Why is it that food that isn't bad for you always much more expensive than food that is? It makes losing weight somewhat more expensive than being fat and dying from some heart disease.
Maybe it's just basic economics. I'm sure the demand for a McDonald's double cheeseburger is much higher than a head of broccoli, therefore driving up competition and is why I can't get broccoli for $1. I'm not even going to add in costs for cooking and such. Asparagus is even worse - and I like asparagus. It's almost become a treat for me to eat vegetables.
Working off this realization, I began to wonder...when vegetables become a "treat" and I have no qualms paying $1 for a cheeseburger or 2 pieces of fried chicken, it almost seems that the two most sought after goals on these blogs - saving money and losing weight - have become enemies to one another.
Ramen noodles, widely regarded as perhaps the cheapest "meal" (at $0.10) out there, may also be one of the most unhealthiest. However, if you wanted a pomegranate, full of antioxidants and other healthy stuff that I know nothing about, it'll run you $3. It's somewhat of a stretch, but in this example, it seems like eating healthy costs 30x more than not. Not a great example, but I guess it's just something to get the point across.
To me, it seems not impossible but rather difficult to maintain a balance of healthy diet and frugality. So this goes out to all the readers: what do you do to keep costs low and food healthy?
I Can't Afford to Be Skinny
December 13th, 2007 at 06:41 pm
December 13th, 2007 at 07:07 pm 1197572847
It helps to have rice as the main staple too
December 13th, 2007 at 07:09 pm 1197572981
From my perspective though, it's an investment on your long-term health, and as such, it could actually cost you less in the end. You may end up having to go to the doctor and the hospital less often, and take less medications.
For me anyway, it turned out to be a saving! That is, trying to cook at home is cheaper when compared to eating out. But maybe that's just me.
December 13th, 2007 at 07:11 pm 1197573060
For my family I try to cook at home as much as possible since foods you prepare yourself are typically healtier than fast food. Eating in moderation is key too. Keeps money in your pocket and inches off your waist if you don't eat alot. Also load up on water and high fiber foods so you feel fuller longer.
I am guilty of grabbing stuff on the go because it is convenient. Not doing this will be one of my goals for the new year.
December 13th, 2007 at 08:49 pm 1197578972
I also religiously shop the sale items each week. If you shop at Stop & Shop, for example, you can sign up online to receive their weekly online salese circular, so you can plan what sale items you'll be getting in advance. I'm guessing all the other major supermarkets have similar programs.
December 13th, 2007 at 09:46 pm 1197582418
December 13th, 2007 at 11:15 pm 1197587714
And fern is absolutely right. Even today with our global economy, fruits and veggies still have a natural season. Certain times of year, grapes are about $1.00/lb around here. The other day, at the same store, they were $4.00/lb. Guess what. We didn't buy any grapes. However, Clementine oranges from Spain are now in season. These can be $6.99/case out of season, but I got a case on sale the other day for $2.98.
The Asian markets are worth checking out, but you really need to know your prices. Sometimes, their produce prices are fantastic. Othertimes, they are more costly than the regular stores. Places like Produce Junction are also good, but we find their quality usually sub-par. That can be fine for veggies that we'll be chopping up and cooking, like to make soup, but not so good for dishes where appearance is more of an issue.
Finally, you should keep in mind that the healthy stuff is more filling. Eat that $1.00 cheeseburger and you'll be hungry in an hour. Eat a dish of grilled veggies over brown rice and you'll be stuffed for the night.
December 13th, 2007 at 11:24 pm 1197588275
December 14th, 2007 at 03:28 am 1197602933
I do the $1 fast food meals, but those don't have to be bad for you. I get a taco at Taco Bell and bring a salad from home, or carrots or yogurt. Water is a lot cheaper than soda too.
December 14th, 2007 at 05:05 am 1197608736
December 14th, 2007 at 05:37 am 1197610668
Price book, price book, price book.
Buy produce in season. By definition, it should be the cheapest.
Check out the loss leaders from grocery store flyers. You probably won't get that great a deal this time of year, but it doesn't hurt to get into the habit.
Buy frozen, but compare to fresh. For example, I stocked up on 16 oz bags of green beans at .99/ bag, which works out to .99/lb. Compare it to about 2$/lbs for fresh green beans (Seattle prices). And weirdly enough, sometimes even canned items would work also. For example, there's more lycopene (an antioxidant) in canned tomatoes than fresh.
Watch where you shop. I've found that the best produce deals can be gotten at little produce stands and ethnic stores. Even ethnic grocery stores can be better than the regular chains. You will have to learn to pick produce though - don't just grab off the top!
Be willing to eat weird - asian squash, yuca, opo. The huh? factor often knocks a lot of the price. Check online for recipes.
When you buy, eat it all and use it up. If you have to toss, you've wasted money.
December 14th, 2007 at 07:32 am 1197617564
This coming year, I am going to get religious about my price book. I hate going to a store and wondering if it's cheaper somewhere else. I also don't understand buying say, bananas at the grocery store for 2lbs $1 when I can buy them at the fruit stand for 6lbs for $1. We have a lot of local fruit stands that aren't labled organic b/c of the strict codes they would have to pass, but I have talked to the farmers myself and they don't use peticides. That's been the best money saving trick for me.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:44 pm 1197636255
These are great ideas, everyone!
December 17th, 2007 at 02:16 pm 1197900993
I did read somewhere that prices are often times even HIGHER in low income areas. Good grief!! Nothing like kicking the downtrodden when they're down already.
I like the idea of the frozen veggies. Here we can often find the stir fry veggies on sale for 88 cents a bag. Cheap enough. Throw it in a skillet w/a dash of olive oil & just a few ounces of chicken or beef and add some rice and nicely done & quite filling for little dollars.
Don't forget you can get some great nutrients from a store brand of tomato juice as well. Beans are also cheap and a good source of protein.
Check out your local home economist at your local county extension office, call or see their websites. Good resource on how to do a lot with a little.
December 17th, 2007 at 02:17 pm 1197901055
December 17th, 2007 at 04:31 pm 1197909087
You might want to explore cheap veggie meals here:
http://home.swbell.net/jonceram/cheap.html
December 17th, 2007 at 09:13 pm 1197926015
So if you think of it that way, and you buy broccoli which you pair with some whole wheat pasta and garlic and olive oil, that whole meal would cost you about $5--and you might have leftovers! $2.50 a piece then. Or buy dried beans and pair with brown rice or quinoa from the bulk section, some cheap veg like carrots, onions and canned tomatoes and some spices--that's good eatin' that may cost a bit but will make like 10 lunches, which you can freeze so you don't have to eat them all in a row.
Those are just a couple examples, but I will say that my family of three eats quite healthy on a budget of $900 per month--that's just over $3 per person per meal. It's actually less because we lump all household purchases together--so that $900 also includes cleaning supplies, paper products (recycled--the expensive kind), the occasional bottle of wine, etc. Overall we're at less than $3 per person per meal. The key is to be organized: plan your menu, cook every meal at home, and cook extra and freeze your leftovers.
Just some ideas! Good luck,
CJ
December 18th, 2007 at 01:56 pm 1197986217
December 21st, 2007 at 08:32 pm 1198269140
But in general it's not only what you eat, but how much you eat. Fat is not necessarily bad, but too much is. The same is true for a lot of things. A common wisdom says: eat with variety and in moderation.
December 25th, 2007 at 04:18 am 1198556291
December 28th, 2007 at 06:11 am 1198822288