Thursday, April 7, 2011

Shopping on a budget...save now, pay later

Ok all you budget conscious folks, this one is for you.  Healthy eating does not have to break the bank..so let's ditch that common excuse. (Yes, I did say excuse)  Sure, crap food is cheap...now.  But how much will you be paying later? First you'll have to buy bigger clothes.  After packing on those extra pounds you'll still need to get dressed. Then the cost of time off from work for the doctor's visits.  The cost of the prescriptions for high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, depression and possibly even cancer.

Now that we are focused on our health..and the money involved there..let's see what can help us save money in the store and in life.  Cereal..one really expensive junk of an isle if you ask me.  Over $4 for a box of CornFlakes at Publix grocery stores...for a box of ummmm...dust, if you ask me.  Once was a 'whole food' (maybe) turned into dust smashed and stamped into a shape..oh wait that was AFTER vitamins were added BACK into it since the processing stripped all of the naturally occurring nutrients from it.  Oatmeal- whole grain oats..$2 and change. Low glycemic carbohydrate source, fiber, and saved you money.

Convenient protein sources- lunch meat, pre cooked chicken, turkey and steak.  Think again, how many carbohydrates do you think a protein source should have?? Hmmmm, I'm going to vote for....pretty much zero.  Ever read the labels of those convenience meats??  Yep, you're right..you'll find some carbohydrates there. Why? Well, reading the ingredients you may find things like high fructose corn syrup, sugar, caramel colorings, fillers (corn, soy etc). Not too different from the cereal isle. What to do, what to do???  How about buying a whole turkey or chicken and cooking it at home.  Slice it up for snacks or salads... save yourself in the long run.  I didn't do the math here..someone else already did..check this out http://frugal.families.com/blog/whole-turkey-versus-turkey-breasts-cost-comparison
Healthier AND more cost effective.

Keep eggs in mind as well. Great source of bioavailable protein and can be used in virtually every meal of the day for only pennies.

Fruits and veggies- jackpot of nutrients..just as long as they haven't suffered the same fate as most grocery store items..processed with added sugar!  Fresh fruits/veggies are not always a better choice..depending on how long those items have been aging vital nutrients may already be lost.  Frozen may be a little cheaper..like I said, be sure to read the ingredients-- no added sugar please.

So what do we buy when we head to the store? Of course there are variations, but these are staples in our house:

Whole grain oats
Sweet potatoes
Chicken breast
Ground turkey breast
Salmon
Egg whites
Black beans
Kidney beans
Crushed tomato (to add to the chicken)
Whole raw almonds
Raw walnuts
Frozen strawberries
Frozen mixed berries
Miscellaneous "salad" veggies

"Saving money" now using coupons to buy processed, boxed pseudo-foods will only cost more in the long run.  Investing in yourself with healthy, nutrient rich foods will save you tons in the future.

SMART SHOPPING = APPLAUSE

3 comments:

  1. This is a great post. Since going sugar-free three weeks ago, that's just about what I've been buying. Of course, I add in pasta, but mostly I've found it's no more expensive to eat healthier than it is to eat crap. All it really takes is a little planning and maybe a little more time? Well worth it as far as I'm concerned.

    Most of my daily meals consist of apples, peanut butter, oatmeal, raisins, and then some sort of veggie-heavy dinner. Don't worry, that's not all I eat in a day, but that's the consistent bulk of it.

    Again, bravo.

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  2. Thanks..and nice job Brad!!!
    Yep, a little planning and BOOM, you're there!
    ...and after a while of eating real food, it actually takes no time at all..it becomes the habit, the norm, and then you don't even think twice about it
    : )
    Rock on!!

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  3. Something my ex NEVER seemed to understand, like most Americans it was all about keeping the food budget low. I call them the Costco Cows - more to describe their herd mentality than their eventual appearance. Since she became the "ex", I spend whatever I want again on food (sigh of relief). Good food. Primal Nutrition lifestyle. I'm looking better, she's probably on the same path of treating herself to Diet Coke and other junk whenever she's sad or stressed.

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