Expense

BrightEyesx3
BrightEyesx3 Posts: 335
edited December 22 in Food and Nutrition
So everyone knows that healthy food can be pricey, and with the economy the way it is it could possibly rise even more, and I was wondering, how do you manage to buy healthy food and not completely empty out your wallet?
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Replies

  • dotti1121
    dotti1121 Posts: 751 Member
    bump
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I just try to watch for sales. Bottom line is I need it, I get it.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,328 Member
    I make dishes that I can get 2 or even 3 meals out of. Casseroles, pasta dishes, stews, stir frys .....or I double or even triple a recipe. We eat a lot of fish and you dont have to buy real expensive fish.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    I stock up on frozen veggies, large amounts of chicken breasts (I freeze them until I need to cook a batch). Bananas are pretty much always cheap, and I grab other fruit that is in season/on sale. Anything that I can buy in bulk that will keep, I do that too. Hitting up local farmers markets is a really great way to get inexpensive produce as well, and if I can find a coupon for something I need, I for sure use it. For my family of 3, we spend about $100/week on groceries (sometimes a little more if I decide to cook something a little more exciting one or 2 nights that week).
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Buy seasonal fruits and veggies- best deals come from CSAs or farmer's markets, but load up on basically whatever's on sale.

    Incorporate beans (lentils in particular, and black beans are favorites) canned and dried beans are super cheap and you can do a ton of stuff with them.
  • JudyL5305
    JudyL5305 Posts: 196 Member
    I watch out for sales and when they come of buy extra. Sometimes even if I don't need it right now I buy it if it's on sale.
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    So, I guess the big thing for me is that I have to buy bulk meat when it's cheap and freeze it. Veggies can be expensive, but I try to just stick with the cheaper ones. Basically, for produce, I buy what happens to be cheap at the stores I go to.

    Eating healthy is really only expensive when you are buying packaged stuff. Sure, the whole wheat bread will cost more than the wonderbread, but you should save that back when you buy the cheap carrots and greens instead of chips or whatever.

    Lots of people will say farmers markets, but those tend to be more expensive than the big stores where I am.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    it's relative. i think it's cheaper considering that i used to eat out 3 meals a day 7 days a week. THAT'S expensive.

    but what i do to help reduce costs are things like doing produce shopping at farmer's markets, checking the grocery circulars for when things i use a lot are on sale and i stock up. for instance i generally shop at trader joe's mainly because it's cheaper than the other grocery store, but I will go to the regular grocers when they have stuff like turkey breast, canned tomatoes or canned tuna on sale.

    it also helps to make a weekly menu and come up with ideas that will use several things.

    also don't go for the prechopped stuff since for the most part it's more pricey for the convenience. for instance a bag of baby carrots is like $2 but i can get a bag of regular sized one for $1 or less and end up with more carrots. little stuff like that adds up
  • BrightEyesx3
    BrightEyesx3 Posts: 335
    I make dishes that I can get 2 or even 3 meals out of. Casseroles, pasta dishes, stews, stir frys .....or I double or even triple a recipe. We eat a lot of fish and you dont have to buy real expensive fish.

    My parents and I do that whole "stocking up" thing, but its the same problem, it can get expensive. We also eat a lot of fish, especially salmon.
  • trybefan
    trybefan Posts: 488 Member
    I honestly don't even consider it expensive when I look at the long term benfits of eating healty. Hopefully it will pay for itself in the decreased amount of hospital visits. That being said, I buy bulk and prepare stuff myself for my family of 7. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at home about 29/30 days a month. I shop at Sams Club or similar.
  • bm99
    bm99 Posts: 597 Member
    Buy ingredients and cook from scratch. I buy whole chickens, frozen veg (as well as a lot of fresh) and fruits and dried beans/lentils. I almost never buy canned foods or premade dinners. If something is on sale, I stock up. I actually think that buying premade dinners (which are usually less healthy) is a lot more expensive. $5 for a frozen pizza? $10 for a premade lasagna?

    I am a stay at home mom so taking the time to cook daily is a luxury I have. For someone with less time I would suggest cooking several meals on the weekends, portioning it out and freezing it for weeknights. It will still eat up some time, but if it's a priority for you it's well worth it. Good luck!
  • aspen_matthews
    aspen_matthews Posts: 94
    I go to the farmer's market weekly to stock up on inexpensive fresh fruits and veggies. I incorporate beans, lentils, and tofu for protein.
  • minkakross
    minkakross Posts: 687 Member
    Buy or pick in season then freeze, or buy frozen.
    Buy from a butcher, contrary to my original thinking that the grocery store would be cheaper the butcher was by far a better price and they prepare the cuts to order.
    Make double duty meals- example bones from my roast chicken is the base for a nice brooth to make soup or risotto or sauces.
    Meal planning is better for my budget- if I rush to the store to get something to make for dinner I always spend more than if I had a plan.
    I also discovered that once I'm paying attention to portion size meals go a lot further.
  • gypsykitchen
    gypsykitchen Posts: 34
    I keep hearing people say that healthy food is more expensive, but I've actually had the opposite experience - I spend less on groceries now than I used to! The key is to cook from fresh, unprocessed ingredients. Lots of produce (I get most of mine from farmers markets and whatever's on sale), lean meat in economy-sized packages, dry beans and other bulk foods. I guess if you don't cook, those Lean Cuisines can add up - but if you make your food from scratch, it will benefit both your body and your wallet. :)
  • hauer01
    hauer01 Posts: 516 Member
    When I am cooking a meal, I mass cook it. No wasted ingredients. Then I portion it out into individual meals and freeze. When I see a good sale on something that I would eat, I stock up and freeze or store what I can! I also do a lot of planning so that I am not buying something that I won't be using before it spoils.
  • TKHappy
    TKHappy Posts: 659 Member
    Seasonal fresh fruits and veggies! Frozen veggies not in season! Farmer's Markets! Coupons! I buy in bulk things I know I'm going to go through like brown rice and quinoa! Dried Beans! Grow my own herbs! Plan ahead and make a list!! :)

    There are some things that I just pay the price for....like my yogurts and my cheese! :)
  • VanessaMFaulkner
    VanessaMFaulkner Posts: 82
    It's a misconception. Yes, organic generally costs more. HOWEVER, processed foods, carbs, sugar are addictive foods. Make hungry faster, wanting more, eating more. Eating healthy...you eat calorie rich foods, fuller longer. Over months I've gone from a meat eater & shopper of Sams Warehouse. I have a family of 7. We spent an easy $1000 month on food...corn dogs, mac & cheese, pizza, steak, etc. Now...I spend about $500 (if that)...on fruit, veggies, quinoa, eggs (my family doesn't realize I've cut meat it pastas). I use TVP for some things, tempeh, etc.
  • HauteP1nk
    HauteP1nk Posts: 2,139 Member
    Sales, sales, sales. You have to be willing to do price comparisons and shop at numerous shopping markets for good deals.
  • bethgames
    bethgames Posts: 534 Member
    Cheaper to make lots of shredded meat at one time and use it for a bunch of stuff. Whatever is on sale. Also, no matter how expensive it gets, its still WAY cheaper than what we used to spend eating out and on pizza! :bigsmile:
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
    "Pay the farmer or pay the doctor. It's up to you." - my doctor =)
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Buy ingredients and cook from scratch. I buy whole chickens, frozen veg (as well as a lot of fresh) and fruits and dried beans/lentils. I almost never buy canned foods or premade dinners. If something is on sale, I stock up. I actually think that buying premade dinners (which are usually less healthy) is a lot more expensive. $5 for a frozen pizza? $10 for a premade lasagna?

    I am a stay at home mom so taking the time to cook daily is a luxury I have. For someone with less time I would suggest cooking several meals on the weekends, portioning it out and freezing it for weeknights. It will still eat up some time, but if it's a priority for you it's well worth it. Good luck!

    That's exactly what I do in regards to the batch cooking. Since I'm almost always in a time crunch between work, my 5 year old, the gym, etc, I cook dinner ahead of time and/or get frozen veggies, which are super quick and easy to prep (especially since a lot of them now come in steam-bags, such lifesavers for me). And I don't buy anything pre-made, it's sooo much cheaper just to cook everything from scratch, plus it's a lot better for you.
  • BrightEyesx3
    BrightEyesx3 Posts: 335
    I wasn't expecting to get so many responses this quick! But thanks everyone who responded! Its tough to keep an eye out on sale because all these grocery stores are at competition and sometimes it can be tough who has the better deal when it comes to getting more for your moolah.
  • Bambooblade
    Bambooblade Posts: 18
    I find that if you make things from scratch it's cheaper than buying prepared dishes. Also it was the snacks, biscuits and wine that was adding to my bill - I don't buy them anymore. I try and base my meals around supermarket deals, three types of meat for £10 etc... and buy fruit, veg in season & from a greengrocers rather than a supermarket. I'd say my food bill has gone down and we are all eating better
  • albinogorilla
    albinogorilla Posts: 1,056 Member
    I eat fish, chicken, and beef almost everyday. I buy them when they are on sale only. One of them is always cheaper.............
  • babycook
    babycook Posts: 172 Member
    I find my new eating habits cheaper. I use to spend 300 a week on food. I'm on a budget now and spend a hundred a week to feed a family of four. I've learned to budget, cook from scratch and buy when on sale. We don't have steak often :laugh:
  • lisasch67
    lisasch67 Posts: 135 Member
    farmer's markets. i have one outside my work and get so many fresh veggies for comparable prices and then i only spend cash. i also stock up on frozen veggies and low sodium broths and beans and other sauces. I tend to make my own dough for my splurge night which is homemade cheeseless pizza or cheeseless calzones. i also go to a grocery store that sells items in bulk so i can get fresh ground peanut butter (no additives) and olive oil and other things like quinoa and oatmeal and flax seed at super discounted prices. i am broke recent grad so i've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve. i also scour the weekly coupons in the sunday paper.
  • ZombieSlayer
    ZombieSlayer Posts: 369 Member
    - Plan meals around the weekly ads.
    - Eat vegetarian meals at least a couple times a week. Dry beans are cheap, yo.
    - Make planned-overs. (Double the dinner portions so you have lunch the next day for everyone)
    - BountifulBaskets.org
    - Local Farm Co-Op (yes, it's $450; but it's once a year and I get six months of fresh, local, organic fruits & veggies)

    $250/month - 12 month average for family of 3.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I go to a fresh veg market. I can fill my trunk w groceries and it costs me $30.
    I don't find eating healthy more expensive, I just don't buy "healthy" fad foods.
    Whole grain rice, potatoes, squash, carrots, lettuce..... cost less then a box of process ceareal, a bag of chips, a case of pop. We are trained to pay a dollar for water, but not for an apple or 2.50 for chips and instead of a bag of organic carrots. When you compare the nutrition, it costs less to eat healthy. We just have to change our thinking about value.
    Also buying in small amounts keeps the cost of wasted food down.
    Happy shopping.
  • BrightEyesx3
    BrightEyesx3 Posts: 335
    - Plan meals around the weekly ads.
    - Eat vegetarian meals at least a couple times a week. Dry beans are cheap, yo.
    - Make planned-overs. (Double the dinner portions so you have lunch the next day for everyone)
    - BountifulBaskets.org
    - Local Farm Co-Op (yes, it's $450; but it's once a year and I get six months of fresh, local, organic fruits & veggies)

    $250/month - 12 month average for family of 3.

    Can't do vegetarian meals, gotta have my meat/fish everyday lol
  • ZombieSlayer
    ZombieSlayer Posts: 369 Member
    - Plan meals around the weekly ads.
    - Eat vegetarian meals at least a couple times a week. Dry beans are cheap, yo.
    - Make planned-overs. (Double the dinner portions so you have lunch the next day for everyone)
    - BountifulBaskets.org
    - Local Farm Co-Op (yes, it's $450; but it's once a year and I get six months of fresh, local, organic fruits & veggies)

    $250/month - 12 month average for family of 3.

    Can't do vegetarian meals, gotta have my meat/fish everyday lol

    If you absolutely can't live without meat... put a 1/4 lb of burger/ground turkey into that bean dish... teensy bit of meat = very long way.
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