Why does eating healthy cost so much đ€·ââïž
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tinkerbellang83 wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »
Well one can only guess if the op did the conversion wrong.. đ”đ¶đ·
Or perhaps OP is British but doesn't live in the UK? For now we are still allowed to live other places
#HappyNotBrexitDay lol
Or she bought 20 pounds of shrimp at one time . Haha
Fried shrimp
Shrimp gumbo
Smoke Shrimp
Grilled shrimp
(Buba voice over)13 -
It doesn't. You're buying too much.2
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tinkerbellang83 wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »
Well one can only guess if the op did the conversion wrong.. đ”đ¶đ·
Or perhaps OP is British but doesn't live in the UK? For now we are still allowed to live other places #HappyNotBrexitDay lol
Or she bought 20 pounds of shrimp at one time . Haha
Fried shrimp
Shrimp gumbo
Smoke Shrimp
Grilled shrimp
(Buba voice over)
Expensive shrimp is like a box of chocolates - the all look the same on the inside, but the inside is squishy and delicious.6 -
I don't know what kind of shrimp you are buying. But if you are purchasing stuff out of season then the cost will always go up. My entire food bill for two people next week I have estimated to be around $61 (54 euro). And that includes several meats, seafood, and snacks for my S.O.
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Edit.. nm.. misread
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https://www.foodthebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FOOD_The-Definitive-Shoppers-Guide.pdf
Great resource for eating well and responsible sourcing.
It amazes me, the money people spend on prepackaged stuff and beverages.
Theyâre drinking a $3 energy drink, feeding their kids fruit snacks, car full of empty water bottles and Starbucks cups, and telling me that theyâd eat like me if they could âaffordâ it.
There is some time cost associated with buying at multiple stores, buying in bulk and repackaging at home, and buying ingredients rather than âready foods.â
I find it WAY more affordable to eat real food, including abundant produce, meats, nuts, seeds.
I splurge on quality condiments: vinegar, spices (even these I source from ethnic markets.) I drink filtered tap water (sometimes just tap water) and make coffee at home with beans from Costco.
NO value judgment: we all spend our time and money in different ways.
However, the âhealthy eating isnât affordableâ line needs to die already.
In the age of CSAâs, coupons, internet sources - 99% of the time it just isnât true.
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Try shopping at a less expensive store. Do you have Aldi near you?
4 -
I buy my fruits, veggies and shrimp from the overpriced fancy store and it's not even close to that for two people.4
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Obviously location makes a difference. In Australia, my family of 2 adults and 1 child budget $200AU per week food & groceries, most of this is food.
We do a fortnightly shop at an inexpensive fresh food market (meat, vegetables, fruit) and discount chain Aldi, and in between pick up extras that run out from our local chain supermarket and bakery.
Our costs would be twice this if we didnât make sensible choices; buy foods when they are cheaper (on sale or in high availability). Buy some of your meat in bulk and freeze in portions for later. Buy cheaper cuts & types meats (chicken is cheaper than duck; beef is cheaper than lamb, etc) but also with health considerations (chicken breast is healthier than chicken wings). You have choices whether to buy whatever you want at huge expense or choose the cheaper options.
Cost of something like capsicums can double from one week to the next just depending on availability - I buy lots when cheap and might skip it when expensive - price can drop again the next shop. At the moment cauliflower is $6 a small/medium head! But a few months ago it was $2.50 a large head. If you donât pay attention to prices, you can run up big bill.
We do buy some convenience meals - premade quiche, frozen meat pies, frozen dumplings - for days when time is short as these are better options than falling back on takeaway or fast food. (These foods are for my daughter and partner who are not following my diet). However I donât think it would be much cheaper to make these from scratch as they are not hugely expensive - theyâre only from Aldi.
Compared to very unhealthy food: it costs more to buy McDonalds for 1 adult than a quiche/meat pies/ dumplings/lamb shanks from Aldi to serve 2-4.4 -
Compared to very unhealthy food: it costs more to buy McDonalds for 1 adult than a quiche/meat pies/ dumplings/lamb shanks from Aldi to serve 2-4.
This.
I keep my mouth shut in general, IRL, unless specifically asked for input. Diet and spending habits tend to be highly charged emotional topics and people I love and respect make some choices that are somewhat painful for me to watch, but itâs not my place.
I donât have kids, I donât know what that additional responsibility feels like, costs, or what that stress might drive me to do.
Itâs still hard to see friends whi struggle with money and have children (especially those kids with behavioral stuff that could be helped with diet) take the family thru the drive-thru. Feeding a family of 6 fast food seems to cost upwards of $30.
At my local chain grocery, this could translate to:
2x rotisserie chicken @ $5 each, a store special (=$10)
1 giant tub mixed greens ($5)
English cucumber ($3)
Pint of grape tomatoes ($4)
Yogurt-based ranch dressing ($4)
2 boxes couscous with spice mix (2 for $5)
=$31, assuming nothing is on sale - and using many higher cost âshortcutâ foods (precooked meat, prewashed greens, ready made dressing, flavored just add water grain dish.)
15 minutes to shop if done at the worst possible time, 10 minutes if better planning.
@ home:
Add 5 minutes for prep-
Boil the water for couscous while pulling the chicken. Add couscous to hot water and cover, then chop the cuke, dump the cucumber and tomato over the spinach. Stir the couscous. Serve.
Time cost of 20 minutes, minimal kitchen equipment or experience needed, save for the ability to boil water and slice a cucumber.
I know people who wait longer in the drive-thru, or drive thru multiple places to make the whole family.â
I get it- everybody is doing their best. People are tired.
But we pick our battles.
I think itâs a cultural responsibility to teach people how to prepare simple, sustaining meals.
Yes, there are areas where this isnât possible. Letâs change that. Letâs kill off the BS myth that eating well is hard and expensive.14 -
purplefizzy wrote: »Compared to very unhealthy food: it costs more to buy McDonalds for 1 adult than a quiche/meat pies/ dumplings/lamb shanks from Aldi to serve 2-4.
This.
I keep my mouth shut in general, IRL, unless specifically asked for input. Diet and spending habits tend to be highly charged emotional topics and people I love and respect make some choices that are somewhat painful for me to watch, but itâs not my place.
I donât have kids, I donât know what that additional responsibility feels like, costs, or what that stress might drive me to do.
Itâs still hard to see friends whi struggle with money and have children (especially those kids with behavioral stuff that could be helped with diet) take the family thru the drive-thru. Feeding a family of 6 fast food seems to cost upwards of $30.
At my local chain grocery, this could translate to:
2x rotisserie chicken @ $5 each, a store special (=$10)
1 giant tub mixed greens ($5)
English cucumber ($3)
Pint of grape tomatoes ($4)
Yogurt-based ranch dressing ($4)
2 boxes couscous with spice mix (2 for $5)
=$31, assuming nothing is on sale - and using many higher cost âshortcutâ foods (precooked meat, prewashed greens, ready made dressing, flavored just add water grain dish.)
15 minutes to shop if done at the worst possible time, 10 minutes if better planning.
@ home:
Add 5 minutes for prep-
Boil the water for couscous while pulling the chicken. Add couscous to hot water and cover, then chop the cuke, dump the cucumber and tomato over the spinach. Stir the couscous. Serve.
Time cost of 20 minutes, minimal kitchen equipment or experience needed, save for the ability to boil water and slice a cucumber.
I know people who wait longer in the drive-thru, or drive thru multiple places to make the whole family.â
I get it- everybody is doing their best. People are tired.
But we pick our battles.
I think itâs a cultural responsibility to teach people how to prepare simple, sustaining meals.
Yes, there are areas where this isnât possible. Letâs change that. Letâs kill off the BS myth that eating well is hard and expensive.
You also have to factor in multiple people's food preferences though. Of your shopping list example above I'd be the only one who'd actually eat everything on your list, of my family, (and I'd only eat the cucumber if I had to lol). I have 5 different lists of food preferences/likes/dislikes that I have to work with, it's definitely appealing to run through a drive-through and letting everyone order what they want. Just another perspective
14 -
never mind. Don't feel like getting in this argument again.9
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cmriverside wrote: »purplefizzy wrote: »Compared to very unhealthy food: it costs more to buy McDonalds for 1 adult than a quiche/meat pies/ dumplings/lamb shanks from Aldi to serve 2-4.
This.
I keep my mouth shut in general, IRL, unless specifically asked for input. Diet and spending habits tend to be highly charged emotional topics and people I love and respect make some choices that are somewhat painful for me to watch, but itâs not my place.
I donât have kids, I donât know what that additional responsibility feels like, costs, or what that stress might drive me to do.
Itâs still hard to see friends whi struggle with money and have children (especially those kids with behavioral stuff that could be helped with diet) take the family thru the drive-thru. Feeding a family of 6 fast food seems to cost upwards of $30.
At my local chain grocery, this could translate to:
2x rotisserie chicken @ $5 each, a store special (=$10)
1 giant tub mixed greens ($5)
English cucumber ($3)
Pint of grape tomatoes ($4)
Yogurt-based ranch dressing ($4)
2 boxes couscous with spice mix (2 for $5)
=$31, assuming nothing is on sale - and using many higher cost âshortcutâ foods (precooked meat, prewashed greens, ready made dressing, flavored just add water grain dish.)
15 minutes to shop if done at the worst possible time, 10 minutes if better planning.
@ home:
Add 5 minutes for prep-
Boil the water for couscous while pulling the chicken. Add couscous to hot water and cover, then chop the cuke, dump the cucumber and tomato over the spinach. Stir the couscous. Serve.
Time cost of 20 minutes, minimal kitchen equipment or experience needed, save for the ability to boil water and slice a cucumber.
I know people who wait longer in the drive-thru, or drive thru multiple places to make the whole family.â
I get it- everybody is doing their best. People are tired.
But we pick our battles.
I think itâs a cultural responsibility to teach people how to prepare simple, sustaining meals.
Yes, there are areas where this isnât possible. Letâs change that. Letâs kill off the BS myth that eating well is hard and expensive.
You also have to factor in multiple people's food preferences though. Of your shopping list example above I'd be the only one who'd actually eat everything on your list, of my family, (and I'd only eat the cucumber if I had to lol). I have 5 different lists of food preferences/likes/dislikes that I have to work with, it's definitely appealing to run through a drive-through and letting everyone order what they want. Just another perspective
Maybe you've created those "food preferences" by allowing it? I ate what everyone else was eating as a kid, or I didn't eat.
Just saying, we create our own problems. No wonder so many people are "entitled" these days.
Nope, each of my husband/kids have their own set of likes and dislikes, that are different. My husband also has IBS, one of my kids is lactose intolerant and one has eating issues that stem from his ADHD. And then throw in my specific eating preferences DASH/pescetarian leaning, and meal time can be challenging, to say the least. We have a very small grocery budget and I make it work, but I get the appeal of just going out/running through drive-through.
Also, as a kid we were forced to eat whatever was served. Interestingly, everyone in my family struggles with their weight, (including one who has an ED). I could say a lot more about this, but I'll refrain.10 -
I thought it interesting at how many people said that grocery bill was B.S. I call, B.S. on that. If a person wanted to eat clean fresh veggies and untainted meat it would absolutely be expensive. I live in Chicago and haven't seen shrimp for under 9.99/lb in years. Want organic milk $5/gallon. Throw in a basket of fresh organic vegetables and $100 is right around the corner. Some cities are over-priced but if you live there it is what it is. Going from standard to organic foods more than doubled my bill. Someone mentioned not buying out of season produce. That's definitely a money saver. You can buy it in bulk when it's in season and freeze or can. Organic Processed foods are a huge no no. If you want fresh marinara you should make a bunch of jars yourself. Otherwise buying it at $4/jar can get pricey. You can get organic labeled processed foods from places like Aldi, Walmart, or Pete's if you have those but its about your preference of store and whether you want to go around to three stores to get groceries for one. The same goes for meat, and dairy buy when on sale and freeze. Eggs will just have to be expensive if you eat them. My number one tip for cheap produce, this might only apply to my area, is Farmer's Markets. Real farmers bringing out produce that you can shop for once a week. I have found that farmer's markets are fantastic ways to get fresh veggies on the cheap. If you have a local one they will also take orders form you. Want to make a few jars of sauce ask for the price of a case of tomatoes. You will save. That's my 2-cents anyway.21
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cmriverside wrote: »purplefizzy wrote: »Compared to very unhealthy food: it costs more to buy McDonalds for 1 adult than a quiche/meat pies/ dumplings/lamb shanks from Aldi to serve 2-4.
This.
I keep my mouth shut in general, IRL, unless specifically asked for input. Diet and spending habits tend to be highly charged emotional topics and people I love and respect make some choices that are somewhat painful for me to watch, but itâs not my place.
I donât have kids, I donât know what that additional responsibility feels like, costs, or what that stress might drive me to do.
Itâs still hard to see friends whi struggle with money and have children (especially those kids with behavioral stuff that could be helped with diet) take the family thru the drive-thru. Feeding a family of 6 fast food seems to cost upwards of $30.
At my local chain grocery, this could translate to:
2x rotisserie chicken @ $5 each, a store special (=$10)
1 giant tub mixed greens ($5)
English cucumber ($3)
Pint of grape tomatoes ($4)
Yogurt-based ranch dressing ($4)
2 boxes couscous with spice mix (2 for $5)
=$31, assuming nothing is on sale - and using many higher cost âshortcutâ foods (precooked meat, prewashed greens, ready made dressing, flavored just add water grain dish.)
15 minutes to shop if done at the worst possible time, 10 minutes if better planning.
@ home:
Add 5 minutes for prep-
Boil the water for couscous while pulling the chicken. Add couscous to hot water and cover, then chop the cuke, dump the cucumber and tomato over the spinach. Stir the couscous. Serve.
Time cost of 20 minutes, minimal kitchen equipment or experience needed, save for the ability to boil water and slice a cucumber.
I know people who wait longer in the drive-thru, or drive thru multiple places to make the whole family.â
I get it- everybody is doing their best. People are tired.
But we pick our battles.
I think itâs a cultural responsibility to teach people how to prepare simple, sustaining meals.
Yes, there are areas where this isnât possible. Letâs change that. Letâs kill off the BS myth that eating well is hard and expensive.
You also have to factor in multiple people's food preferences though. Of your shopping list example above I'd be the only one who'd actually eat everything on your list, of my family, (and I'd only eat the cucumber if I had to lol). I have 5 different lists of food preferences/likes/dislikes that I have to work with, it's definitely appealing to run through a drive-through and letting everyone order what they want. Just another perspective
Maybe you've created those "food preferences" by allowing it? I ate what everyone else was eating as a kid, or I didn't eat.
Just saying, we create our own problems. No wonder so many people are "entitled" these days.
Nope, each of my husband/kids have their own set of likes and dislikes, that are different. My husband also has IBS, one of my kids is lactose intolerant and one has eating issues that stem from his ADHD. And then throw in my specific eating preferences DASH/pescetarian leaning, and meal time can be challenging, to say the least. We have a very small grocery budget and I make it work, but I get the appeal of just going out/running through drive-through.
I'm surprised that a drive-thru is even a workable option in this situation.9 -
No way to tell if the bill is BS or not without knowing quantities, but it seems high to me too.
I live in Chicago and a quick search on instacart turns up a lot of options for shrimp under $9.99/lb. That is the current instacart price for shrimp from WF. Even if it were $10, that leaves $80 for fruits and salad?
Btw, fresh veg at this time of year is something of a mirage, since it's going to come from far away, organic is not necessary for healthy eating (nothing wrong with getting it if you want, but when people claim that eating healthy costs a fortune they are usually choosing the more expensive items like that, and I think it's a shame to mislead people into thinking they to eat healthfully will require them to spend more than they are comfortable with, it can be done without breaking the bank). Among other things, at this time of year you can save money (organic or not) by buying frozen. I buy a lot "fresh" since I prefer cooking them than the frozen, but at this time of year frozen is likely more nutritious.
Not much fresh produce available at a farmer's market this time of year either, which is why most of them aren't running. Green City (which is not cheap, although I like it) is open only every other week.
I'm picky about tomatoes (prefer to grow my own or get them from a farm, rather than buy tasteless ones out of season and picked early for transport), so at this time of year I prefer canned. Luckily that saves money.7 -
cmriverside wrote: »purplefizzy wrote: »Compared to very unhealthy food: it costs more to buy McDonalds for 1 adult than a quiche/meat pies/ dumplings/lamb shanks from Aldi to serve 2-4.
This.
I keep my mouth shut in general, IRL, unless specifically asked for input. Diet and spending habits tend to be highly charged emotional topics and people I love and respect make some choices that are somewhat painful for me to watch, but itâs not my place.
I donât have kids, I donât know what that additional responsibility feels like, costs, or what that stress might drive me to do.
Itâs still hard to see friends whi struggle with money and have children (especially those kids with behavioral stuff that could be helped with diet) take the family thru the drive-thru. Feeding a family of 6 fast food seems to cost upwards of $30.
At my local chain grocery, this could translate to:
2x rotisserie chicken @ $5 each, a store special (=$10)
1 giant tub mixed greens ($5)
English cucumber ($3)
Pint of grape tomatoes ($4)
Yogurt-based ranch dressing ($4)
2 boxes couscous with spice mix (2 for $5)
=$31, assuming nothing is on sale - and using many higher cost âshortcutâ foods (precooked meat, prewashed greens, ready made dressing, flavored just add water grain dish.)
15 minutes to shop if done at the worst possible time, 10 minutes if better planning.
@ home:
Add 5 minutes for prep-
Boil the water for couscous while pulling the chicken. Add couscous to hot water and cover, then chop the cuke, dump the cucumber and tomato over the spinach. Stir the couscous. Serve.
Time cost of 20 minutes, minimal kitchen equipment or experience needed, save for the ability to boil water and slice a cucumber.
I know people who wait longer in the drive-thru, or drive thru multiple places to make the whole family.â
I get it- everybody is doing their best. People are tired.
But we pick our battles.
I think itâs a cultural responsibility to teach people how to prepare simple, sustaining meals.
Yes, there are areas where this isnât possible. Letâs change that. Letâs kill off the BS myth that eating well is hard and expensive.
You also have to factor in multiple people's food preferences though. Of your shopping list example above I'd be the only one who'd actually eat everything on your list, of my family, (and I'd only eat the cucumber if I had to lol). I have 5 different lists of food preferences/likes/dislikes that I have to work with, it's definitely appealing to run through a drive-through and letting everyone order what they want. Just another perspective
Maybe you've created those "food preferences" by allowing it? I ate what everyone else was eating as a kid, or I didn't eat.
Just saying, we create our own problems. No wonder so many people are "entitled" these days.
Nope, each of my husband/kids have their own set of likes and dislikes, that are different. My husband also has IBS, one of my kids is lactose intolerant and one has eating issues that stem from his ADHD. And then throw in my specific eating preferences DASH/pescetarian leaning, and meal time can be challenging, to say the least. We have a very small grocery budget and I make it work, but I get the appeal of just going out/running through drive-through.
I'm surprised that a drive-thru is even a workable option in this situation.
It is, though when we do go out it's to very specific places. And we use coupons lol.1 -
britishbombshell08 wrote: »Bought fruits, salad, and shrimp from the grocery store and it came to $90.33 đ€·ââïžđ€Šââïžđ Oh well, now to devour it all
How much did you buy??
Healthy eating is NOT expensive unless you are picky, impulse shop, or live in a food desert somewhere. You can buy produce in season and local (so buy the stuff that's plentiful and cheap), buy bagged frozen store brand veggies, and then there's eggs, cabbage, potatoes, dried or canned beans, oats, and canned tuna which are always pretty affordable.
I don't mean to pick OP, but the myth that "eating healthy" is expensive is usually based around an overly-privileged view of what constitutes healthy food, and the myth often keeps people who can't afford expensive stuff from even trying.
This ^
The idea that, to be healthy, a diet has to be comprised entirely of fresh, organic fruits & veggies and one of the most expensive lean proteins is mistaken to say the least.10 -
I live in Indianapolis (actually in a more expensive area near by). I spent $80 between Aldi and Meijer yesterday. that included groceries for a weeks worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks (yogurt, popcorn, and even ice cream). It also included kitty litter, a bunch of OTC meds I needed (stupid allergies), an extra pack of ground chicken (yay sales), a case of Bubly, and more.
The OP is being picky and choosy about what they are reporting and sadly people will see it and think "eating healthy" is just too expensive for them.15
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