I’m not going to lie. Yes, eating healthy can be “expensive”.
It can “cost” more than those wonderful (please
note my sarcasm here) 10 for $10 Banquet frozen “dinners” (I use the term “dinner”
lightly).
And,
It can “cost” more than the “value” menu at your
favorite fast food stop.
However, when you take a look at the big
picture, you may see there is not that much of a difference. You can still spend the same amount, or even
less, by banishing convenience foods and focusing on foods that provide the
body with much needed nutrients, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
**Just a note: I talk about “organic” and how that is the way
to go. I still do not change my stance
on this, but I do understand that I am also lucky to live in a place with many
organic options that will not break the bank.
So instead, I will give you this advice: Buy organic when you can. When you cannot, still go the fresh route
because fresh fruits and vegetables are better than modified food any day!
So how much did I spend at the grocery store
this week?
$86: That is how much I spent on my healthy food
this week (for two people)? Now, compare
that to the $125 (average) that I was spending weekly on the old way of eating
filled with 10 for $10 Banquet “dinners”, canned items, frozen pizzas,
burritos, ice cream, hamburger, pastas….you get the point. And that $125 was
just the grocery total; it doesn’t even take into account the 3 (if not more)
times we would eat out weekly, usually fast food since that is all that is open
around here past 9pm.
Rework your grocery budget and you may be
surprised. Take a look at all of the processed/convenience foods you buy. And
don’t forget the impulse buys as well….you know you come home with at least a few; after
all, grocery stores are a business
and are designed to squeeze every penny possible out of every person who walks
through their door. Also, how many times do you go out to eat during a week’s
time? I’m pretty sure we saved at least
$40 a week on this alone!
I guess my point here is, eating healthy does
not have to be expensive if done with a little thought. So, in my opinion, when someone says it is
expensive, a number of times I feel it is just an excuse because he or she does
not really want to change his or her eating habits. With a little research and some reworking of
your budget, you can find the money to eat this healthier way.
