Comments on: Healthy Food on a Budget (Your Advice)

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:28:55 +0000

Try shopping at a butcher for meat and farmers market for fruits and vegetables. The meat is normally cheaper and a better cut at the butcher. Really easy to get in bulk as well. Fruits and Vegetables in farmers markets tend to be a lot cheaper as well.

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:50:45 +0000

I only receive about 230.00 a month. I also use food stamps which help a lot. Have you tried food stamps?

By: Jodi

Jodi — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:13:56 +0000

Is there a “scratch and dent” store near you? We have a local one and I usually pay about half of what a grocery store would cost. Some of the packages are ripped or missing (i.e. DiGiorno pizza for $1.89 without the box), and a few things are even expired (sour cream, cheese – all stay good well past the date), but if you can shop carefully, you can save a ton. They carry fresh fruits and veggies grown locally that are very reasonably priced, plus they put whatever is about to spoil on clearance. I’ve gotten peppers, cukes, etc. for $.10 each before. I either use them immediately or freeze (depending on the veggies) for future use.
If you don’t have a store like this, Aldi’s works well for canned goods. I’ve tried the coupon route, but to be honest, I ended up buying more convenience foods because they were a “good deal”. Now I stick to scratch foods and only use coupons rarely when it’s an item I would buy anyway. Keep an eye on the local flyers for good deals and stock up – that’s probably the best way to save. Get a used cheap freezer if you have the room. If you don’t have a price book, get a copy of the Tightwad Gazette and learn how to make one. Garden, if you can. And if you can garden, freeze or can your excess.
I eat healthily on the South Beach diet. Lots of fresh fruits and veggies, WHOLE grains, good fats, lean meats…it does cost a little bit more than white bread, instant foods, etc. but it’s worth it. I save money by not buying expensive “healthy” cereals, but by making my own granola and oatmeal from bulk rolled oats ($.49/lb) and by avoiding all the gimmicky “low-fat” health foods (many of which really do not help you lose weight!).

By: viola

viola — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:45:19 +0000

The above post is from me, I have used my other username by accident. SORRY!!!

By: dare2baware

dare2baware — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:44:13 +0000

It is just a matter of getting used to where to shop and to make something out of nothing which still has sufficient nutritional value….

Are you a good cook?

By: Israel

Israel — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:59:01 +0000

i find it difficult to buy low cost healthy food.

By: viola

viola — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 20:22:31 +0000

Well, there is not much that I agree on with any of the comments that have been left on here. The meat intake, the Tuna fish (full of mercury), the FATS….WOW!!! To me most of it sounds awfully unbalanced as well as unhealthy.

I work in english pound and $300 are roughly �150….I used to feed 2 adults and 3 children on �200 ($400). I do not know how it is in the US (assuming you are in America), but In the UK we have deals ‘buy1get1free’, ‘buy 3 pay for 2′ etc…and as times were hard and money was ‘tight’ in these days, I learned how to budget, how to cook… I learned how to make somehing nutritious out of nothing, without chemicals or additives. I learned how to ‘handle’ money and make it worth twice and sometimes three times as much. And I even had money left over at the end of the month.

Now, years later, (where I don’t really need to budget anymore)I cook for myself, for my daughter and my grandaughter EVERY DAY (and we usually have an extra person on a regular basis every day ‘to feed’, as I have 5 children. We only use ORGANIC produce (NOTHING else in my cupboards)and have a Box delivery scheme every Tuesday of mixed vegetables, assorted salad (lettuce etc), a large fruit box with a variety of 5 different fruits, as well as dates, organic-free range eggs, sprouted seeds…This works out at about �40 ($80) for all of us for the whole week…

I think after 30 years of having children, you get used to where to shop and finding deals as well as offers….and I also agree, MORE FRUIT AND VEGGIES, preferable raw energy!!!

By: luv2shop

luv2shop — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:03:29 +0000

It also helps if you learn to use coupons as they can bring some incredible savings and allow for some variety when budgets are tight. You have to learn the system and it takes some time, but can help reduce your costs. A good place to start for basic information is at grocery coupon guide

By: Mama Sage

Mama Sage — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:54:14 +0000

Oh yes! Ann is right. Share is great for someone wanting to get started with cheaper eating. Angel Food Ministries is a similar program.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:42:50 +0000

Fill your pantry with dried goods and buy veggies fresh. Use water and spices for cooking, and make large batches of soups from dried beans, whole chicken, potatoes, and your veggies. Eat some, cool the rest, and freeze for later dinners. Use the dried pastas and rices in your pantry to supplement the soups.

Spending $20 on a soup, pasta sauce, chili or chile today can make up to ten meals for your future. This month, you invest, and next month you can have extra monies for expanding your menus.

I would also argue on the “healthy” merit of grains. A nice bowl of non-sugar cereal with fruit or carrot sticks is an excellent breakfast. Corn, wheat, rice, and rye are my preferred grains.

Other long term plans: Grow a garden: Indoors is okay. Even just tomatoes can make a difference. Learn how to trim large pieces of meat (Like a pork tenderloin). Buying large, spending time to trim and parcel, and freezing meats secures food for later. This may require buying a vacuum sealer, depending on the risk of freezer burn. Divide your money into “Money for the next three months” and work on food storage. There is no need to buy food each day or even each week; that can get expensive.

We have “Share” in our community. http://www.sharecolorado.com/, and use the “host site location” menu to see if they have it in your community. If not, maybe you can talk to your church about it.

Lastly, If your daughter is under five, she may qualify for WIC. You can get things like PB, cheese, milk, dried beans, and cereal. If you are queazy about accepting government aid, discover how you can volunteer your time or make non-monetary donations.