healthy food are quite expensive!

i have never spent this much money on food before!
well, after i started using cc, i am trying to buy only healthy food.
but wow! healthy food do cost much more!
for ex. light potato chips is twice more expensive than regular potato chips.
healthy cereal bar is more expensive than chocolate bar.
actual cherries are much more expensive than artificial cherries.

but i feel good! just wanna share with all of you : D

Yeah!! The way how I try to make it work in my mind is that I am making an investment in my body for life. My body is very important, so I need to treat it as being important.

Yes it is! But it is cheaper than the medication, doctors visits, and surguries that tend to come with being overweight.

It's definately cheaper than doctor bills and prescriptions. I also found it helps to steer clear of the junk foods (even the healthy ones) and more toward the fruits and veggies. I stock up on things like potatos and onions and canned goods when they are on sale.

It also helps to make more things yourself. I can make my own trail mix, granola, whatever cheaper than the pre made store versions. Farmer's markets are also a great place for cheap wonderful produce.

I find it helps to have a list and a plan (read the cirucular) and go when you are not hungry and have lots of  time. I compare prices and read labels to get the best deal on the best products, I know I will use. (it ain't a bargain if you just toss it).

Also tell yourself that you are worth it. You deserve good healthy real food, not something cooked up in a lab somewhere.

If you want your body to be good to you, you have to be good to your body.

It's amazing! I fill my basket with fruit half the time! I have even been known to visit the meat department for fresh meat or even (gasp!) fish! Instead of my old fave the deli counter. Because I'm cooking for myself - and even twice a week is a big change for me.

And I'm going out of my way to get the best - like organic peanut butter, which actually does taste better than what I'd been using.

And, not smoking, it's easy for me to afford all this.

A friend of mine actually did her masters thesis on body image fashion and food trends.

In a nutshell she showed a comparision between the romantic and war periods where it was fashionable to have a few extra pounds (or more) "curves" and food was something many people (especially the poorest in society) had trouble affording.

Conversley since the post-war boom, now skinny is in fashion and it is very cheap to get poor quality foods and no exercise, but if you want a healthy lifestyle it costs you more. This is increased greatly as you look to whole foods, organic etc..

She did have some suggestions in her paper, which are here and which I do see have been implemented in my community.

Some of which are getting more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, don't buy as much packaged food (as the healhty packaged food always costs more than the unhealthy), community centres for exercise and looking to community programs like farmers markets and community gardens as resources.

It costs more, but don't those fresh fruits and veggies look alot prettier in your cart than boxes and cans? ^_^

Haha...it actually costs me LESS money.  Since I eat less amounts of food, and eat more fresh fruit and veggies, it costs less.  My father and I fill up a shopping cart and its like 90 bucks, as opposed to the old days when we'd get tons of frozen foods, fatty snacks, and just JUNK and spend like 120 bucks.  What has cost more with this change is all the new clothes (and ipod!!) associated with it.  I'd be a lot richer if I didn't have to buy all that new junk (ok, the ipods not junk, but wouldnt have bought if i werent running).  Oh well, as has been said...it's a lot cheaper than doctors visits and medication.

We noticed that as well. Buying healthy costs us LESS Money, even with things like Fish or Turkey, than it did when we didn't eat healthy! We'd spend $130 - $150 a week. Now it's $95-$120.

yeah, and what really chaps my hide is that if you try to buy all
organic and free-trade goods you really have to dish out the dough.
still. for peace of mind and healthy body, i'm willing to fork over the
extra cash. *hmph* of course, that i'm willing to do so--and that
others are too--is part of the reason the prices are so damn high. oh
well...

I spending about the same amount.  The difference is, instead of expensive meats, I'm buying super cheap beans and lentils.  Instead of chips and cookies, I'm buying romaine lettuce and other fresh veggies.  Instead of pizza I'm buying frozen vegetables.  Instead of butter, I'm buying low fat cheese.  About the only area where I'm spending more is for fresh fish.  It's pricey, but worth it.

What I'm not buying are those frozen dinners and special, overpriced "diet" foods. 

People here do make a good point. It costs more if you try to one for one replace unhealthy with healthy. For example buying the heart healthy organic spelt flower granola bar, instead of a kit-kat, or buying top grade lean beef instead of basic ground or fatty meats.

However I have realized that what I buy is a two pronged choice, I can choose to eat more veggies and fruits, do more prep work and not buy as many pre-packaged foods (even Amy's organic bean burrito's which are healhty cost a lot more than making them myself) then I can, and have cut my grocery bill roughly in half, since the days of wine with every meal, pre-packaged, take-out, extra dessert etc...

It costs us more, but mostly because we're also eating low-sodium.  The new foods and low fat, healthy things aren't really more expensive.  Low sodium foods, though, all cost more--in time and money (baking, making spaghetti sauce from scratch, etc.).

Here's a thought:  why not buy regular potato chips but eat half as many?  Then you're cutting your costs (and your calories) in half.  Measure out a portion in advance and eat it slowly.  I had 3 Doritos with my lunch the other day (instead of three handfuls) and because I took tiny bites there was just as much flavor in the meal.

Because potato chips don't necessarily make a GOOD choice, as a regular food?

I know I've spurned potato chips mostly because they are that unhealthy. Doing what you suggest sounds good as a once-in-a-while thing, but I wanna learn how to EAT healthy :)

That means more whole foods and home cooking! :)

Exactly supersized! That's what I have found works best for me. Instead of spending tons and tons of money on already made foods. Buy the ingredients to make yourself. Yes, it takes away some of your time but you can make almost 3 times as much food for what you are paying in one meal! I run into the vegan, pre-made trap ALLL the time and I end up spending a ton. But if you love to cook, moi, or not you can make delicious meals. PLUS! you know exactly what you are eating!

I would spend the money on a great cookbook with lots of options. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Snacks/Appetiz...blah blah blah and buy your foods fresh. Also, if you have a great market (Boston: Hay Market). Shop there! You will save a TON of money and you'll be in produce up to your eyeballs! Plus you get to haggle which is always fun :)

I'm in the saving money camp also. Chicken less then beef, Salad less then pasta and cream sauce (hell just the money we are saving on half anhalf and whipping cream!).

Truth be known we were surprized, we expected to be paying more and were commited to that.