Health Food is too.......

Expensive?

This is a spin-off from another post, where someone made the comment that health food is too expensive, that's why they choose to eat other things....

I'm not picking on anyone, but let's get real with ourselves shall we?

How much is fruit?? I don't know about you, but I can pick up apples, oranges, bananas, etc. pretty reasonable... same thing with veggies.... how much is a can of tuna? 84-95 cents a can around here.... how much were those hot pockets???? let's see, i can either get a package of bologna :sick: or i can get a jar of peanut butter.....

a bag of doritos or a canister of nuts?
ice cream or cottage cheese?
eggs or poptarts?
is a 24 pack of pop really cheaper than water out of the faucet?? for that matter, is it cheaper than a case of bottled water?
is juice really that expensive?......i mean koolaid is cheap... until you buy the bag of sugar you need to make a couple pitchers....
how much is an apple compared to a snickers bar?

just some thoughts.... feel free to add your own... and let's get real! it's about discipline, not money that we eat the way we do!!

when you finally say NO MORE EXCUSES... then NO MORE EXCUSES....

if you want to quit eating unhealthy, quit buying crap for food.....

you don't quit smoking and then go buy cigarettes... think about it!!!

Well said! Eat it if you can read the label! Toss the rest!

As my kids would say "TRU DAT!"

Finally...someone who is willing to speak the truth! :bigsmile:

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I couldn't have said it better myself. In fact, I'm going to use those comparisons the next time I hear someone use that excuse. "Excuses" - that's all they are.

I know people who have bought diet pills/products and diet food/plans (me for one) - (now *there* is an expensive proposition).... eating clean, real food, is simpler, and in most cases no more or at least not that much more expensive!

edit - For those concerned with fresh being too expensive.... buy frozen. Stock up on fresh during the summer and freeze things for the winter. It does require some time and planning. P.S. I do agree about the tortillas though.... those buggers are pricey!

I agree. Alot of my vegan friends eat alot of processed/name-brand vegan food and preach to me about the healthy aspects of their eating-habits. Then I compare the nutrtional facts with the raw and fresh items I eat.... its pretty hilarious really. I'm not knocking on a vegan-lifestyle, but don't fool yourself into thinking that these food companies aren't trying to make money. Its like saying that because the bag of food says "organic" on it...that its just that and good for you. Sorry but its just not that simple.

As far as purchasing vegetables and fruits. I use the farmers markets. If you make a good business relationship with some of the vendors. Become a repeat buyer. They'll be more inclined to hook you up. Thats what I've found.

I agree. Alot of my vegan friends eat alot of processed/name-brand vegan food and preach to me about the healthy aspects of their eating-habits. Then I compare the nutrtional facts with the raw and fresh items I eat.... its pretty hilarious really. I'm not knocking on a vegan-lifestyle, but don't fool yourself into thinking that these food companies aren't trying to make money. Its like saying that because the bag of food says "organic" on it...that its just that and good for you. Sorry but its just not that simple.

As far as purchasing vegetables and fruits. I use the farmers markets. If you make a good business relationship with some of the vendors. Become a repeat buyer. They'll be more inclined to hook you up. Thats what I've found.

That's one of the reasons I could no longer be a vegan...went back to being a plain ol' vegetarian so that I could cut out a lot of the processed crap.

I think a lot of people associate "health food" with specialized stores rather than with "healthY food". It is true that there are some products that you can only get at a specialized "health food" store, but for the most part, you can buy healthY food right at your normal grocery store.

A little research goes a long way. Plan ahead and try to select products that have been processed the LEAST. If you look for low carb or low fat options of your favorite items, generally, you can find them. If your store charges an arm and a leg for fresh fruit/veggies, try a vegetable stand...often they're more organic as well (less chemicals used to grow them).

Interesting article about this on ABCNEWS.COM:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/Story?id=5196381&page=1

I think the difference for most people (especially those with LOW income)...
Is that they can't afford to run back and forth to the grocery store all the time to pick up fresh things, especially when those thins go bad quite quickly.

......and I don't know where you guys are from but here in NS Canada, we pay a LOT for produce (depending on the time of year).....but then when summer hits we get the good deals from locally grown stuff...
I LOVE fresh cherries, grapes, etc- but I can't afford to pay the high prices in the winter...and I've seen a head of brocolli cost $3.99 before, for a very SMALL one....it's crazy!
I think it depends on the income and where you live- personally I think it is quite expensive to eat 100% healthy all the time.
Take for example low fat whole wheat tortilla's....LOVE those.....they are $3.99 here for a 10 pkg. A pack of 10 does NOT last long when you have three kids and two adults to feed.

lol edit// except one of the three kids only eats breast milk at the moment..=oP

your tortilla example works out to $ .798 per person if each eats two in a meal! cheaper than french fries at the local burger joint! read your grocery adds, you will be surprised! I never pay more than $1 per pound for anything produce. Melons can be .25 per pound sliced up that is very cheap!

Well my main thing is really the produce...I love it, but it is really expensive here for things like fresh peaches, pears, appricots, watermelon, etc....
I think in some cases (especially when I catch a great sale) it is a lot cheaper to eat healthy....and then in other times....not so much.
We thankfully grow our own rhubarb, and pears....but take for example cherries were on SALE last week for $2.99 a pound....regularly $5.99/pound

Nice one Matt!

I agree completely!

If nothing else, I buy the produce that is in season and usually less expensive...like strawberries right now!

I keep my freeze stocked with frozen veggies too which don't have to be expensive and are nutritious.

And whole-grain breads, tuna, etc.....I buy what is on sale usually!

Doesn't have to be spendy! :glasses:

I live in Nova Scotia as well and I think it comes down to what you are willing to spend. I don't find produce to expensive - yes off season can be a little increase in the buget but buying from the frozen section is not cheaper either , you don't know what's really in the food. It's OK to pick foods that you like- you don't have to blame money for the issue rather that is what you want to buy. Healthy eating is about choices.
I agree stop with the excuses....

I love junk but if I want to be healthier then I have to chose this type of food a whole lot less. Good Luck!

It doesn't come down to what I am WILLING to spend my dear, it comes down to what I can AFFORD to spend.
My husband was injured in December and is off work and we do NOT have a lot of income right now.
Forget I said anything at all.....people are so judgemental.

Plus look for sales at your local supermarket and stock up!
and like I said earlier.... I'm eating at least 1000 cals LESS a day if not more
Also, not that I was a big into eating out....but some of you who ate out often or did fast food weekly...should be saving there as well

Just some thoughts....


Kim

I think the difference for most people (especially those with LOW income)...
Is that they can't afford to run back and forth to the grocery store all the time to pick up fresh things, especially when those thins go bad quite quickly.

......and I don't know where you guys are from but here in NS Canada, we pay a LOT for produce (depending on the time of year).....but then when summer hits we get the good deals from locally grown stuff...
I LOVE fresh cherries, grapes, etc- but I can't afford to pay the high prices in the winter...and I've seen a head of brocolli cost $3.99 before, for a very SMALL one....it's crazy!
I think it depends on the income and where you live- personally I think it is quite expensive to eat 100% healthy all the time.
Take for example low fat whole wheat tortilla's....LOVE those.....they are $3.99 here for a 10 pkg. A pack of 10 does NOT last long when you have three kids and two adults to feed.

lol edit// except one of the three kids only eats breast milk at the moment..=oP

First, kudos on breastfeeding :bigsmile:

I live in Michigan, we do not have great public transportation anywhere in this state and it's one of the most econmically depressed states in the nantion. The city of Detroit does not have ONE, I repeat not ONE single, "real" grocery store.

However, there are AT LEAST two large, free community gardens that I know of in Detroit, and I live 70 miles away from the city.

Healthy food is available to those who really want to seek it out, and can be purchased on a food stamp only budget. So, fresh fruits and veggies can be pricey, frozen are almost always cheap. I can get a bag of frozen broccoli for around a dollar at Aldi or on sale at our local large chain grocery.

Whole wheat tortillas don't last long in my home either, so I freeze them when they are on sale. I do the same with whole wheat pitas from the bakery outlet store.

There are ways, when there is true will.

For my family of 6, two adults, two teenagers, a preschooler and a toddler, I spend less than $500 per month and we only consume organic dairy, eggs, fruits and veggies, other items are hit and miss as for as organic goes, I weigh the cost vs. risk and decide. I shop at our farmer's market in the summer and I make a lot from scratch and freeze. I have a full time job and am very involved in the kid's schools. It can be done, just takes some changes in habits and time management

Plus look for sales at your local supermarket and stock up!
and like I said earlier.... I'm eating at least 1000 cals LESS a day if not more
Also, not that I was a big into eating out....but some of you who ate out often or did fast food weekly...should be saving there as well

Just some thoughts....


Kim

That is exactly what I do...I buy healthy foods and stock up when they are on sale. =o)
I usually have to go with whatever fruits/veggies that are on sale that week because otherwise it can add up for us.
We don't eat out much any more at alllllllll...that just adds way up and is so unhealthy (most of the time).

I'm the same way. And I can find certain "health" items a lot cheaper at certain stores or when on sale.

I try to be sensible!