The Cost Of Eating Healthy
On today’s Healthy Diet Podcast we ask the question, is it really that expensive to eat healthy?
Show notes:
- The number one reason people don’t eat healthy is because they think it is more expensive that it really is.
- Jean keeps meticulous records of what we spend and have broken down our food budget to indicate that we spend $2.50 per meal. That includes all the food we eat, snacks included, carrot juice as well.
- Is the cost of groceries an accurate way to determine the cost of eating healthy? What is the cost when you add in the benefits?
- Some of the things we don’t spend our money on because we eat healthy – prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, sick time, unscheduled visits to the doctor.
- We cleaned out our medicine cabinet, a basket, on the podcast. It only had about 5 things in it. We threw out the Preparation H, expired Tylenol PM and Robitussin.
- The only supplement we take on a regular basis is vitamin B-12
- We ate some non vegan food this past Sunday. We were trapped at a church dinner with only bar-b-que to eat.
- By the grace of God and our diet, fortunately we don’t get sick. How much does being sick cost you and your family?
- Jean took an antibiotic a few year ago that we believe contributed to some persistent intestinal problems. It killed the good and bad bacteria in her system making it hard for her digestive tract to work as it needed to.
- When you are talking about eating healthy versus being sick is it really that expensive to eat well? What are your spending priorities?
- What is the cost of developing heart disease or cancer or diabetes?
- Take charge of your health by choosing to eat healthy!
Check out a couple Vita Mix smoothie recipes we just put up on our Healthy Diet website.
Alan LeStourgeon
Tags: eating healthy, food budget, prescription drugs, smoothies, carrot juice
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July 24th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Great Podcast!! I just discovered your show and am now catching up on all of the episodes that I missed (which are a lot). I have a strong interest in a Healthy Diet/Lifestyle and am glad to see someone producing a podcast on such an important subject.
A lot of people thinking eating healthy is expensive. A lot of the mindset in America though comes down to laziness and lack of energy to prepare our own meals. Its much easier for people to pull up to the fast food window than by fresh produce and have to spend time in their kitchen after a long day of work.
My suggestion to people who want to eat healthy at a reasonable price is to find your local farmer’s markets. I live in Wisconsin and we have several very good farmers markets where you can get fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables (no oranges!!). I encourage people to get out and meet local farmers from their area. Most are very passionate about the food they grow and you can get a lot of great vegetables at a very reasonable price. There a wide variety of vegeatbles many that you can’t find at your local super market. The farmers I met also have great ideas on how to prepare these vegetables and will give you some tips and recipes you can use to prepare delicious and fresh meals. Many recipes are also very quick and easy to prepare.
For products I can’t get at the Farmer’s Market I go to the Local Organic Food Co-op (Tropical fruits, wild caught salmon, etc.)
For my animal meats (I’m not a Vegan, but can appreciate your lifestyle) I go to a organic local farm and get pasture fed eggs, Bison, and Raw Milk.
The other thing that makes healthy eating easier and more convienient is having a well orgainzed kitchen and the right kitchen tools. If you ask people about their kitchen and take a look at the tools they its no wonder they never cook. A good set of sharp knives, cutting boards, a blender, juicer, citrus press, open counter space., etc. Having the right tools and organization can make food prep and cleanup a lot easier.
Personally I have tried a Vegetarian diet without any meat and milk and found my body weaker and more physically fatigued than when I eat small amounts of animal protein. I run 50+ miles a week since I run two marathons a year and really find that my body responds well to it. The meat I do eat comes from well cared for organic pasture fed animals and I eat small portions.
The important thing to rememebr is our bodies are all uniqiue. Different people respond well to different foods. Taking control of your health is a constant journey of trying new foods and seeing how you enjoy them and how your body responds to them. People need to educate themselves and figure out through trial and error which foods work best for them. This is why its great to have a podcast like this. Keep up the good work.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I’m amazed that your per meal average is approx. $2.50. I definitely will take up some of your suggestions. My family loves smoothies and trail mix, so will have to incorporate more of that into our diet.
My family and I have recently started the Fiengold Diet. We did it to address my son’s Tourettes Syndrom issues. Basically, we’ve eliminated food preservatives and naturally occuring Salicitates (berries, apples, oranges, etc). Much organic foods.
The diet is a challenge, but it seems to work (especially reducing my son’s ticks).
We also intend to pursue a “greener” diet. Less red meat and animal products and more vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. We can eat more locally grown foods and in the long run improve our health while benefiting the environment.
Keep up the informative podcasts, they’re very entertaining too!