Wish fresh veggies weren't so expensive
wellthenwhat
Posts: 526 Member
I made myself a delicious carrot/broccoli/cauliflower cooked veggie combo and had some for breakfast. But for what it cost me I could have bought 3 huge bags of sugar cereal that would last me several months vs a week. It's sad. 
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Replies
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Not serious, I hope.8
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Are you in the US? I've heard cauliflower is (or was, some months ago) expensive over there. Pick produce in season, or frozen. You're not supposed to overdo it, either. 3 100 grams servings of vegs and 2 servings of fruit per day is enough. Oh, and avoid "organic" if "not organic" is cheaper. And precut will be more expensive.
I don't really think you wish vegetables weren't so expensive. Vegs aren't expensive. But you prefer other foods? You can have a little of each, and your taste preferences can change and adapt to what you expose them to. Learn to cook.10 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Are you in the US? I've heard cauliflower is (or was, some months ago) expensive over there. Pick produce in season, or frozen. You're not supposed to overdo it, either. 3 100 grams servings of vegs and 2 servings of fruit per day is enough. Oh, and avoid "organic" if "not organic" is cheaper. And precut will be more expensive.
It was some places briefly. Seems cheap enough now.
Nothing much is in season in much of the US, of course, so maybe it's expensive some places. Seems cheap enough where I am (big city, so maybe more availability than some areas), but if cost is an issue for OP frozen is cheaper (like you indicate) and probably more nutrient-dense this time of year.
Agree on organic and pre-cut also.
Other cheap things (cheaper than sugary cereal, although if someone wants that, it can fit in a decent diet) are plain oats, dried beans, dried grains/rice, potatoes, etc.4 -
I buy frozen vegetables, they're usually pretty cheap, easy to prepare because no pealing or chopping is necessary, and you don't have to worry about them going bad! (most of my fresh veggies go bad before I eat them.) I'm in the US and a pound bag of frozen veggies (all kinds) is usually $2-$3, and you can also get them on sale.11
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I'm lucky because vegetables are very cheap where I live but sometimes when money is short, I rely heavily on tinned tomato, frozen spinach and peas and loads of carrots and cabbage. Are even these vegetables so very expensive in the states?4
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Depends on where you shop actually. I like Sprouts because they have very low prices on fresh produce. If you have one near you maybe check them out.4
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Buy frozen. In many cases it is better than fresh, because it is preserved by flash freezing at it's peak, whereas fresh produce is kept at room temperature (in most cases) and transported. Then it sits in the produce department. I have found I can get more volume for less with most frozen veggies. The one exception would be farmer's markets. Oftentimes fresh markets have locally grown produce much cheaper than you can find anywhere else.12
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Buy in season or frozen. In season fruit and veg will always be cheaper (and fresher) - for example, apple picking season is now in full swing here so a 3kg bag of apples is in the supermarket for around $2, by December the apples will be from a coolstore and around $7 -$9 for the same size bag and won't taste nearly as good5
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I am lost on this one. I think fresh produce is cheap and boxed cereal is expensive. For breakfast I I get the best of both worlds. If I go to SAM's or COSTCO I can get several months worth of good old fashioned oatmeal for about $6.00 I cook that with almond milk. I then add fresh strawberries with blueberries or Raspberries, walnuts and chia seeds. In all the fruit and walnuts cost about $13 a week but I also get to use them on salads too.14
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wellthenwhat wrote: »I made myself a delicious carrot/broccoli/cauliflower cooked veggie combo and had some for breakfast. But for what it cost me I could have bought 3 huge bags of sugar cereal that would last me several months vs a week. It's sad.
I went shopping last night. (Kansas, Walmart, winter)
I bought a large bag (2lb 1.5 oz) of a chocolate puff cereal with marshmallows for $5.98. That bag is 32 servings.
I also bought vegetables and some fruit (not organic). I spent about $28 on vegetables and fruits for a family of 3 humans plus 2 guinea pigs. Some will last us a few weeks and some will be used up in a week.
The cereal is cheap per serving ($.18) but 1 large meal of vegetables would not cost the same as 3 big bags of cereal.
3 lb bag of fresh apples $5.54
3-5 lb (?) bag of fresh potatoes $3.67
16 oz bag of fresh parsnips $2.68
Bag of fresh oranges $4.97
26 oz bag frozen broccoli $1.98 (8 servings)
16 oz bag frozen spinach $1.44 (6 servings)
Fresh cherry tomatoes $2.98
4 fresh bell peppers $3.52
I didn't buy fresh carrots or cauliflower this week. An old receipt from January has a bag of whole carrots at $1.48.
Frozen and canned vegetables and fruits can be cheaper than fresh in winter. Investigate those.
Ultimately it is a choice of how you want to live and what it is worth to you.
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For the calorie amount fresh fruit and veg ARE more expensive. I hate how people say they aren't. If I buy some junk food donuts 1.69 (for pack of 6 at 320 cal per doughnut) and box of cereal (1.69 with 12 servings) that would easily last me 2 weeks of 500-600 calorie breakfasts. HOWEVER, if I buy 4 fresh bell peppers (4.00), one lb broccoli (2 bucks), one large tomato (2), I could eat ALL of that in ONE day and it wouldn't even amount to the same calorie amount of "fuel". So YES eating fresh fruit and veg is more expensive than eating junk because you have to buy A LOT more to get the same calorie amount of fuel.22
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »For the calorie amount fresh fruit and veg ARE more expensive. I hate how people say they aren't. If I buy some junk food donuts 1.69 (for pack of 6 at 320 cal per doughnut) and box of cereal (1.69 with 12 servings) that would easily last me 2 weeks of 500-600 calorie breakfasts. HOWEVER, if I buy 4 fresh bell peppers (4.00), one lb broccoli (2 bucks), one large tomato (2), I could eat ALL of that in ONE day and it wouldn't even amount to the same calorie amount of "fuel". So YES eating fresh fruit and veg is more expensive than eating junk because you have to buy A LOT more to get the same calorie amount of fuel.
But that is such an unreasonable way to compare foods (far beyond apples vs oranges). It doesn't even make sense, as the main problem with modern diets is too many calories. You don't buy vegetables to get calories, but to get vitamins, minerals and fiber. Normal people don't fill up on fruit and veg.14 -
Fresh veggies don't have to be expensive, if you eat what's in season. Veggies are one of the cheapest things on my grocery list. The protein is where the big bucks come in.6
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MikaMojito wrote: »I'm lucky because vegetables are very cheap where I live but sometimes when money is short, I rely heavily on tinned tomato, frozen spinach and peas and loads of carrots and cabbage. Are even these vegetables so very expensive in the states?
No.
But IME vegetables in general are not that expensive here.0 -
wellthenwhat wrote: »I made myself a delicious carrot/broccoli/cauliflower cooked veggie combo and had some for breakfast. But for what it cost me I could have bought 3 huge bags of sugar cereal that would last me several months vs a week. It's sad.
Large bag of carrots $3
2 large celery bunches $1.50
7 mini cucumbers $3
Box of spinach $3.50
Large head of broccoli $1.50
....
Wegmans prices in Maryland....
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »For the calorie amount fresh fruit and veg ARE more expensive. I hate how people say they aren't. If I buy some junk food donuts 1.69 (for pack of 6 at 320 cal per doughnut) and box of cereal (1.69 with 12 servings) that would easily last me 2 weeks of 500-600 calorie breakfasts. HOWEVER, if I buy 4 fresh bell peppers (4.00), one lb broccoli (2 bucks), one large tomato (2), I could eat ALL of that in ONE day and it wouldn't even amount to the same calorie amount of "fuel". So YES eating fresh fruit and veg is more expensive than eating junk because you have to buy A LOT more to get the same calorie amount of fuel.
It really does vary based on your location/store options/sales. This week (MI), I can get 2 pks of bell peppers for .79 (Aldi) and broccoli crowns for $1 (Meijer). And then between the two stores I'm also getting pound containers of tomatoes for $1, 3lb bags of apples for $1, pound of asparagus for $1.39, 2lb bags of carrots for .59, 3lb bag of onions for .69 etc.
But, even doing the 800g a day veg/fruit challenge this month, I don't only eat veggies and fruit. I still eat (cheap) grains like rice and oats, eggs, dairy, lean meats etc. I don't focus on veggies and fruit for my calories-that comes from other foods.
OP-I have a grocery budget of $100 a week, for a family of 5 (and that includes non-food items as well). I do a lot with frozen veggies (.89 per bag at Aldi or $1 at Meijer here), and then I make my menu plan/grocery list based on the sales ads for the week. I'm actually doing that right now, for my grocery trip tomorrow
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kommodevaran wrote: »Are you in the US? I've heard cauliflower is (or was, some months ago) expensive over there. Pick produce in season, or frozen. You're not supposed to overdo it, either. 3 100 grams servings of vegs and 2 servings of fruit per day is enough. Oh, and avoid "organic" if "not organic" is cheaper. And precut will be more expensive.
I don't really think you wish vegetables weren't so expensive. Vegs aren't expensive. But you prefer other foods? You can have a little of each, and your taste preferences can change and adapt to what you expose them to. Learn to cook.
Except that 10 serves of fruit and vegetables are now recommended. 800 grams in total of vegetables and 200 grams of fruit. The reason most countries haven't adopted these recommendatios is because they know that most people are already not getting enough. I don't think many people around the world are overdoing vegetables, if that is even a possibility
To keep my costs down I mainly stick with what is in season or frozen.2 -
Frozen, in season, or on sale fruits and vegetables are cheaper than that crap in the cereal aisle. (And frozen is just as nutritious as fresh.) There are also healthier non-vegetables options besides "huge bags of sugar cereal." You can buy all kinds of things in bulk or on sale - oatmeal, rice, beans, etc. that end up being cheaper than that other garbage. If you actually want to eat the sugar cereal within your calorie goals, then go for it. That's a personal preference thing. But don't use the cost of food as an excuse to eat poorly.
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »For the calorie amount fresh fruit and veg ARE more expensive. I hate how people say they aren't. If I buy some junk food donuts 1.69 (for pack of 6 at 320 cal per doughnut) and box of cereal (1.69 with 12 servings) that would easily last me 2 weeks of 500-600 calorie breakfasts. HOWEVER, if I buy 4 fresh bell peppers (4.00), one lb broccoli (2 bucks), one large tomato (2), I could eat ALL of that in ONE day and it wouldn't even amount to the same calorie amount of "fuel". So YES eating fresh fruit and veg is more expensive than eating junk because you have to buy A LOT more to get the same calorie amount of fuel.
No way. A few vegetables, some protein and a starch and you can feed yourself for a few days cooking one meal. Even if you buy the cheapest junk food out there you will not get the same nutritional bang for your buck. I wish the myth of "it's cheap to get fat" would die. Some things are very expensive, but seasonal vegetables or frozen vegetables are cheap almost everywhere. Canned vegetables are also an option. All of these are cheaper than a pop tart or hot pocket. I think it's an excuse people use either because they don't know how to cook or they want to keep eating junk and don't want to just admit that.6 -
wellthenwhat wrote: »I made myself a delicious carrot/broccoli/cauliflower cooked veggie combo and had some for breakfast. But for what it cost me I could have bought 3 huge bags of sugar cereal that would last me several months vs a week. It's sad.
I went shopping last night. (Kansas, Walmart, winter)
I bought a large bag (2lb 1.5 oz) of a chocolate puff cereal with marshmallows for $5.98. That bag is 32 servings.
I also bought vegetables and some fruit (not organic). I spent about $28 on vegetables and fruits for a family of 3 humans plus 2 guinea pigs. Some will last us a few weeks and some will be used up in a week.
The cereal is cheap per serving ($.18) but 1 large meal of vegetables would not cost the same as 3 big bags of cereal.
3 lb bag of fresh apples $5.54
3-5 lb (?) bag of fresh potatoes $3.67
16 oz bag of fresh parsnips $2.68
Bag of fresh oranges $4.97
26 oz bag frozen broccoli $1.98 (8 servings)
16 oz bag frozen spinach $1.44 (6 servings)
Fresh cherry tomatoes $2.98
4 fresh bell peppers $3.52
I didn't buy fresh carrots or cauliflower this week. An old receipt from January has a bag of whole carrots at $1.48.
Frozen and canned vegetables and fruits can be cheaper than fresh in winter. Investigate those.
Ultimately it is a choice of how you want to live and what it is worth to you.
This perplexes me, being as how we're both in the midwest. I'm in IA, and here the apples would be about $3, potatoes on sale for $2 or less, oranges for about $3.50, & green peppers .50. This week, I got asparagus for .99 a bunch, cauliflower for 1.99, kale for .99, and strawberries for 1.29/lb.
Even so, I don't want fruits & veggies all the time and don't understand the OP's either/or scenario.1 -
wellthenwhat wrote: »I made myself a delicious carrot/broccoli/cauliflower cooked veggie combo and had some for breakfast. But for what it cost me I could have bought 3 huge bags of sugar cereal that would last me several months vs a week. It's sad.
I went shopping last night. (Kansas, Walmart, winter)
I bought a large bag (2lb 1.5 oz) of a chocolate puff cereal with marshmallows for $5.98. That bag is 32 servings.
I also bought vegetables and some fruit (not organic). I spent about $28 on vegetables and fruits for a family of 3 humans plus 2 guinea pigs. Some will last us a few weeks and some will be used up in a week.
The cereal is cheap per serving ($.18) but 1 large meal of vegetables would not cost the same as 3 big bags of cereal.
3 lb bag of fresh apples $5.54
3-5 lb (?) bag of fresh potatoes $3.67
16 oz bag of fresh parsnips $2.68
Bag of fresh oranges $4.97
26 oz bag frozen broccoli $1.98 (8 servings)
16 oz bag frozen spinach $1.44 (6 servings)
Fresh cherry tomatoes $2.98
4 fresh bell peppers $3.52
I didn't buy fresh carrots or cauliflower this week. An old receipt from January has a bag of whole carrots at $1.48.
Frozen and canned vegetables and fruits can be cheaper than fresh in winter. Investigate those.
Ultimately it is a choice of how you want to live and what it is worth to you.
This perplexes me, being as how we're both in the midwest. I'm in IA, and here the apples would be about $3, potatoes on sale for $2 or less, oranges for about $3.50, & green peppers .50. This week, I got asparagus for .99 a bunch, cauliflower for 1.99, kale for .99, and strawberries for 1.29/lb.
Even so, I don't want fruits & veggies all the time and don't understand the OP's either/or scenario.
It also depends on what items stores are using as their loss leaders for the week. There can be a signficant price difference between two stores in the same town, at the same time, depending on this. So many variables go into the pricing of food!0 -
As noted above, in season fruits and veggies tend to be a big cheaper than out of season stuff. I also buy bulk whole grains and dried beans which keeps my food cost down. We also buy some fruits and veggies frozen. I can feed my family of 4 on less than $100 a week, including non-food items (laundry detergent, etc.) by focusing on buying in bulk and in season.
I also factor in the "long term" factor of spending on fruits and veggies versus junky (high sugar cereal type) foods. In the long term, I will probably be a bit healthier, and thus spend far less on medicines and doctor's visits to keep me alive.1 -
Time to start thinking about gardening! I've heard "Square Foot Garden" is a great city-dweller way. The up-front cost will be higher, but you can get some pretty fresh veggies all season long.4
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It's a balancing act to stock up on fruits and vegetables ... I shop the specials or sale items and rotate, but still spend more on produce than other food stuffs.
This week was stock up week for my cooking staple vegetables ... potato, onion, celery, carrot, cabbage - those came in at just under $17.00 and will last a month or more. Then I also picked items that will be gone in a week ... brocolli, cucumber, mushrooms, bell peppers and tomatoes which cost $15.00. That doen't count the frozen veggies I have tucked away from when they were on sale for $1.00 per 12-16 ounce bag last week ... corn, sweet peas, green beans, spinach, cauliflower ... I won't use fresh veggies next week (except for the staples), but will rely on the frozen ones.
For fruit, this week had a sale on apples, cantaloupe and bananas, but I also picked up a bag of grapefruit - all for just under $14.00 ... the cantaloupe and bananas are for eating this week and the apples and grapefruit will roll into the next couple of weeks, All are augmented by the blue berries and strawberries I buy when on sale and freeze to have on hand. When I do buy the berries, no other fruit makes it into the grocery cart.
I very occasionally buy summer or winter squash, eggplant, beets, parsnips, radishes, scallion/leaks out of season because there are less expensive veggies I can get that work in my food plan ... and always look forward to the meals I make using some of these.2 -
crzycatlady1 wrote: »wellthenwhat wrote: »I made myself a delicious carrot/broccoli/cauliflower cooked veggie combo and had some for breakfast. But for what it cost me I could have bought 3 huge bags of sugar cereal that would last me several months vs a week. It's sad.
I went shopping last night. (Kansas, Walmart, winter)
I bought a large bag (2lb 1.5 oz) of a chocolate puff cereal with marshmallows for $5.98. That bag is 32 servings.
I also bought vegetables and some fruit (not organic). I spent about $28 on vegetables and fruits for a family of 3 humans plus 2 guinea pigs. Some will last us a few weeks and some will be used up in a week.
The cereal is cheap per serving ($.18) but 1 large meal of vegetables would not cost the same as 3 big bags of cereal.
3 lb bag of fresh apples $5.54
3-5 lb (?) bag of fresh potatoes $3.67
16 oz bag of fresh parsnips $2.68
Bag of fresh oranges $4.97
26 oz bag frozen broccoli $1.98 (8 servings)
16 oz bag frozen spinach $1.44 (6 servings)
Fresh cherry tomatoes $2.98
4 fresh bell peppers $3.52
I didn't buy fresh carrots or cauliflower this week. An old receipt from January has a bag of whole carrots at $1.48.
Frozen and canned vegetables and fruits can be cheaper than fresh in winter. Investigate those.
Ultimately it is a choice of how you want to live and what it is worth to you.
This perplexes me, being as how we're both in the midwest. I'm in IA, and here the apples would be about $3, potatoes on sale for $2 or less, oranges for about $3.50, & green peppers .50. This week, I got asparagus for .99 a bunch, cauliflower for 1.99, kale for .99, and strawberries for 1.29/lb.
Even so, I don't want fruits & veggies all the time and don't understand the OP's either/or scenario.
It also depends on what items stores are using as their loss leaders for the week. There can be a signficant price difference between two stores in the same town, at the same time, depending on this. So many variables go into the pricing of food!
Ya, I usually spend a few minutes per week reviewing the supermarket flyers and basing my decision on where to shop on who has the best deals. I focus on meat though. Everyone is competitive on corned beef this year.
For veggies, I had a great farm stand and farmer's market near me where I used to live and am going to have to find a new one this spring. http://www.localharvest.org/
I just finished my supply of potatoes that my mom grew last year. She also grows enough butternut squash to get her through March but I'm (much) less of a fan of that.
My sister has done "fruit shares" in the past. Here's more on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): http://www.localharvest.org/csa/1 -
Time to start thinking about gardening! I've heard "Square Foot Garden" is a great city-dweller way. The up-front cost will be higher, but you can get some pretty fresh veggies all season long.
I had extensive garden beds at my last place. Before I moved here last fall, we put in two 4' x 4' beds using the "Square Foot Garden" mix. I have scallions, sage, chives and some other perennial herbs in there now, plus a half bed of strawberries. Will have to be strategic about what annuals I plant, but I know there will be kale and Swiss chard, plus tomatoes for my OH's mother.1 -
Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »For the calorie amount fresh fruit and veg ARE more expensive. I hate how people say they aren't. If I buy some junk food donuts 1.69 (for pack of 6 at 320 cal per doughnut) and box of cereal (1.69 with 12 servings) that would easily last me 2 weeks of 500-600 calorie breakfasts. HOWEVER, if I buy 4 fresh bell peppers (4.00), one lb broccoli (2 bucks), one large tomato (2), I could eat ALL of that in ONE day and it wouldn't even amount to the same calorie amount of "fuel". So YES eating fresh fruit and veg is more expensive than eating junk because you have to buy A LOT more to get the same calorie amount of fuel.
No way. A few vegetables, some protein and a starch and you can feed yourself for a few days cooking one meal. Even if you buy the cheapest junk food out there you will not get the same nutritional bang for your buck. I wish the myth of "it's cheap to get fat" would die. Some things are very expensive, but seasonal vegetables or frozen vegetables are cheap almost everywhere. Canned vegetables are also an option. All of these are cheaper than a pop tart or hot pocket. I think it's an excuse people use either because they don't know how to cook or they want to keep eating junk and don't want to just admit that.
All of these are not cheaper. A box of poptarts run 1.67 at my local store and that would last a WEEK. For that amount I could get ONE tomato or one head of broccoli, which would just be a small component of ONE meal. I think it depends on location. I am picky about my veg and I don't like canned vegetables or cheap starches such as rice/beans/potatoes so when I make a meal, it is all veg and protein. I buy lettuce which is 2.99 and it lasts me only two salads worth. To eat a salad every day for lunch is quite expensive. I have to buy the lettuce, tomato (2), onions (1), cucumber (99c), radishes (2), green pepper (1), etc it all adds up to about 5 per salad when I figured it out, which is 25 bucks per week. Alternately I could have a hot pocket each day for lunch for the same calories and it would only cost me 7.50 for the whole week.
Just an example, so I don't think you can say it IS just as cheap to eat healthy. It CAN be, but many people such as myself are picky and do not want to eat plain rice and canned vegetables. I also dislike the taste of frozen vegetables. They aren't the same as fresh. So unfortunately with my preferences it is more expensive, although that is my fault LOL. I don't use it as an excuse because my grocery bill is quite high. I do choose to eat mostly vegetables because it's what I enjoy, I just am not happy about it.2 -
Yes vegetables are more expensive than junkfood. However, in a long term investment way of thinking vegetables are a good idea. Sugar cereal may seem cheap but long term has costs such as obesity and diabetes. Both are expensive.2
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Yes vegetables are more expensive than junkfood. However, in a long term investment way of thinking vegetables are a good idea. Sugar cereal may seem cheap but long term has costs such as obesity and diabetes. Both are expensive.
But sugar cereal doesn't cause obesity-eating at a calorie surplus does. One can incorporate veggies AND cereal into a healthy, balanced diet 1 -
crzycatlady1 wrote: »Yes vegetables are more expensive than junkfood. However, in a long term investment way of thinking vegetables are a good idea. Sugar cereal may seem cheap but long term has costs such as obesity and diabetes. Both are expensive.
But sugar cereal doesn't cause obesity-eating at a calorie surplus does. One can incorporate veggies AND cereal into a healthy, balanced diet
True. But it is a much more calorie dense food and easier to overeat. Plus that gsugar spike does a number on your blood glucose levels and thus also sugar cravings. I'm trying to make point that yes junk is cheaper short term but investing in better foods like vegetables can pay off long term.0
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