Ms. Pizza I came across this
article today claiming that scientists are worried the troubled economy will result in obesity rates increasing. The less money people have to spend on food could lead to them purchasing cheaper food or fast food, which isn't usually the best for you.
Before I moved to Manhattan from Albany, NY, I was extremely health conscious; I only ate whole grains, organic fruits and vegetables, only fish (no chicken, pork or beef) and I worked out regularly. After I arrived here though and started taking nine classes while looking for a job and internship, I pretty much threw my old lifestyle out the window and watched it fall.
Becoming financially tight (this is New York City after all) I started to stock up on ramen, whatever cereal that didn't cost over $6 and anything I could put in my stomach that didn't break my weekly allowance I gave myself. I can definitely see what this article is saying because it's happened to me personally.
I've been thinking a lot about how to eat healthier on a budget like mine and after doing some google searches, found this
article that has tips on how to eat healthy and not risk bill collectors. It's interesting and informative, for those who are also having this dilemma or are curious.
What are your some suggestions to eating healthy on a budget? Has your health been affected because of a food budget?
Comments (29)
yeah, budget definitely changes the way you eat.
first, find an Aldi store. I refuse to buy overpriced food, and Aldi has none. and you can never be afraid to try something new there because they have a double money back guarantee! if there isn't an Aldi near you, find the cheapest grocery store you can, even if it's walmart (usually it's a small chain or family one, though).
also, live by the coupon. and the sale. you get all those sale papers in your mailbox anyway, so sit down and plan your course of action. this week meijer may have a great sale on something you need, and next week it'll be kroger. or you might be able to "splurge" on something that you normally couldn't buy b/c it's on super sale! I like to go grocery shopping weekly so I can better follow the ads and stack up on staples when they go on sale.
Go for the coupons and look for good deals you can get, like buy one, get one free.
Save leftovers and you can have food for tomorrow, too.
When I was in college and didn't have the most money for food I found I would go to fast food places and buy a couple things off the value menu. Eating healthy usually is a little more expensive. I find that when I am trying to spend less money it always ends up being food that isn't that great for me.
It's expensive, but in the long run, if you eat poorly even though it's cheap, you'll be paying tons of bills when you have heart disease, diabetes, etc. So, spend the money now and eat right!
I eat whole grains, organic food, and chicken mostly meat wise...fish if I'm not allergic to it...and I LOVE eating those things. I eat like a rabbit one of my friends say, haha. But I'm a broke ass college kid and I HAVE to adjust my roommates eating habits because it is almost physically impossible for her to stuff a fruit in her mouth and she can't find room to give me a one up. She won't eat wheat and other whole grains...it has to white bread. She lets me get a few fruits and veggies...and I know they're mine, haha. We have no meat because it's 'too expensive' I don't remember the last time I ate meat and I can feel it missing.
We mostly buy complete crap and I end up not eating a lot, period. Just enough. I go to the food court and make a salad for dinner.
Thanks so much for sharing that article! It was very helpful. Right now I am struggling with eating healthy because my money is so tight. The cheaper food is usually the food that isn't as good for you.
following a low meat and more veggies + fruits diet has always helped out with my food budget.
its tough living in NYC and trying to find a budget. Many resort to fast food to get their meals cuz its too expensive other wise
thanks for subscribing :)
I'm not having any problem eating okay. I use as many coupons as I can and explore the sales. It takes more time to get my groceries, but I save money and still manage to eat pretty healthy.
I don't think it will affect our family, since we already look for the bargains and don't really buy expensive things.
Oatmeal and tuna have made their way into my diet. Both cheap, and healthy.
I clip coupons almost every day! Back home, there was a family dollar that sold double fiber bread for $1!!! I used to go, stock up, and freeze them so I would have bread when I was super broke. I miss that store. :( I lived off that bread, tuna, and oatmeal.
Oh and for people who say it's better to spend it now rather than later, you really can't think about that when you have to choose between having a roof over your head or getting healthier food.
I agree... my annual food budget is approaching $19k which doesn't include another $1.2k in supplements/vitamins/minerals. The cost of trying to maintain a bodybuilding lifestyle to stay competitive with my buddies who compete at the amateur level (two of them professionally).
I have a few suggestions- 1) dried beans are economical, easy to cook, have tons of fiber and protein- stock up! 2) store brands of canned and packaged food is much cheaper- I love the Whole Foods store brand stuff, and 3) buy what's in season.
My favorite way to save is to limit meat- it's astounding how little 3 ounces actually is! If you pay attention to the proper serving sizes, you will (probably) spend less because your food will last longer. As for meat, divide it into portions, freeze it, and thaw as you use it.
Not only is there less available healthy food, but when times are tough economically, people tend to overeat as a source of comfort, they are more stressed (which leads to weight gain), and they have less time to relax and exercise due to increased hours at work.
I'm in college. I am the typical broke college kid. My solution? Buy when it's on sale, clip coupons, and buy canned. Also: generic brands are a life saver. There is little to no nutritional difference between the generic version and the higher priced brand name. I actually think I live a bit healthier than my friends with more money. I don't have the cash to go out to eat all the time, and I don't have the extra money for gas, so I'm more likely to walk.
One more thing: RICE IS A GODSEND!
Buy fruits and vegetables in season.
Buy store brand products.
I'm a vegetarian but I still recomend it - TVP (textured vegetable protien) as opposed to hamburger. Its soo much cheaper. 250ml /1cup of boiling water plus 250ml/1cup of TVP makes a pound of ground beef and then you're good to go.
If I could buy a $7 ceasar salad every day I would, but I can't afford that, so I buy a large fries from Burger King for like $2.
I find myself purchasing fast food only when we don't have enough money for groceries. It's more often than I would like, but there's nothing we can do about it.
We're far from obese, though.
Yes, definitely. Think of it as the dollar menu at McDonalds...are you going to go for something worth a dollar or perhaps a $5 dollar "healthy" sub?
Buying in bulk, and then freezing the rest. Sam's Club and Costco for the win.
instead of ramen buy instant plain oatmeal. put 1/2-1cup in a bowl with some water or skim milk and heat up. that was trick i'd do for school because it kept me full, energized, and it was also healthy. i like to add a chopped banana or a diced apple and a dash of cinnamon (if you have). you can also add an egg instead of oats if you want savory oats. i add flax seeds for added health benefits. it's inexpensive and a good way to get your dose of omega 3's. in the end, the price you spend on oatmeal will only be a little more than ramen but it is soooo much better for you.
another trick is to get thick-skinned veggies and fruits that are non-organic. things like bananas don't have to be organic because you can peel the skin off. whereas you would want to go for organic on foods such as tomatoes. if i can think of any other options i'll definitely respond again. :)
its sort of like a college student, eating junk food because they are broke and have no money. when most of the city and most of the united states doesn't have money, the real problem starts because obesity rates will rocket sky high.
@maganda@xanga - so you add an egg to the oats? How? I love oats but now I'm confused..