tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post774769593588559340..comments2024-01-01T07:01:27.625-08:00Comments on Foodtrainers: What Your Grocery Bill Says About YouUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-31195941870875816052011-04-19T13:26:51.851-07:002011-04-19T13:26:51.851-07:00Totally late the party on this one, but it's a...Totally late the party on this one, but it's a topic I think about a lot. We spend more on food that the average family of four, and it's just the 2 of us. But we're really choosy about what we buy -- organic whenever possible, grass-fed and humanely raised meats, wild-caught fish. I view the foods we eat as a part of preventative health care, particularly since I lost my dad to preventative disease and my inlaws both have diabetes and heart disease.<br /><br />all that said, we can make the choice to spend our money this way because our choice is easier than for most families. We don't have kids, we don't have debt, we do well financially, we live in a region w/ tons of food choices. It's really sad that so many have to make difficult choices, or impossible choices, to feed their families in a healthy way.<br /><br />Kind of related, I did learn recently that the Dallas area food bank does provide organic foods for their clients.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16395394463695719999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-45300459658801548032011-04-17T14:04:41.584-07:002011-04-17T14:04:41.584-07:00Ameena, totally agree when we were in Paris this l...Ameena, totally agree when we were in Paris this last time the only heavy people were from the US, UK or Germany. I may spend 75% of my income on food.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713676282787688389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-88193027573563299792011-04-17T13:52:19.686-07:002011-04-17T13:52:19.686-07:00I think this is really interesting because I am in...I think this is really interesting because I am in Paris right now and I can honestly say that I think people spend 75% of their income on food I here. I am not joking! $10 Perrier and $7 Evians? $18 tomato salads and $14 omelettes. It's pretty nuts. But 99% of people here are fit and thin...The only obese person I've seen yet was an American.Ameenahttp://fancythatfancythis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-84035938763502133892011-04-17T13:26:05.157-07:002011-04-17T13:26:05.157-07:00This is a great post! I definitely like to pay mor...This is a great post! I definitely like to pay more for good quality foods. I will not buy all organic, but will try to buy those on the dirty dozen list for example.<br />I have no problems paying for more expensive products if I like them but at the same time, where I shop, sometimes those items are not even sold. Me going into a whole foods is a mistake waiting to happen. Love that store but know I probably would have a hard time sticking to a budget. :)<br />I ultimately try to go off the motto, if it grows from the ground, its good!Kristen (swanky dietitian)http://swankydietitian.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-40829999188932646432011-04-16T18:19:10.747-07:002011-04-16T18:19:10.747-07:00Great topic! I can't imagine trying to eat th...Great topic! I can't imagine trying to eat the way I do if I were on a strict(er) budget. I spend a ton of $ on food. I feel like what goes IN my body should be top notch. That, hair cuts, skin products and shoes. All else can be crap. Haha. I also realize I am blessed to be able to afford organic, whole foods. However, I do think that there is a lack in education on how to prepare healthy food on a budget. Rice and beans are inexpensive as are frozen veggies. I think people just go for what tastes good and is cheap because that's what they know.Cameohttp://www.vergingonserious.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-48718655550908344462011-04-16T11:46:03.980-07:002011-04-16T11:46:03.980-07:00Cassie:
Thanks for commenting/reading. It sounds a...Cassie:<br />Thanks for commenting/reading. It sounds as though you are striking a good balance between thrift and quality. Love that.<br />LaurenLaurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713676282787688389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-50064834403051845532011-04-16T11:40:33.791-07:002011-04-16T11:40:33.791-07:00" WHY is something with 28374 ingredients mor..." WHY is something with 28374 ingredients more expensive than something that grew right out of the ground? "<br />- meant to say less expensive :)Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912827147234333189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-50343194391759779552011-04-16T11:39:39.633-07:002011-04-16T11:39:39.633-07:00I am budget-conscious when it comes to food... mor...I am budget-conscious when it comes to food... more so in the winter months when I do most of my shopping at a Whole Foods store. I buy the less expensive organic variety of a lot of things like nut milks, or I'll get whatever bean or grain is on sale in the bulk aisle or whatever. During growing season, however, we easily spend $100 a week at the farmer's market buying enough fresh food to eat that week and freeze for the dead of winter. For two people, I try to spend no more than $150 a week (usually it's less). Food is our biggest expense. I am very thrifty, and could probably have us eat on as little as $30 a week... but we don't WANT to. Besides, if I spend my money on carrots, I'm less likely to blow it on a latte ;)<br /><br />I will not buy some things that are just ridiculously priced (such as $10 gallons of orange juice of $8 dozens of eggs). I understand that good food is more expensive, but a part of me deep down inside thinks it shouldn't have to be that way. WHY is something with 28374 ingredients more expensive than something that grew right out of the ground? <br /><br />I've recently been spending $3-4 on carrots per shopping trip... that buys 2-3 pounds of organic ones at Whole Foods. I can eat a lot of carrots.Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912827147234333189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-58891999428910284562011-04-16T09:29:52.322-07:002011-04-16T09:29:52.322-07:00$4 for a few pounds of organic carrots (not per bu...$4 for a few pounds of organic carrots (not per bunch) agreed though, depends how often various expenses are/how much you use things.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713676282787688389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-73844280080485391912011-04-16T09:20:28.919-07:002011-04-16T09:20:28.919-07:00$4 on a latte or organic carrots....neither nor. A...$4 on a latte or organic carrots....neither nor. Although I do buy organic food, 4 dollars for organic carrots seem a bit too much.<br />However I do understand people who would spend 4 dollars on a latte, rather than carrots as you don't drink latte every day (or do you?), but you/your family might eat carrots very often (I do....almost daily). Who could spend $4 just for carrots?Angie's Recipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14978978261098754954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-27108905883723761082011-04-16T08:27:44.425-07:002011-04-16T08:27:44.425-07:00I LOVE this post. So true and so thought-provokin...I LOVE this post. So true and so thought-provoking! People easily drop money on coffee, drinks or clothing. I absolutely believe that the higher cost of local, organic food is more than offset by its effects on your body. What we pay for food - the food produced by the giant agribusiness corporations - doesn't actually reflect the true cost of the food. The government subsidies on meat, dairy and other food are shocking. No one is subsidizing locally grown organic carrots harvested by people paid a living wage.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420841652300294215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-69083382978973001942011-04-16T03:45:10.416-07:002011-04-16T03:45:10.416-07:00A great thought provoking post . It's so impor...A great thought provoking post . It's so important how we fuel our body. I am noticing more of my friends buying organic and even though they complain about the price tag , they say that it's worth it. It is interesting why no one thinks twice about spending the money at Starbucks and yet they complain about the price of organic vegetables .ayalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13243362803799877014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-59056762396715251812011-04-15T21:30:00.827-07:002011-04-15T21:30:00.827-07:00For my community nutrition class I recently had to...For my community nutrition class I recently had to do a project where I ate within the constraints of the budget for food stamps for a week -- $46.50 for the week, or $6.65 for an entire day. It wasn’t until shopping within these constraints that I realized how much I spend on food, and how little I look at prices for things that I eat almost every day like greek yogurts and organic blackberries. With that said, it was really saddening to see how difficult it is to eat healthfully within the constraints of food stamps, and it is no wonder that many people turn to inexpensive processed foods versus more expensive produce. With that said, I do think that no matter what your budget may or may not be, it is important to find ways to include your favorite foods (especially the ones that happen to be good for you!) into your diet. I agree that it is very important to support companies that are producing quality products for a premium price if you are able to afford it, otherwise, farmers markets are another great option for inexpensive delicious produce. <br /><br />p.s. the picture choice is classicLisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-70183690812556458992011-04-15T18:33:18.232-07:002011-04-15T18:33:18.232-07:00I thought you may find this interesting. Spending ...I thought you may find this interesting. Spending on groceries around the world. http://i.imgur.com/KecYs.jpg (via http://twitter.com/YoniFreedhoff/status/44852277109993472)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-68596659773191783372011-04-15T12:33:34.122-07:002011-04-15T12:33:34.122-07:00I totally agree that everything we buy daily is a ...I totally agree that everything we buy daily is a VOTE. I choose to vote for greek yogurts and organic produce and kombucha teas BUT i do not vote for lattes and pedicures in order to afford the foods i love. I dont buy expensive shoes or jeans or pay to get my hair done/dyed/etc... but I will DROP lots of money on products I love and believe in instead. its a toss up. america needs to reconsider their votes =)<br /><br />xoXOxo<br />Jenn @ <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com" rel="nofollow">Peas & Crayons</a>Jenn @ Peas and Crayonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14502661336533003529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-25211316291387207172011-04-15T12:12:37.795-07:002011-04-15T12:12:37.795-07:00I am very budget conscious. I have to be. I buy ...I am very budget conscious. I have to be. I buy organic when I can. I would rather spend my money on something that is going to make my family healthier.<br /><br />I do think it's better, if you can't afford organic, to at least buy non-organic fruits and veggies instead of the processed foods.Jill {i run i eat}http://irunieat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-56323071729107655542011-04-15T11:51:35.118-07:002011-04-15T11:51:35.118-07:00This post reminded me of another blog I found earl...This post reminded me of another blog I found earlier this week via NYT's Motherlode (http://corbynhightower.com/). Corbyn Hightower, after losing her job, had to dramatically change the way her family spent money. They lost their house, then lost the nice apartment, and now live in a rundown rental house. She recently posted about getting groceries out of a dumpster because people are so inclined to toss out good produce. She mentions getting dirty looks for "wasting" food stamps on organic veggies. And she writes about how she refuses to succumb to cheap calories, instead feeds her family healthy food that is also affordable (dried beans, etc.), and has lost 30 pounds since losing her job. <br /><br />I really sympathize with poor people who are overweight because our economy is abundant with unhealthy cheap food. But reading about Ms. Hightower's approach makes me realize that people can in fact eat healthy food on a shoestring budget. It's just that most of them have no idea how. It seems that (as is so often the case) education is the key.<br /><br />I wonder if there are ever educational programs in these underprivileged schools to teach the kids and parents how to get more for their dollar at the market, instead of just buying cheap, prepackaged crap?Galehttp://www.tendollarthoughts.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-60682590384941715732011-04-15T11:49:23.463-07:002011-04-15T11:49:23.463-07:00he he we spent way too much on groceries in our ho...he he we spent way too much on groceries in our house but feel healthychow and chatterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04225995063075911644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-33849865201389105982011-04-15T09:57:08.327-07:002011-04-15T09:57:08.327-07:00Lauren - Hi. At the risk of offending anyone or ve...Lauren - Hi. At the risk of offending anyone or veering the debate<br />away from your intention -- I'll just say - great debate! And then<br />just for the record, as the Mom of a public schooler in Harlem - I can<br />tell you we have fantastic farmer's market choices (and CSA's) in our<br />neighborhood and on our school premises. We have an active parent pta<br />- maybe that's why.<br /><br />We have choices everywhere and our Parents have the same debates about<br />nutritional values, costs and how to stretch our recipes across the<br />week! (did you see the press about Obama giving us $1.5milliom dollars<br />against nutrition/fitness??) Despite the pre-conceived notion that<br />somehow the "poor" (income and uneducated) public school families that<br />the "not in the know" think only have access to processed foods - are<br />very wrong. In fact, I'd say I've experienced more processed foods,<br />ready to eat, crappy meal offerings from the wealthier side of our<br />spectrum.<br /><br />While I'll admit to purchasing both a starbuck's (crappy coffee) and a<br />bag of organic carrots - I've learned from cooking our families meals<br />that the carrots go a long way!!<br /><br />Thanks for always raising the conversation. I'm always surprised, ok<br />naive about how others see things. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-62921091257051074822011-04-15T07:56:32.064-07:002011-04-15T07:56:32.064-07:00Only a couple years ago did I realize what I was d...Only a couple years ago did I realize what I was doing to myself by eating what I was eating. I now shop at farmers markets, health food stores, and buy organic when it's the best idea. I have always had the same question the local farmer raised at the event on Tuesday, but really it's just personal preference. As technology has advanced over the decades, our values, as a society have changed. There are so many distractions now and unfortunately, healthy foods are no longer a priority for a lot of people. I also strongly agree with the statement that food is my health insurance!<br /><br />This is my first time visiting your blog and I will be back often! Such a fantastic and interesting conversation happening here! Have a great weekend!<br /><br />EA The Spicy RD - I love your challenge idea!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12100196071084452143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-41639924342030910702011-04-15T07:33:23.967-07:002011-04-15T07:33:23.967-07:00Yes, I definitely spend a lot of money on my groce...Yes, I definitely spend a lot of money on my groceries, but I think those costs get high more so from the gluten free flours, etc, than from the organic fruits and veggies. I find that my local naturals foods shop, while higher priced for many items, offers much better deals ( and MUCH better selection) on organic fruits and veggies, than my local "chain" grocery store. I'm thinking it might be fun to have a blogger challenge to see who can come up with healthy meals plans for a minimal cost. Who's up to the challenge???E A- The Spicy RDhttp://www.eastewart.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-1005685100527911222011-04-15T06:22:55.860-07:002011-04-15T06:22:55.860-07:00I am definitely a budget-conscious girl when it co...I am definitely a budget-conscious girl when it comes to food. That said, I would much rather buy good, healthy food then cheap fast food. So many of my friends eat out all the time and don't cook meals at home. They spend way more money on poor quality food. I've learned to shop smarter by buying things in bulk and figuring out how much my family will eat.<br /><br />P.S. I'm also with you on the shoes thing. Some things you can't give on.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15611358088286447842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-46361285075275808362011-04-15T05:46:15.202-07:002011-04-15T05:46:15.202-07:00We've done it again, Lauren... Check out the ...We've done it again, Lauren... Check out the last part of my post today. :)<br /><br />http://www.glutenfreecat.com/?p=4960<br /><br />Great post today, as always!Heather @Gluten-Free Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11742576958404733428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-69777654093904881112011-04-15T04:51:10.387-07:002011-04-15T04:51:10.387-07:00I constantly hear from people that healthy food is...I constantly hear from people that healthy food is expensive, but I don't think it is always the case. You can get 7 bananas for $1 at the fruit stand on the street, which makes for a much cheaper snack than hitting the vending machine. If you budget your money and plan your meals, you can eat healthy and not have to spend a lot. I think we need to shift our thinking from quantity to quality. Instead of eating chicken every night, buy organic chicken and eat it 3 times per week and opt for vegetarian meals in between, which will benefit your health and your wallet. I see spending money on healthy food as an investment in my future and my health. I'd rather cut back on spending in other areas so I can buy the food I want. It's all about priorities.Melissahttp://www.foodtrainers.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7739675715154690483.post-56862047245559009852011-04-15T04:50:13.991-07:002011-04-15T04:50:13.991-07:00It’s very difficult to understand monetary value i...It’s very difficult to understand monetary value in the eyes of others. To some people buying organic is expensive, while they easily rationalize spending large sums on fancy cable subscriptions and expensive sneakers.<br /><br />But the sad truth is that many families just can’t afford good food – fruits and veggies are relatively expensive compared to junk.<br /><br />What we need to understand is that cheap food of the highly processed kind is very expensive! The price of the diseases that arise from poor nutrition and obesity is enormous –in suffering and $. <br /><br />It is astounding that highly processed junk cost less than raw ingredients, and we need to fight to change that.Dr. Ayalahttp://herbalwater.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.com