are probably someone who has made smart decisions. Like we're suppose to feel sorry for you because you went out and had too many kids?

There are plenty of people (I know some of them) who were doing just fine before the recession and ended up struggling mightily after one or both of the parents lost their jobs.

Or, as another brave poster shared, their home was wiped out by a natural disaster.

Poverty can hit *so fast*. People-- like people who ask those kinds of questions-- think it can never happen to them, or anyone they know. But it does, and it can. And it's worth stopping and thinking and working to gain some insight and compassion for rather than judging willy-nilly.

This is a non-issue for me. Food is something I'm willing to spend money on. I'll make sacrifices in other areas if I have to, but I've invested too much time and money in my education and my career to say that I can't afford to eat what I want. I'll get rid of cable, Internet, phone, trips, etc., before I cut back on groceries. I do try not to be wasteful with the food I buy because wasting food is just dumb, but that's about as financially concerned as I'm going to get on the subject.

this is exactly how I feel and have always felt. I am willing to make other sacrifices to make my family have a healthy diet. Plus, really you aren't saving any money if you take into account the high costs of medical care that are inevitable down the pipeline if you don't take care of yourself.

Some thoughts, not only directed to you, but to people with these attitudes in general... why would you have so many kids if you can't afford to feed them proper healthy food? Someone who puts their money into their health is not on a high horse, they are probably someone who has made smart decisions. Like we're suppose to feel sorry for you because you went out and had too many kids?

There are plenty of people (I know some of them) who were doing just fine before the recession and ended up struggling mightily after one or both of the parents lost their jobs.

Or, as another brave poster shared, their home was wiped out by a natural disaster.

Poverty can hit *so fast*. People-- like people who ask those kinds of questions-- think it can never happen to them, or anyone they know. But it does, and it can. And it's worth stopping and thinking and working to gain some insight and compassion for rather than judging willy-nilly.

i mean some people ARE just really bad at family planning. more education would do some good.

Some thoughts, not only directed to you, but to people with these attitudes in general... why would you have so many kids if you can't afford to feed them proper healthy food? Someone who puts their money into their health is not on a high horse, they are probably someone who has made smart decisions. Like we're suppose to feel sorry for you because you went out and had too many kids?

There are plenty of people (I know some of them) who were doing just fine before the recession and ended up struggling mightily after one or both of the parents lost their jobs.

I understand that lots of people were affected by the recessions, but this attitude has been around way before that. I just don't get how people go around with their brand new iphones with data plans, high speed internet, satellite television, new clothes, gas guzzling cars, movie tickets, and tons of other crap they waste money on, but then complain they can't afford to eat healthy. give me a break. I do understand some people actually can't afford any of those things, don't get me wrong there are plenty of people in difficult situations who don't have access to good food and that is a huge problem, but the majority of them... its a question of priorities.

another good way to save at the grocery store is to switch from sodas/juice/etc. to water. saves a ton of money.

i think alot of people just dont understand health very well .

Couple of thoughts--

When cutting out sugary'/carby foods and choosing good, clean food, lean meat, veggies, proteins, limiting my fruits, et cetera I found my appetite decreased. For myself, I can eat fairly inexpensively and make wise choices and cut out all the crap and not put myself too far behind financially.

HOWEVER-- in the real world where I live, with eight kids living at home, still in various stages of growth spurt (which equals amazing kid hunger) all at the same time, it is unbelievably expensive to focus on only healthy food. A bag of apples costs twice as much as a bag of chips... But goes just as quickly!

Having said that-- I am still trying, but I must take issue with the original poster. It is not as easy and pitter-pat as you'd lead others to believe. So you and your husband can get by at the ripe old age of 23?? Super.

Try having a couple of kids after you grow up and feeding a large family and get back to me when you do.

Until then, you may wish to descend from your high horse and consider that you just may not have all the answers.

Some thoughts, not only directed to you, but to people with these attitudes in general... why would you have so many kids if you can't afford to feed them proper healthy food? Someone who puts their money into their health is not on a high horse, they are probably someone who has made smart decisions. Like we're suppose to feel sorry for you because you went out and had too many kids?

I'm the oldest of six children. My family was doing pretty well and then my step-father died. Just like that a huge chunk of the families income was gone and my mother had to contend with losing the man she loved and feeding her children, alone. There was nothing wrong with having six children before then, but after his death things were stretched.

So. Maybe, just maybe, you are in fact on a high horse if you're so unable to see how a family can go from being okay to suddenly having issues getting by.

I used to work for a foundation, it was my job to receive grant proposals and make sure the most deserving people got money, so yes, i am all to aware of how events like natural disasters and all the other reasons why some people, beyond their control, end up in poverty and situations where good food is not accessible to them. I've read countless stories from hundreds of organisations. And thats my point: these are the people that can TRULY claim to not be able to afford healthy food, they are in situations that really are difficult, they have had actual terrible things happen, it is actually beyond their control.they can say they can't afford healthy food because its true. Its insulting to them when i hear these whiny people who actually are NOT in these situations, who actually COULD buy healthy food if they wanted to, but chose to waste money on other crap, don't plan their future well, can't handle personal finance, buy crap with their credit cards and buy **** they can't pay for, and then complain they can't buy healthy food. bull****. they just don't know what to spend or save their money on. they are not in the same situations as these people who ACTUALLY can't afford healthy food.

If I had to hazard a guess you're probably not as aware of most people's situations as you seem to think. But I also know that saying that won't change your mind so.



I've got pudding to make.

The fact remains: Hamburger helper is less expensive than chicken, a starch, and veg.

i mean some people ARE just really bad at family planning. more education would do some good.

Stop. Just... please.

Thank you. For real, I am truly appalled.

come and live in hawaii and see if you can eat healthfully on that same budget. I'd love to!!! I heard Texas is inexpensive too...

I get what you're saying OP. I myself have $179/ month b/c I am a poor college student and am able to get food stamps. I also work two part-time jobs, workout, do homework, and take care of myself emotionally, socially, etc. I am busy and broke and still am able to make my money stretch. Thankfully, with food stamps, people are able to buy fruit/veggie plants and seeds nowadays. So, this year I have been able to plant my own little garden. I have lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, two bush beans, sugar snap peas, herbs, radish, spinach, tomatillos growing right now...all for probably about $10-$15. Also, the local farmer's market has implemented a program where people can use their EBT (Bank Card) or Food Stamp cards to take out tokens for the vendors. When I changed my lifestyle into a healthy diet, I began eating less meat/dairy/bread which I found to be more expensive than other things. I almost always use less meat than a recipes calls for, cut coupons, stock up/freeze on sales (especially for meat), etc. I have been able to restively make my money go far.

That said, there is NO way I can imagine being able to eat the same way now when I was growing up. I am from a big family. Varied tastes and appetites meant that the $$ just never was enough to eat period for the month let alone eat healthy. My parents didn't have the space in HUD housing to grow their own garden, nor did food pantries at the time have anything but old, unhealthy food to give the poor. Don't even get me started on school lunches and the increase of vending machines EVERYWHERE...

I see that things are changing in the US; it is getting better. But, still there is much work to be done. However, I don't fault people for doing the best they can within their circumstances.