Going Broke

I try to view this instead as an investment in my health. If I continued eating poorly (but cheaply) the money would probably later come out in medical bills anyway! :happy:

My food bill is lower because I am cooking more at home, and not going out as much. Also, I find that foods like dried peas, and beans made into soup with vegetables is a very economical way to eat.
Try doing more home meal prep.if you can. I am lucky to be in California where fresh produce is available year round very at very good prices, so maybe that's it.

Good Luck! Keep Eating well!

Hey bigdane,
I'm with you on that one. I have never really gone out to eat and have always been on a budget. Now that I'm eating healthy, I noticed that I always go over the budget. Probably more so in the last couple of months. Last week, I bought mostly veggies and fruits with a little milk, yogurt and chicken and it added up to over $50, this is for just me as I am a single person. Way too much. I've been having to tap into my entertainment dollars to eat healthy.

Going broke,

i have had the opposite experience. With my diet i have cut my portion sizes in half.
Smaller portions means that food in the pantry lasts much longer than before. My wife cannot believe how much less i am eating.

I also stopped buying expensive things like imported cold cuts and cheeses.

Instead of buying veggies from the supermarket i took out a vegetable subscription to a local CSA farm. The veggies i get throught the CSA are cheaper than what you get in the supermarket and organic.

You can see the link if there is one in your area http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

I actually found that i am spending less in groceries because of my diet.

Hi

I think amazon has some great prices...if there are any protein bars/shakes or anything non perishable...you may want to look at ordering it on line through amazon in bulk

Kim

We spend as much for 2 people to eat right than ever. :noway: I can't even afford the luxury of lettuce and tomatoes are out of the question, I can buy celery when it drops to under 150 a package. I get my veggies frozen in bulk when on sale or even canned when I can find the no salt ones. its hard. but I like the idea that I would just be paying for medical bills down the road. that's a good way to look at it. I live in Florida and still can't find a reasonable price on most produce. I found even the "local" produce is imported and the flea market stands are just as high as the super stores. I never thought I would see the day when I bought just 2 plums or pears. But on the upside, shopping takes a lot less time.

It is a big change, but see if your healthier stores offer coupons or price match on advertisements. Sprouts, whole foods, trader joes etc usually have decent prices. I live in AZ and have found that my trader joes is actually less expensive than my safeway or albertsons, etc. Also see if there are any farmers markets near you.

Farmers markets may have uglier produce sometimes but that is just what the stores may not have wanted, doesn't mean it doesn't taste just as yummy. I have one really close to my house that is full of produce from all local organic farms and the prices are great.

Another idea is to plan your meals ahead of time using similar ingredients then you will find that you may not need to buy as much food, this has been my best grocery budget saver!

It is more expensive to eat "better". In the long run it's worth it, think of what you'll save in health care costs down the road. It all evens out at the end of the day.

WOW!!!!
Ok.....I am a little over stimualted!!:happy: :smooched: That veggie site is totaly awesome!
I have been looking for some type of health food place around me for a while. I find that health food and .............crystals and dragons seem to be attached. Why is that? Is it to much to ask a health food store to have 'health' food? I dont care what a store sells. Just dont tell me you are a health food store and then not have any food when I walk inside.
Anywho....thank you for the site!