How many of you think healthy eating is too expensive? I used to think that. I believe what happened a long time ago was: I walked into a store and saw organic lettuce for a bajillion dollars, and decided not to look much further. Honestly, I really didn’t understand what healthy eating was and let’s face it, the kids were already addicted to mac and cheese so how was I going to get more than some green beans, salad (pass the ranch please) and bananas and apples down their throats?
So I threw in the soggy dishtowel and plugged along with my buying habits and my mindset that healthful eating was just too expensive.
Since I’ve been vegan I have cut my grocery bill by at least half. What I spend is so minimal I almost forget to appreciate it. Over the holidays I was reminded how much animal products cost (dollars-in-your-pocket cost, not even considering the cost to the planet and the animals). Family was visiting and I provided meals based on what they are used to eating, and I was happy to make dishes they would love.
But this time the trip to the grocery was a complete turnaround. I was gasping at the cost of butter ($3.89/lb on sale!), ham (I don’t remember; I think I passed out), cheese ($4.19/lb) and milk ($2.99/gal). I soothed myself by cradling the bag of organic potatoes (at $1.00/lb) and kept reminding myself this was an indulgence and I’ll get through it. I almost did and then I headed to the pop and chip aisle. I tried to keep my whimpering to a minimum.
By the time I hit the checkout I was so stunned at how much I spent I just stared blankly into space. I have no recall of getting the food home and putting it away.
So let’s talk about eating cheaply and healthfully. This is much more fun. Not only will I save money at the store, but at the doctor’s office (cuz I don’t need to go), I’m saving the environment (not growing grains to feed animals and dealing with their waste), and I’m fairly certain the animals don’t mind a bit. Good deal for the lot of us.
Here’s some staple items in the plant-food aisle (I’m just kidding don’t go looking for the plant-food aisle, you’ll embarrass yourself). Between their nutritional value and their low cost — beans are the big winners. They can cost anywhere from $1.69 to $2.99/lb. Brown rice $1.79-$2.99/lb., lentils $1.49/lb. All of these plant proteins E-X-P-A-N-D when they are cooked so a pound goes a long way. One cup of cooked beans usually costs about 20 cents. Brown rice? One cup cooked 50 cents. Quinoa averages $5.99/lb, which is approximately 2 cups dry and 6 cups cooked; making it about a buck a cup at the table.
Dark green veggies are also a deal. A couple of crowns of organic broccoli can range from $2-3 and serves 4 people — approximately 50 cents per healthy person — the deal of the century. A bunch of organic kale costs $2-3 dollars and you usually make two dishes out of it — I’ll let you do the math on this one.
Plan your meals around seasonal offerings. Right now winter squash, cabbage, carrots, Brussels sprouts and beets can’t be beat. We all know growing your own, buying local, and freezing or canning seasonal offerings are money savers so I won’t mention it here.
Another secret to eating on a budget is getting your main protein from beans or a bean product, adding whole grains, keeping the main portion of your meal centered on vegetables, and having fruit for dessert. Now you can eat lots of salad. When you eat this way, salads will not break the bank — that organic lettuce has an affordable home in your grocery cart. Ah … feels good just thinking about it.
Have I convinced you a healthy diet is affordable? If not, (thanks bunches for your confidence) I’m handing you over to an expert — Ellen Jaffe Jones and her book, “Eat Vegan on $4 a Day”. Ellen has done her homework and has a wonderful selection of simple, great tasting meal plans, not just recipes, and she’s calculated the cost of each meal. Ellen is a running coach (of course she is), a personal trainer (of course she is), and a Food for Life instructor with PCRM.org (so many nice people in that group). Follow Ellen at www.vegcoach.com.
Visit SherryDavisCooking.com or call 231-709-2309 for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment