Eating healthy on a budget.

[russianrocket]

I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss.

Every time I run low on money, I start to eat food that isn't as healthy as I'd like. Then of course, the worse I eat, the worse I feel, and the less motivated I am to make money.

So, what does everyone do to eat healthy on a budget?

I'd like to keep this a thread about buying food, instead of what food is healthy. But, I'm sure it will get to that anyways, so go at it.


The calorie/dollar is a big consideration. Because even if you can buy a lot of food cheap, it doesn't mean that it will effectively add up to be enough calories per day.

[Angela]

I'm giving Tim Ferris' slow-carb challenge a go this week, and boy, is it cheap!

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by Angela

I'm giving Tim Ferris' slow-carb challenge a go this week, and boy, is it cheap!

I dunno lol fruit can be cheap as hell. An orange can be 65 cents a lb vs meat being $5 a lb.

[James81]

What I did when I was on a strict budget:

I start at the budget markets first. That is, there are markets where they drop the price of food if you bag your own groceries and you can settle for non-brand name stuff. I can fill my buggy with food in this market for like $70. Not all of it is healthy, but that's not my point. There ARE loads of healthy foods there and they are cheaper than your regular markets. Canned goods are my primary focus for going to this market. Canned fruits and vegetables can be purchased for very cheap and it's quite healthy.

I'm a bit iffy about the produce in this market, so I usually don't buy the fresh stuff there. But I start there and get what I can for as cheap as I can. (Canned goods, condiments, cereal, etc.)

For non-perishables (cleaning supplies, bathroom materials, sandwich bags, aluminum foil etc.) I go to the local dollar store and buy that stuff there.

Adding in this step BEFORE you go to your local "regular" grocery store (for me it's Walmart...bah ) actually cuts down the cost of the non-essential stuff, the "filler" stuff, that gets factored into your food bill in such a way that you can afford to get the more quality stuff from the better place.

I finish my shopping at the Walmart grocery center where I buy my produce and meat (and any name brand items I just *can't* live without...like mayo ).

I can walk away from a grocery spree like that without spending more than $100 and I have enough groceries for myself for at least two weeks. Plus, I have my kids alot so I'm feeding more than just myself with that $100.

The key to it is:

Cleaning supplies
Non-perishables
Canned goods

are all bought at these little "cheapo" markets because they aren't essential. Then you free up the funds to pay for the more healthy stuff at the main grocery store you like to go to.

A couple of other tips:

1. Buying stuff on sale in bulk and then freezing/canning it.
2. Finding coupons online or in your "junk" mail (there's usually coupons mailed out all the time in junk mail).
3. Finding ways to reduce the cost of the non-essential stuff so that you free up more money for the more important, more healthy stuff.
4. Recognizing that name brands are mostly paying for a label.

Just these tips alone can save you LOADS of money on groceries. I used to see it as a game to see how cheap I could make my grocery bill while still enjoying the foods I love. I think at one point I was spending about $75 every two weeks on groceries while doing this and I ate pretty good.

[russianrocket]

Well, see the thing is lol I have trouble seeing canned foods as healthy.


But, if you are going in that direction... my roommate would put you to SHAME!! .

She is a coupon god.

When she goes shopping, they literally PAY her to buy stuff. She has a coupon from the store and from the manufacturer, which sometimes comes out into the negative. And as long as she purchases something along side that, the computers HAVE to give her money. She's asked to go shopping with me a few times, so that she could fill half the cart full of free food, which she paid nothing for, but had to have a paid item along side of it, which was the food I paid for. I remember one time she came home with $100 worth of food, for $15...

Here is one example. Total cost before coupons/sales/etc $61.
Total spent. $16


$70 total.
Total spent, $20.

[secrets0stolen]

Farmer's markets, little food stands, etc. In the summer I can get a 10lb water melon for a dollar from a local family of farmers. This time of year prickly pear cactus's are fruiting (where I am) and people use them as landscaping--just ask to take them before they rot and: free fruit! For some crazy reason, rich people around here don't like to eat stuff that's actually in their yard. These are all over in business landscaping too. Kudzu roots taste like big potatoes and are once again free cause kudzu's such a nuisance around here (my brother and I actually made a soup with them and wild onions--which are also free and everywhere--yesterday). Bananas are .39/pound or even free when they're ripe. I freeze the ones I can't eat fresh for ice-cream consistency smoothies. There's also collard farms (in the winter other greens in the summer) around here and the farmers often have extra. Some of my meat-eating friends (who also happen to be a bit rednecky XD) hit a deer with their car and had dinner for three weeks!

I garden too, and that's virtually free since I use reclaimed material to make beds. I compost, but I also have to haul in some other compost, so that's the one expense there. I've really got to get a better system set up and then I actually can produce all the compost I need. But I'm still searching for enough old pallets.

Granted, a lot this stuff is pretty region specific, but I didn't think my region had any of this when I first started looking.

[James81]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Well, see the thing is lol I have trouble seeing canned foods as healthy.


But, if you are going in that direction... my roommate would put you to SHAME!! .

She is a coupon god.

When she goes shopping, they literally PAY her to buy stuff. She has a coupon from the store and from the manufacturer, which sometimes comes out into the negative. And as long as she purchases something along side that, the computers HAVE to give her money. She's asked to go shopping with me a few times, so that she could fill half the cart full of free food, which she paid nothing for, but had to have a paid item along side of it, which was the food I paid for. I remember one time she came home with $100 worth of food, for $15...

Here is one example. Total cost before coupons/sales/etc $61.
Total spent. $16


$70 total.
Total spent, $20.

Hahaha, that's amazing.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by James81

Hahaha, that's amazing.

I know right? And unlike most coupon crazy people, the stuff she bought, she actually ate. Nothing about buying bulk and storing up. Or just buying stuff for the hell of it. There are a ton of websites out there that will tell you about all the best deals. And all the coupons, and link you to the sites you can print them off, and even how to combine coupons.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I dunno lol fruit can be cheap as hell. An orange can be 65 cents a lb vs meat being $5 a lb.

I'm not including much meat on this plan as I don't have a lot of appetite for it. The chicken I sometimes buy is very inexpensive, though -- I get those huge packs of boneless breasts and cook up a whole big batch at once, pack it into little baggies and freeze them, and just take a packet out as I need it - so it lasts a long time. Also using protein powder, which is the most expensive part of the plan but suits me well.

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by James81

(for me it's Walmart...bah )

Hey I go to Earthfare and 14 Carrot when I can get a ride, but other than that it's--get this-- the Piggly Wiggly.

[James81]

Oh, and another idea I just thought of...but it requires you to get or have a deep freeze (or lots of freezer space).

My parents buy a half a beef (half the meat off of a cow) from a local farmer every year. Granted, it's like $500 or so at one time just for the meat, but the meat lasts them all year long, and the per pound price of it is insanely cheaper than buying it from the market (I think it's like $2 per pound for ALL the meat...which includes steaks, hamburger, roasts, liver, etc.). Plus, the meat is like FIFTY times tastier, less greasy, and it's also more "ethical" to boot (i.e. it's a local farmer that you know isn't mass herding the animals into a little nazi chamber of death ).

[James81]

Originally Posted by secrets0stolen

Hey I go to Earthfare and 14 Carrot when I can get a ride, but other than that it's--get this-- the Piggly Wiggly.

LOL.

This little Piggly Wiggly went to the market....this little Piggly Wiggly stayed home....

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by James81

Oh, and another idea I just thought of...but it requires you to get or have a deep freeze (or lots of freezer space).

My parents buy a half a beef (half the meat off of a cow) from a local farmer every year. Granted, it's like $500 or so at one time just for the meat, but the meat lasts them all year long, and the per pound price of it is insanely cheaper than buying it from the market (I think it's like $2 per pound for ALL the meat...which includes steaks, hamburger, roasts, liver, etc.). Plus, the meat is like FIFTY times tastier, less greasy, and it's also more "ethical" to boot (i.e. it's a local farmer that you know isn't mass herding the animals into a little nazi chamber of death ).

My family used to buy buffalo like this, it was a really awesome deal in pretty much the same ways you're mentioning here. It was leaner, but my dad and brother and grandma (the big "meat people" in the family) actually liked it better than beef!

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by James81

LOL.

This little Piggly Wiggly went to the market....this little Piggly Wiggly stayed home....

You could imagine my surprise when I found out they actually have organic greens! Booyah!

[SatvikBeri]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I dunno lol fruit can be cheap as hell. An orange can be 65 cents a lb vs meat being $5 a lb.

A pound of oranges is 214 calories, whereas a pound of chicken has around 500 and a pound of beef has around 800-1200, depending on the part of the beef.

Fruits are still cheaper by calories, but by more like a factor of 2-3 than a factor of 8.

Lentils are a cheap, excellent source of protein.

[AndrewJen]

My friends and I have become pretty masterful at budget shopping while keeping it healthy, we also get into the negatives sometimes where the self-cashier machines pay us back.

It's a mix of knowing what you'll eat (so much food gets wasted), knowing how to utilize prices, and maximizing nutrition...

Someone mentioned Tim Ferris's slow-carb diet. It is absolutely cheap whether you buy meat or not (I eat seafood but the bulk of my diet is vegetarian). Beans, eggs, veggies, and protein powder are the bulk of the diet and all that stuff is cheap.

Even protein powder isn't that expensive, I buy 3 lbs of vegan rice protein, its $35 even, but there are 90 servings of 12g protein... that's 38 cents per drink, and if you get whey or other protein at disount it can be as low as 10 cents per drink.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss.

Every time I run low on money, I start to eat food that isn't as healthy as I'd like. Then of course, the worse I eat, the worse I feel, and the less motivated I am to make money.

So, what does everyone do to eat healthy on a budget?

I'd like to keep this a thread about buying food, instead of what food is healthy. But, I'm sure it will get to that anyways, so go at it.


The calorie/dollar is a big consideration. Because even if you can buy a lot of food cheap, it doesn't mean that it will effectively add up to be enough calories per day.

Well,
sardines can be found relatively cheap; don't know what your warehouse store options are in FL...I can get a can(in water) in the .80 range...
Most areas have locals selling Eggs from their own backyard hens...
Winter Squash,Potatoes and Yams are cheap and great for workout recovery
Veggies in season are usually the play as well http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/images/season.jpg

The only thing pricey really is Range free Chicken and Beef--though I personally know a farmer and get Unreal deals on Beef--but I realize I'm really lucky in that.
Sometimes in a pinch I'll get Costco's whey protein and go with that to give me a hit of protein and load up on veggies

Also, Coconut Oil, if you shop it, can be great for killing hunger on the cheap and get healthy saturated fat + Lauric acid in the deal. Extra Virgin is pricier, I prefer regular myself,taste-wise.

[Angela]

AndrewJen, I haven't found a rice protein I can stomach -- they taste just awful to me! I haven't found a good-tasting protein powder with a per-serving cost like you describe, but I continue to seek.

Testing testing ... hey! Suddenly I can edit my posts again!

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by SatvikBeri

Lentils are a cheap, excellent source of protein.

They're certainly good to have around. They made a nice thickner for the kudzu-wild onion soup.

[Angela]

Lentils -- yummy yum yum!!

[James81]

Originally Posted by secrets0stolen

They're certainly good to have around. They made a nice thickner for the kudzu-wild onion soup.

Ahhhh, man, there's nothing like a big ole bowl of lentils and some cornbread. Yee haw.

[Dimond]

Green smoothies with bananas and whatever is the cheapest leafy green or celery. Can sometimes add in low-cost fats like sunflower seeds. Apples can be turned into a variety of meals. There's many ways to eat very healthy on a limited budget, so there's really no reason not to.

[spacecadetglow]

Not sure if anyone's mentioned it, but buying dried lentils/beans is super cheap. You can make a big pot of black bean soup and freeze it.

[AndrewJen]

Originally Posted by Angela

AndrewJen, I haven't found a rice protein I can stomach -- they taste just awful to me! I haven't found a good-tasting protein powder with a per-serving cost like you describe, but I continue to seek.

Testing testing ... hey! Suddenly I can edit my posts again!

I admit the rice protein isn't tastey but I can down it. Whey tastes much better to me but I try to avoid animal products, especially dairy (dairy makes me feel sick sometimes, not lactose intolerant, just feel gross and flemmy).

If you frequent vitamin shops like... the vitamin shoppe, or GNC, they have really good clearance deals sometimes. Some shops have specific days during the month so if you find friendly employees they might clue you in on when to come.

[Angela]

I'll take a look - need a trip to the Vitamin Shoppe for some probiotics anyway!

Oh, plus, I'm staying away from all grain products (including rice) anyway for this trial, to see how I feel without 'em.

[AndrewJen]

Originally Posted by Angela

I'll take a look - need a trip to the Vitamin Shoppe for some probiotics anyway!

Oh, plus, I'm staying away from all grain products (including rice) anyway for this trial, to see how I feel without 'em.

My best friend is using egg-white protein powder, it tastes a lot better, but it costs a bit more too which is why im still downing the rice powder. I might switch back to whey once im done to see how it feels again. Just gotta experiment for ourselves and share :}

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by AndrewJen

My best friend is using egg-white protein powder, it tastes a lot better, but it costs a bit more too which is why im still downing the rice powder. I might switch back to whey once im done to see how it feels again. Just gotta experiment for ourselves and share :}

Personally, I see no point in egg-white protein powder, nor a point to separating the egg white from the egg yolk. Both are just as beneficial, and are much better for you in combination. Instead of a protein shake, I go rocky style, and down 3 raw whole ( Organic free range of course) eggs. 220 calories at 90 cents, plus a ton of protien

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by spacecadetglow

Not sure if anyone's mentioned it, but buying dried lentils/beans is super cheap. You can make a big pot of black bean soup and freeze it.

I've wanted to do stuff like that lol but... I'm very bad at cooking anything. Best I can do is eggs. I always mess up anything that has to be boiled.

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I've wanted to do stuff like that lol but... I'm very bad at cooking anything. Best I can do is eggs. I always mess up anything that has to be boiled.

I don't mean to sound rude but...how? lol

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by secrets0stolen

I don't mean to sound rude but...how? lol

lol it's not rude. I've just always over cooked, under cooked, overflowed. Boy how many times have I overflowed. Usually with rice and pasta, tho I don't cook either anymore. I see all the different instructions, and I guess I just get overwhelmed. Lentils seems easy tho, so I might try that.