This is a guest post from my friend, Jenny. Enjoy!
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At some point in the last few weeks, I was watching a show where people were giving excuses for not eating healthy. A common complaint was that "eating healthy is hard because it's so expensive." (I don't remember which show this was - Probably something on OWN. lol).
There have been times when I have rung out at the cash register and gotten a total that was much higher than I expected. I'd get home and feel like I didn't really buy anything with the money I'd just spent. Over time I've decided to cook more at home and make things myself from scratch instead of always using pre-packaged options. The savings have been tremendous in both calories and dollars.
I decided to turn this into a semi-challenge for myself...
Using only $100 I would see how much healthy food I could buy at the grocery store and make it stretch to the maximum amount of meals possible.
Below is a list of the items that I purchased tonight at the store. My total receipt came to $107.12 with tax, and the $6.47 I spent on toilet paper. Total of food purchases came to $100.26. I used 0 coupons.
Are my choices perfect? No. Realistic for a family of 3 with two adults working full time? Absolutely. I will also note that the items on this list are usually items that I buy at some point during the month. I didn't go out on a limb to get these or pick things that we won't eat.
Here is my list of everything that's on the table:
1 bag 10 lbs. Russett Potatoes - $3.77
1 jug Simply Apple Juice - $3.38
1 gallon 1% Milk - $3.63
1 package thin sliced pork chops - $3.63
1 boneless pork roast - $5.59
1 beef tip roast - $6.50
1 package Tennesse Farm's breakfast sausage links - $2.98
1 package thin sliced bacon - $2.98
4 individual Simply Orange Juice ($1.48 each) - $5.92
1 container Pure Olive Oil for cooking - $4.78
2 jars Pasta Sauce ($1.50 each) - $3
1 container (64oz) V8 low sodium juice - $2.78
1 Ranch Salad Dressing - $1.66
1 Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing - $1.50
1 head Romaine Lettuce - $1.48
2.68 lbs Green Grapes ($1.27/lb) - $3.40
1 container of fresh pre-sliced button mushrooms (8oz) - $1.94
1 package Wide Egg Noodles - $1.34
1 dozen eggs (large) - $1.78
1.76 lbs Anjou Pears - 4 count - ($1.57/lb) - $2.76
1 cluster fresh Italian Parsley - $0.88
1 cluster fresh Cilantro - $$0.74
1.51 lbs Granny Smith Apples - 4 count ($1.57/lb) - $2.37
3 Limes ($0.32 each) - $0.96
1 package shredded carrots - $1.68
1 package with 2 celery stalks - $1.38
3 Lemons ($0.44 each) - $1.32
1.86 lbs Bananas ($0.52/lb) - $0.97
3 Cucumbers ($0.48 each) - $1.44
2 Bell Peppers ($0.94 each) - $1.88
5 Kiwi ($0.34 each) - $1.70
1 Large Sweet Onion - $0.85
1 Pineapple - $2.98
1 package whole carrots (1 lb) - $0.88
1 Avocado - $1.88
2 cans Jumbo pitted Olives ($1.17 each) - $2.34
2 cans no salt added diced tomato ($0.68 each) - $1.36
1 container Chicken Bouillion cubes - $2.00
1 package (3 servings) Boboli pizza sauce - $1.97
1 64 oz jar of Claussen pickle halves - $5.98
Total: $100.26
Item Count: 64
Average cost per item: $1.57
At minimum, I estimate the above can make:
9 breakfasts (for one)
6 lunches (for one)
7 dinners (for three)
and at least 15 snacks (for one).
Borrowing a few things that we already have in the pantry and the freezer, I can up that to easily 4-5 more meals in each category to stretch this even further.
So... I find this challenge successful and the whining 'debunked.' It may take a little bit of time to cut up an apple, peel a banana, and chop up some herbs, but being healthy while on a budget is entirely possible.
Any challenge takers? I'd love to see what anyone else can come up with!
