Blogging for Change

Day's worth of healthy(ish) food cost me less than $8

by Kim McGrigg on
9/12/2008
in Budgeting and Building Savings

Yesterday, I fed myself for an entire day on less than $8. I didn’t mean to do it, it just happened. Here is what I ate:

Bowl of cereal with milk $ .60
Coffee $ .25
Banana $ .20
Soup $2.65
Energy bar $1.00
Rice, peas, and ham
$2.80 Pretzels $0.25

I also drank water, but I am not going to get that specific; the point is that I ate pretty well for very little money. I think it is a common misperception that it is just too expensive to eat right. According to the Organic Trade Association, more than 65 percent who do not eat organic foods cite price as a major factor in their decision.

It is true that health-related foods can cost several times more than conventional foods. However, cutting back on food expenses doesn’t have to mean cutting back on nutrition. When heading out to shop for healthful foods, remember to:

Shop around. Health food stores aren’t the only places that sell healthy food—some grocery clubs sell the same items in bulk at a discounted price. Also consider generics; the store brand is often a name brand with a store label. You might also consider joining a member-owned food co-operative, where you trade volunteer time for big savings. For a list of co-ops in your area, visit www.greenpeople.org.

Make sure it’s worth it. While the label “all natural” leads many people to believe that the products are healthy, you still need to watch for dietary pitfalls. For example, vegetable chips fried in oil may be just as high in saturated fat and sodium as regular potato chips, but they may cost you twice as much.

Hydrate.  According to iVillage.com, if you switch your favorite drink from soda and sugary juice to water, you will pump up your metabolism and boost your bank account. If you used to spend $2 a day on soda, you'll save $730 a year.

Finally, if you do opt for a frozen meal (according to the American Frozen Food Institute, frozen entrees are now among the top 10 most frequently served in-home suppers), choose carefully; dinner for adults should include at least one cup of cooked vegetables.

For more tips on smart shopping and healthy eating, visit the online home of the Supermarket Guru. If you know other ways to keep you and your wallet happy, please share your secrets through the comments section.

Kim McGrigg is the former Manager of Community and Media Relations for MMI.

Recommended Articles

Man sitting in front of pile of bills, trying to understand his options.
Professional Budget Advice
Make the most of every dollar and start building toward your dreams! Budget counseling is FREE and available 24/7.
Learn More
Learn more
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.