In the continuation of my weight loss series (for more on my weight loss efforts, click HERE), I wanted to discuss an awful, painful truth. It is cheaper to be fat than it is to be skinny. Why is that?
In my quest to shed pounds recently, I have been doing more grocery shopping, comparing labels, looking at nutritional data and such. And what I am finding is that the foods that are the worst for me are the best in terms of my wallet. The foods that are better for me and my family happen to cost more money. And in these touch economic times, who has more money to spend on food?
During my last shopping trek, I spent $62.00. All but maybe $5.00 of that total was for food items. The most expensive item on the bill? Ground turkey for spaghetti. Second most expensive item? Granola cereal. Third most expensive item on item on the list? Yogurt and Soy milk. Catch my drift? The cheapest? Hot dogs for my daughter and “fruit” snacks for my son.
I spent more this weekend on food than I usually do. I know $62.00 doesn’t seem like a lot, but it only covered two meals. I am going back tomorrow to load up again! If I continued my usual unhealthy shopping of fatty foods, I am sure I would’ve gotten more than two meals out of that $62.00.
Something has to give.
I blogged last week about FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to help children eat better and maintain healthy weight. And I am all for that! There are too many overweight children these days who grow up to be unhealthy adults. We have to change the eating habits of our youth now so they grow up and become healthy adults. Healthy adults mean less money spent on healthcare because a lot of illnesses and diseases have the weight factor. But how can most families afford to be healthy?
Food for thought.
I am going to continue my weight loss goals as well as preparing more healthy meals for my family, even if it means I have to cut out some of the extras like entertainment and travel in order to prevail. I am committed. But it is harder to be committed than it is to do not be. Kind of frustrating when you think about it.
What are your thoughts about this topic? How do you deal with the financial effects of eating healthy vs not? Comment below!
You are too right! I also have the problem of not being a cook. (I'm the youngest child and a single woman.) My main goal for this week was to cut out the fast food and I went grocery shopping. It is quite an accomplishment though as I absolutely LIVE on fast food and junk. But as I get older and my metabolism changes, it's becoming harder to keep the weight off. Just drinking tons of water is becoming less effective! LOL So my goal for next week is to *gasp* learn how to make fresh meals from scratch. No more frozen food! 😀
Have you taken a peek at The Daily Plate on Livestrong.com? They have some great recipes!
SO, SO unfortunately TRUE. Our bill has doubled since I’ve been trying to clean up my family’s eating habits. Its unfair, but I’m hoping it will pay off in other ways. I know that they say you can’t put a price on your health, but the Supermarket sure does!
Well, since you are putting better quality food (nutrients) into your body–it makes sense to pay more. Just like with many products, you have to pay more for better quality. My sister shops in bulk and saves a lot. (Sam's, BJ's, etc) I drink a looooot of soy milk so I buy 'em in packs! lol. I usually buy Silk brand but I've had store brand soy milk and it's just as good! And don't forget to look out for those coupons! I agree that it is cheaper to be fat, but kudos to you for sacrificing those extras to maintain a healthy lifestyle for you and your family (: You're making a great investment. Health is wealth (;
You made some really good points in your comment. I hadn't looked it that way in terms of you get what you pay for. I guess it is just frustrating to me because a lot of the poorer community cannot afford to eat healthy. Health should be something everyone is able to have regardless of social class. But that is yet another blog post! Thank you for the tips! I need to learn to become a coupon cutter. 🙂
My heart goes out to them, too. Hmmm, I knew a couple of people from one of my old high schools who used the food stamp program… there are many people eligible who don't take advantage of it. And there's also the WIC program for those with younger children. As for that $1 double cheeseburger, people should try a salad instead (: I hope I'm not annoying you with my posts! I just want to help people as much as I can… especially with the way things are right now. I started a blog where I plan on featuring deals/brand alternatives that I come across that save money (as well as some motivational post to keep you going through the day!). I'm trying to give out samples as well so people can try them out for themselves. I tend to buy doubles when I find a really good deal, so I thought why not share the love (: I'm putting up my first feature once I can get a couple followers, maybe check it out if your interested? Well, take care, I'll be reading your blog posts through your tweets (:
Of course! I will be definitely checking out your blog!
This is something I've been thinking about for decades, since my great-grandmother was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and put on a strict low-sodium diet. She was in her 70's-80's, living on a fixed income and could not afford to buy very many of the few low-sodium products available at that time. She got together with her neighbor and they planted a garden, my Mommaw did most of the planting and such, the neighbor lady did the canning and they both had healthier food at a much lower cost.
I've always eaten more healthy than not and have found that it's definitely more costly to purchase healthy items. I've also noticed that as eating healthy has become more of a "trend" the cost difference has increased with the unhealthy options becoming larger and appearing to be even less expensive. It's sad!
Damnnn 62.00 for only 2 meals!?!
makes you wanna stick to the poor mans diet lol
Hey CC,
I feel ya pain on healthy eating. However, I do cut cost by keeping price spreadsheet of various prices at the stores I shop to see which is cheaper. In addition, I have a coupon binder and I coupon shop as opposed to just grocery shopping. When I see it on sale and I have coupon (must be a deal) I get it. I stock up and center recipes around the ingredients that I have. I am on a Healthy Living program myself and I would be glad to write something up on couponing and some links of where to find coupons for organic and healthy foods. Just let me know.
Its true the up front costs of healthy foods are more expensive…but in the long term, its cheaper than medical bills due to disease related to being overweight. Glad to hear that you are staying committed to your goal! I'm on a weight loss journey too….we gotta stay focused!
Tragic isn’t it that rubbish food is cheaper than good. But it doesn’t have to be.
Frozen Veg is usually very cheap…here in the UK you can get bags of the stuff for just over $1. My wife makes great soups by cooking this and blending it down.
we spend around $75 a week on groceries and that all goes on fresh or frozen veg, chicken, rice etc.
If you have trouble in the kitchen department with cooking or not being able to, why not enrol in a evening cookery class…you will learn about food..and make some new friends too.
When me and my wife first got together..we were hopeless at cooking..and eating out was the preferred and easy option…but seriously, give it a go….you can cook..you just don’t know it yet.