low income low weight

ultrasexy
ultrasexy Posts: 1
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
due to fact that i receive foodstamps, im tryin to shop healthy, but it so expensive. i just really to need to lose weight.

Replies

  • bootsnspurs4horses
    bootsnspurs4horses Posts: 76
    a HEALTHY START is baked potatoes instead of fried. They are cheap.

    and eggs and toast. . again very cheap. . .

    use 5 minute oatmeal. . with a little brown sugar. . . . or even cinnamon..


    It's the little steps that start you looking in the healthy direction.


    It starts in the way the brain thinks, and the stomach will follow. I never would have thought I actually enjoy a can of chickpeas over the doritos !! But I certainly do. . . and I even eat celery with it now !! I KNOW !! I can't believe it !!! But it is true.
  • GTOgirl1969
    GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
    buy your meats (like chicken, lean beef/ground beef) in bulk- you can always split it up into smaller packages. Buy whatever fruits and veggies are in season/on sale- canned fruit and veggies are OK but watch for sugar and sodium. Wheat bread is relatively inexpensive, as are beans and brown rice. I was in the same situation a while back so I can definitely relate.
  • AlannaPie
    AlannaPie Posts: 349 Member
    Eggs!!!

    And tuna fish, separately of course
  • jlefton1212
    jlefton1212 Posts: 171 Member
    I find that planning to hit the store more than once during the week (like, Sunday and Thursday) helps me to buy only the produce that I can reasonably eat within the next three days, so it is less likely to go bad and go to waste. Also, I will buy something like a pound of fresh spinach, and try to find ways to work it in to multiple meals so that it doesn't go to waste. (In a salad, in an omelette, in a whole wheat pasta stir-fry, etc.)

    Also, many stores now are listing the "price per ounce" on their shelves. I use this a lot when I need to compare and find out which option is giving me more food for my dollar.

    I know lots of MFP-ers have great tips on living a healthy lifestyle while on a budget -- I learn from them every day! Best of luck to you on your fitness journey. :smile:
  • Wecandothis
    Wecandothis Posts: 1,083 Member
    I understand exactly what you are saying. As a single mother I was VERY concerned that making these changes would be too expensive for the family. However I have found that purchasing fresh produce, and meat in bulk as someone above mentioned that it's actually less expensive than processed and pre-packaged meals.

    But I had to learn how to cook. I stir fry lots of things - using some meat - not nearly as much as I would have before - and lots of fresh veggies. Lots of onions and they are cheap.

    I understand your worries, but the best thing I did was begin to educate yourself about the types of food that are fresh and have a high nutritional value, then begin to incorporate them into the meals I was serving, and trying to cook. :)

    I know where you're at. I know it's a daunting task. I had NO IDEA that I would have to re-learn everything I thought I knew about food. But I did it, and that means you can too.

    We're here for you! Just keep reading the boards, and ask questions if you need too. You'll get answers, the people here are GREAT, wise and helpful.

    Good luck to you, I wish you the best! I know that this path that you are now on will be a successful one!
  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    I find that buying leaner meats costs more up front but it goes further - 1 pound of 93% hamburger will feed my family of 4 each a NICE hamburger but it takes 2 pounds of the cheap stuff....

    Old Fashioned oat meal is way cheaper than the prepackaged stuff and only takes a couple minutes to fix.
    Tuna's a great stand by
    peanut butter
    fresh fruits - watch for what's on sale
    frozen veggies are usually cheaper than fresh
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    Hello and welcome to MFP, the best website ever!!!! You will love it here if you don't already. I love it here. This site is so supportive, motivational, helpful, easy to use, and everyone here is so nice and friendly. I just wanted to wish you much success on your weight loss journey. You can do this!!!!!!! :smile: :flowerforyou: :smile: :flowerforyou:
  • JStarnes
    JStarnes Posts: 5,576 Member
    My fam. of 4 of is also on food assistance (DH is a SAHD and I'm the only one with a paycheck - daycare expenses were too outrageous, didn't make sense for DH to even work if over half his checks would go to daycare & gas to get back & forth to daycare/work) anyway - we find it easier to buy fresh foods now that we've got the assitance - before we had help we would buy the bare minimum (which was like 90% packaged foods) but now we've actually got money carried over to the next month bc we're spending the money on fresh foods instaed of packaged/prepared foods - and we're eating at home a lot more- you can't swipe that food stamps card at mcdonalds. :tongue: Welcome to MFP & GL! :flowerforyou:
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