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Live Below The Line
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Leslierussell4134
Posts: 376 Member
Hello All, hope everyone had a great weekend!
Wanted to share my husband and I have decided to take the 'Live Below The Line challenge.' I've heard of people doing this, but never really found interest before now.
In short, it is a challenge taken on a voluntary basis to only consume food and drink valued at or below the poverty line. Today, the poverty line sits at $1.90 per person, per day. Now most people do this challenge for 5 days, but we decided to do this for 30 days in hope to kick start him into some weight loss.
Has anyone done this before ? Do you believe it possible to be healthful during a challenge like this?
The point of this is to bring awareness to the approximate 765 million people living in extreme poverty around world. I am entirely grateful for my life, but I have a feeling after, I'll have an entirely new perspective. Both of us have never done anything like this before. I first considered this when another thread brought to my attention how much I was spending on food and alcohol per month...too much. Hoping to discover a better balance.
We set some ground rules, please comment if you can think of anything to add, or something you followed in the past.
1. I, 31y F, have to consume at least 1200 calories per day.
2. My husband, 33y M, at least 1800 calories per day.
3. Protien requirements, myself 50g, my husband 64g.
4. Cost will be determined by food consumed, allowing us to buy as much in bulk as we can. I understand in real poverty, this isn't common or always possible, however I don't want to go into nutritional deficits, so bulk is required.
5. Foods consumed from our home garden will be accounted for at market value, as many people living below the line do not have access to farming for themselves.
6. We cannot accept free foods from others during this challenge, to experience what it feels like to have extremely limited resources and community.
We also understand that the poverty line represents buying power for all basic needs: food, clothing, housing, education, healthcare. So an actual challenge apples to apples, isn't truely possible. So, this will include all food and beverage consumed by mouth.
We are beginning Aug 1st (Don't want to give up all the summer fruit!)
Wanted to share my husband and I have decided to take the 'Live Below The Line challenge.' I've heard of people doing this, but never really found interest before now.
In short, it is a challenge taken on a voluntary basis to only consume food and drink valued at or below the poverty line. Today, the poverty line sits at $1.90 per person, per day. Now most people do this challenge for 5 days, but we decided to do this for 30 days in hope to kick start him into some weight loss.
Has anyone done this before ? Do you believe it possible to be healthful during a challenge like this?
The point of this is to bring awareness to the approximate 765 million people living in extreme poverty around world. I am entirely grateful for my life, but I have a feeling after, I'll have an entirely new perspective. Both of us have never done anything like this before. I first considered this when another thread brought to my attention how much I was spending on food and alcohol per month...too much. Hoping to discover a better balance.
We set some ground rules, please comment if you can think of anything to add, or something you followed in the past.
1. I, 31y F, have to consume at least 1200 calories per day.
2. My husband, 33y M, at least 1800 calories per day.
3. Protien requirements, myself 50g, my husband 64g.
4. Cost will be determined by food consumed, allowing us to buy as much in bulk as we can. I understand in real poverty, this isn't common or always possible, however I don't want to go into nutritional deficits, so bulk is required.
5. Foods consumed from our home garden will be accounted for at market value, as many people living below the line do not have access to farming for themselves.
6. We cannot accept free foods from others during this challenge, to experience what it feels like to have extremely limited resources and community.
We also understand that the poverty line represents buying power for all basic needs: food, clothing, housing, education, healthcare. So an actual challenge apples to apples, isn't truely possible. So, this will include all food and beverage consumed by mouth.
We are beginning Aug 1st (Don't want to give up all the summer fruit!)
8
Replies
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Think about this though. This challenge is an awareness of no money to buy food. I think using it as a way to lose weight is misguided.22
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L1zardQueen wrote: »Think about this though. This challenge is an awareness of no money to buy food. I think using it as a way to lose weight is misguided.
So I guess the way we see it, it is a blessing to have more than what is needed and are entirely greatful to have the life we do. Unfortunately with more anything comes more responsibility, sometimes you need to be reminded you can survive on less, both cost and volume.
There is a difference of need and want; I'm hoping our perspective of what we need will change.
Primary intention is not weight loss, but it will be a inevitable side effect.5 -
I live on about $5 per day for food and I eat very well. I might be able to do it on $2, but that would mean less dairy and fruit, and less meat for sure. Lots of beans rice, corn, bread, eggs, and tuna for the protein.
Good luck.
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Hhmmmm, I'm gonna go with NOPE.5
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Good for you.
I wouldn't eliminate "found food" or homegrown food as this is an output of labor. Money is nothing more than a physical manifestation of time & labor.
The primary goal of such experiments is to evolve awareness and gratitude...a quality sorely lacking in the Western World. It also generates empathy as once you expose yourself beyond your bubble it provides a window into the lives of others.
I do this with my kids all via camping - when we go it's primitive and minimalist. Having spent a good portion of my life in the third world it exposes just how good we have it and that we should spend a great portion of our lives to improve the lives of others.10 -
Leslierussell4134 wrote: »Hello All, hope everyone had a great weekend!
Wanted to share my husband and I have decided to take the 'Live Below The Line challenge.' I've heard of people doing this, but never really found interest before now.
In short, it is a challenge taken on a voluntary basis to only consume food and drink valued at or below the poverty line. Today, the poverty line sits at $1.90 per person, per day. Now most people do this challenge for 5 days, but we decided to do this for 30 days in hope to kick start him into some weight loss.
Has anyone done this before ? Do you believe it possible to be healthful during a challenge like this?
The point of this is to bring awareness to the approximate 765 million people living in extreme poverty around world. I am entirely grateful for my life, but I have a feeling after, I'll have an entirely new perspective. Both of us have never done anything like this before. I first considered this when another thread brought to my attention how much I was spending on food and alcohol per month...too much. Hoping to discover a better balance.
We set some ground rules, please comment if you can think of anything to add, or something you followed in the past.
1. I, 31y F, have to consume at least 1200 calories per day.
2. My husband, 33y M, at least 1800 calories per day.
3. Protien requirements, myself 50g, my husband 64g.
4. Cost will be determined by food consumed, allowing us to buy as much in bulk as we can. I understand in real poverty, this isn't common or always possible, however I don't want to go into nutritional deficits, so bulk is required.
5. Foods consumed from our home garden will be accounted for at market value, as many people living below the line do not have access to farming for themselves.
6. We cannot accept free foods from others during this challenge, to experience what it feels like to have extremely limited resources and community.
We also understand that the poverty line represents buying power for all basic needs: food, clothing, housing, education, healthcare. So an actual challenge apples to apples, isn't truely possible. So, this will include all food and beverage consumed by mouth.
We are beginning Aug 1st (Don't want to give up all the summer fruit!)
I think this will be such an eye opening experience for you both. It will make you realise how much you take for granted etc, I think you should aim to do it purely for the experience and learning curve. If you truely want to experience what people who live below the line do then I would suggest doing things like accepting free food from friends and family (as you would do if you were poor, that way you can experience the gratitude etc) , growing your own crops (using your money to get seeds) and learning to live off the land and see how much cheaper that could be. Good luck with this and it would be good to read how you got on in 30 days time!
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I have lived the challenge for many years, as I am sure many have. Our food source was supplemented by the food bank. Another challenge that we faced (under the line) was to make the food we received from food banks palatable and fit within a nutritious diet. Many food banks do not have refrigeration and so you will only receive pantry staples and dry goods. Example: we never had fresh milk in the house. Milk was always powdered milk. Vegetables and fruit were soft and bruised. Many pantry items were canned soups, canned beans and canned green beans, ie what the hell are you going to do with those?
Another challenge was transportation. Getting to the grocery store and the food bank was done via public transportation. You can't buy in bulk. You have to think about what you're buying in terms of what you're able to carry on a bus with you.8 -
I did this in college, and not by choice.9
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I'd also keep in mind that less money doesn't necessarily mean less food. But "Quality" and nutritious foods will be an issue I bet. I don't think weight loss is inevitable here, I think weight gain will be though. Remember there's going to be a lot of emotions at play here as well. Emotional attachment with foods that you can no longer purchase or consume might result in over-eating the ones you can... What is your bottom line goal here of doing this challenge? To make yourself more aware? If that's the case it seems a little self serving. I mean what... so you do the 30 day challenge, talk/post about it, go through the emotions, wind up feeling like crap, then the challenge ends and then what? I think your time and efforts would be better served elsewhere. Something that lasts more than 30 days and is way more impactful... like why don't you both volunteer at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen a couple times a week? OR here's an idea... all the money you figure you'd save on food to "Live under the line" - go out and BUY food with that money, and donate it to a food bank!3
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Do you believe it possible to be healthful during a challenge like this?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2847733/
That article suggests that it is very difficult for a very low income person to eat a very nutrient dense diet.
I would agree that it can be challenging to eat the recommended optimal nutrition daily when you are extremely poor. The effort to do so may exceed a person's resources and energy level.
I think poorer people can be very good at planning and making use of all resources available to them though.
They accept free food, garden, forage, hunt/fish, share with family or friends.
They might not have as much protein or vegetables but rely more on cheaper carbs and packaged shelf stable foods. They might have generic canned fruit and vegetables instead of fresh or frozen. They might eat the same things most days instead of a big variety.
A poorer person might not have a choice of store to shop at so might just go to the closest one and pay whatever the prices are. If they do not have a car they may only buy what they can carry.
Lower budget menu planning and recipes:
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/40dollarmenu.htm
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/70dollarmenu.htm
http://www.budgetbytes.com
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/03/35-meatless-meals.html
http://www.meatlessmonday.com/favorite-recipes/
http://www.lentils.org/recipes-cooking/recipes/
Some MFP threads you may find useful:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10518784/healthy-food-choice-on-a-budget/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10500423/costing-a-lot-more-money-to-eat-healthier/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10490067/most-healthy-food-options-are-very-expensive-and-im-on-a-very-poor-budget-what-to-do/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10614805/need-quick-cheap-nutritious-food#latest
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10666103/only-have-150-a-month-for-food-help/p2
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10020804/looking-for-vegetarian-recipes#latest
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10232335/list-of-higher-protein-foods1 -
I think it sounds like a good thing to do just to have some awareness of how other people live and help people to be more grateful and content with their own lives and what they have. Although I already spend a little less than $2 per person per meal but I shop at aldi and live in a low COL area. I did a rough calculation and it was like $1.75. I eat pretty well.1
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Doing it for a week for awareness and I'd guess gratitude as well makes sense to me.
Doing it for 30 days in order to tie it to weight loss doesn't.
One of the challenges for the poor is eating a healthy well balanced diet. You have to put finding calories you can afford above quality and nutritional balance. I think your goals might be at odds.
I also think it's important to lose weight the way you intend to maintain. If you end up losing weight during this period due to limited choice, won't you be back to square one when you increase your budget?
Regardless, best of luck! I don't have the discipline to do that now, though it's pretty much how I lived during my college years. Lots of ramen, canned macaroni, and bummed pizza and beer! If nothing else, it will be an experience and conversation starter
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Is it just for awareness and weight loss, or does the money you save go to causes that provide groceries or meals to those who are hungry or food insecure?8
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Only $1.90? Yikes. I'm in Canada and need to eat gluten free for celiac disease, which tends to raise cost of filler foods like bread or crackers... I could buy half dozen eggs. Maybe 250 mL of yogurt if it was on sale.
It seems like an interesting idea but I would need a Canadian number in order to relate. I couldn't even get on a bus for that. I could buy a little over a litre of gas.... Maybe if I just ate rice.2 -
Only $1.90? Yikes. I'm in Canada and need to eat gluten free for celiac disease, which tends to raise cost of filler foods like bread or crackers... I could buy half dozen eggs. Maybe 250 mL of yogurt if it was on sale.
It seems like an interesting idea but I would need a Canadian number in order to relate. I couldn't even get on a bus for that. I could buy a little over a litre of gas.... Maybe if I just ate rice.
I'm actually wondering where that number comes from. The 2018 U.S. federal poverty level is $12,140 for an individual, or $16,460 for a family of 2. We'll use the family of two, since that seems to be OP's situation. That's $8,330 $8,230 per person. $1.90 per day is $693.50 per year. I find it odd that less than 10% of income is allotted for food for someone who clearly is not going to be able to spend on anything non-essential. Is that because middle-class households in the U.S., where food is actually cheap relatively many other developed countries, spend less than 10% of gross income on food, so they just use the same percentage, as though someone at the poverty line is going to have similar percentages of their income taken up by cable bills and car payments and clothes and vacations?
According to USDA, the amount that the lowest-income quintile of households spent on food ranged from more than 40% to about 28% of their income during the last quarter century or so.
https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2016/september/percent-of-income-spent-on-food-falls-as-income-rises/
So where does the $1.90 per person per day come from?
Edited to fix typo.0 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »Only $1.90? Yikes. I'm in Canada and need to eat gluten free for celiac disease, which tends to raise cost of filler foods like bread or crackers... I could buy half dozen eggs. Maybe 250 mL of yogurt if it was on sale.
It seems like an interesting idea but I would need a Canadian number in order to relate. I couldn't even get on a bus for that. I could buy a little over a litre of gas.... Maybe if I just ate rice.
I'm actually wondering where that number comes from. The 2018 U.S. federal poverty level is $12,140 for an individual, or $16,460 for a family of 2. We'll use the family of two, since that seems to be OP's situation. That's $8,330 $8,230 per person. $1.90 per day is $693.50 per year. I find it odd that less than 10% of income is allotted for food for someone who clearly is not going to be able to spend on anything non-essential. Is that because middle-class households in the U.S., where food is actually cheap relatively many other developed countries, spend less than 10% of gross income on food, so they just use the same percentage, as though someone at the poverty line is going to have similar percentages of their income taken up by cable bills and car payments and clothes and vacations?
According to USDA, the amount that the lowest-income quintile of households spent on food ranged from more than 40% to about 28% of their income during the last quarter century or so.
https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2016/september/percent-of-income-spent-on-food-falls-as-income-rises/
So where does the $1.90 per person per day come from?
Edited to fix typo.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Below_the_Line1 -
cushman5279 wrote: »I'd also keep in mind that less money doesn't necessarily mean less food. But "Quality" and nutritious foods will be an issue I bet. I don't think weight loss is inevitable here, I think weight gain will be though. Remember there's going to be a lot of emotions at play here as well. Emotional attachment with foods that you can no longer purchase or consume might result in over-eating the ones you can... What is your bottom line goal here of doing this challenge? To make yourself more aware? If that's the case it seems a little self serving. I mean what... so you do the 30 day challenge, talk/post about it, go through the emotions, wind up feeling like crap, then the challenge ends and then what? I think your time and efforts would be better served elsewhere. Something that lasts more than 30 days and is way more impactful... like why don't you both volunteer at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen a couple times a week? OR here's an idea... all the money you figure you'd save on food to "Live under the line" - go out and BUY food with that money, and donate it to a food bank!
Great points here and thanks for the recommendations.
So I have considered many of these points, and volunteering is something my husband and I having talked about doing for some time.
To say this challenge is self serving may or may not be true, I guess it depends on your perception. $1.90 buys a lot less food, as you mentioned quality may decrease, but so far my designed menu is still pretty adequate in nutrition. If I consume less, if my husband does, if we inspired anyone else to, does that not leave a surplus of food elsewhere. This might seem like a stretch, and it's not as if I can ship any spared food over seas. But, what if eventually the resources shifted and this allowed more access to those truly in need. Self awarenes can have a domino affec to community awareness, population awareness and so forth. This might be why the poverty line has decreased to less than half in under 20 years.
I think I will assess how I feel after the challenge, see what I feel I've learned and go from there. I have ideas on food waste in my community and I think it may be time for me to act on it.
I may also consider donating my food from my home garden during this challenge, that would be pretty great.0 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »lynn_glenmont wrote: »Only $1.90? Yikes. I'm in Canada and need to eat gluten free for celiac disease, which tends to raise cost of filler foods like bread or crackers... I could buy half dozen eggs. Maybe 250 mL of yogurt if it was on sale.
It seems like an interesting idea but I would need a Canadian number in order to relate. I couldn't even get on a bus for that. I could buy a little over a litre of gas.... Maybe if I just ate rice.
I'm actually wondering where that number comes from. The 2018 U.S. federal poverty level is $12,140 for an individual, or $16,460 for a family of 2. We'll use the family of two, since that seems to be OP's situation. That's $8,330 $8,230 per person. $1.90 per day is $693.50 per year. I find it odd that less than 10% of income is allotted for food for someone who clearly is not going to be able to spend on anything non-essential. Is that because middle-class households in the U.S., where food is actually cheap relatively many other developed countries, spend less than 10% of gross income on food, so they just use the same percentage, as though someone at the poverty line is going to have similar percentages of their income taken up by cable bills and car payments and clothes and vacations?
According to USDA, the amount that the lowest-income quintile of households spent on food ranged from more than 40% to about 28% of their income during the last quarter century or so.
https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2016/september/percent-of-income-spent-on-food-falls-as-income-rises/
So where does the $1.90 per person per day come from?
Edited to fix typo.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Below_the_Line
http://www.businessinsider.com/world-bank-released-new-poverty-lines-see-where-your-country-falls-2017-10
So $1.90 comes from what the world bank defines are extreme poverty. While this figure is supposed to represent the entire buying power of this population, other figures have been assigned for middle and higher income countries. I believe the US figure was around $21 and change.
Since I cannot assess this literally in my own life, my husband and I have decided to go buy the $1.90 assigned current value. This isn't our idea, as many countries have done this for years. Australia and New Zealand have national pages that pop up if you Google it.0 -
Would you be willing to open your diary so we can see how you do it?1
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Only $1.90? Yikes. I'm in Canada and need to eat gluten free for celiac disease, which tends to raise cost of filler foods like bread or crackers... I could buy half dozen eggs. Maybe 250 mL of yogurt if it was on sale.
It seems like an interesting idea but I would need a Canadian number in order to relate. I couldn't even get on a bus for that. I could buy a little over a litre of gas.... Maybe if I just ate rice.
Yes food prices are likely higher in Canada, especially now unfortunately
However, this isn't the US number either, it's the international poverty line, the number in which 760 to 780 million people are living on or below.
I am also plant based, and I don't eat bread often.
My husbands mother was diagnosed with Ciliac 5 years ago, and it was too late of a diagnoses. She now has severe osteoporosis and malabsorbtion. My husband has refused to get tested until now, literally should have genetic testing results tomorrow. For the purposes of this challenge and possible life style change we have decided to eliminate gluten. (I have no allergies, but will avoid for him).
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