Eating whole foods on a budget

[LageNomAi]

What tips do people have for eating healthier foods on a budget? Since switching over to a much WOE that involves so many more veggies, I've watched our food bill skyrocket. This is especially disappointing as prices are decreasing as veggies come into season.

I was wondering if anyone else is struggling with this and whether you have any tips.

[Slapshot]

I've really never been able to find a way to reduce the cost of these things. All I can do is offset it by the number of times I used to stop for fast food, etc., which I no longer do. So, while my grocery bill has doubled, I probably spend $250 less per month (seriously) on lunches and dinners on the way home.

I'm not sure I understand this concern - aren't decreasing prices a good thing? "This is especially disappointing as prices are decreasing as veggies come into season."

[Lacypie]

It does seem that at times I am spending alot of money to eat this way, but then when I consider all the things I am NOT buying, it really does seem to even out. Example. Chips , breads, cookies , crackers, cereal , all the processed foods we are not buying... actually, I do think I spend a lot less on food period. And... the point made by Slapshot, I used to stop for fast food all the time, since i don't do that anymore I have all kinds of cash for my healthier way of life. I have started a couple of people on the road to a healthier thinner way of life, and this is what I tell them to think about, if they feel it's expensive to eat this way.

[Evansmom49]

I totally agree with Slapshot. The savings of the carbs I no longer buy offset the cost of the good, healthy food. I also don't have to spend (waste) money on things like antacids or zantac!

For savings, buy larger packages of steaks, chicken, etc. (usually at a cheaper price per lb.) and freeze in portions at home. Use this time of year to search out farmers' markets in your area.

Hope this helps.

[SkinnyGirlInTransit]

I agree 100%. At first, it may seem like you're spending more because a 50% higher grocery bill is far more noticeable than several trips through the drive-thru for a few bucks a pop.

I try to buy most food organic since I started and I still spend less than I did for breakfasts, lunches, dinners out. Forget the added alcohol, snacks, carby foods at the grocery store!

[chadci]

At first it was not bad because my wife and I started this diet plan together. She got frustrated because I was losing faster than she was, then, she started cheating and now she is done, just eating whatever. Still frustrated that I've lost 50lbs since 3/23 and she has not.

Anyway, now that she is not on the plan and I am, it IS getting expensive as she is not buying things for me as she once was, so, I'm left to fend for myself. Today for lunch I ran down to the market downstairs and got a few chesesticks and lunch meat. I usually get a salad, but, I'm not in the mood for one today. FYI, Salad here is $4.99 a pound.

[Fizgig]

I use Coupon Mom and it got my food bill from ~$400 a month down to about ~$150 a month. (Just me, but I feed my BF a few times a week, too.) In June I'm planning to see just how little I can spend, out of curiousity.

It lists the specials at various grocery stores and also links them up with coupons from the Sunday paper. I do use coupons sometimes but 90% of my cart is filled with meat and veg, so the coupons usually aren't all that important. Mostly I only use them for personal care or cleaning supplies.

The site will display a great big list of all the specials and you can checkmark the ones that interest you. Then it'll display a shortened list of your choices. I use that to brainstorm my meals for the week, and pretty much only buy things that are on sale.

Most grocery stores update their specials on Wednesday, and Target/Walmart on Sunday. I swear it's like Christmas when I look up the new specials.

For example, here are some of the deals at my local stores this week:

Fresh raspberries 6 oz $0.99
Cauliflower $1.50 (usually ~$3)
Chicken leg quarters $0.49/lb
Bagged salad 12 oz $0.99
Pork spare ribs $0.99/lb
Frozen veggies 16 oz $1
18 eggs $0.88
Dial Liquid Soap FREE after coupon

So, this week I'll have BBQ chicken with frozen veggies and a salad, and asian pork ribs with cauliflower.

Edit - Oh, I also cook pretty big batches and use the leftovers for dinner and lunch. I use a lot of frozen veggies to complete a meal. Often I think they're tastier than fresh because they are frozen immediately after harvest, rather than being shipped across the continent.

It's really very, very easy and saves a ton of cash. I also like that it gives me new ideas on what to prepare.

[LageNomAi]

Originally Posted by Slapshot

I'm not sure I understand this concern - aren't decreasing prices a good thing? "This is especially disappointing as prices are decreasing as veggies come into season."

What I mean is that my total expenditures are increasing even though the cost of the food I'm buying is decreasing as it comes into season. I would hope that the decrease in the actual price of the food would help to offset the fact that I'm now spending more overall on healthier foods. What really concerns me is the fact that prices will go back up as foods go out of season, meaning we will be spending even more.

As for not eating at fast food places, etc., that was never a problem for me anyway. We have our entire budget in Excel spreadsheet form, so I can see for a fact that our grocery bill has skyrocketed since I started buying more vegetables and less garbage.

Buying meats in bulk form is a good suggestion, thank you. Any others?

[LageNomAi]

Fizgig - wonderful suggestions, thank you!

[Slapshot]

Originally Posted by LageNomAi

What I mean is that my total expenditures are increasing even though the cost of the food I'm buying is decreasing as it comes into season. I would hope that the decrease in the actual price of the food would help to offset the fact that I'm now spending more overall on healthier foods. What really concerns me is the fact that prices will go back up as foods go out of season, meaning we will be spending even more.

As for not eating at fast food places, etc., that was never a problem for me anyway. We have our entire budget in Excel spreadsheet form, so I can see for a fact that our grocery bill has skyrocketed since I started buying more vegetables and less garbage.

Buying meats in bulk form is a good suggestion, thank you. Any others?

Ahhh, gotcha. I didn't understand at first. Makes sense now. All of the suggestions above are good ones, particularly the frozen/bulk suggestions. I stock up when things are on sale, so the savings over the long term can be significant. Good luck.