Saving money, but getting fat?

Question

So My goal is to cut our grocery bill in HALF. Basically I want to feed 3 people (2 adults, 1 child), for under $200.

I've done the math, and the only way this seems possible is by eating foods like Mac & Cheese, Ramen Noodles, Frozen Waffles etc etc.

Do you think I'll still be able to lose weight even if I'm stuck eating these types of food? Am I going to have to exercise like 10 hours a day?

Right now I do a low carb diet, and lose weight like crazy. But even sticking to mostly veggies gets expensive. :(

What do you all think?

Answer 1

HEY SHAWN T!   Your link has a virus attached!

Just thought you should know. Maybe you do.

It is unfortunate that this is the situation that the greed of commercialization got us to. We only get what is convenient to the processors.

Fresh food should not cost more, but it does.

I figured out some time ago that the reason for people without means are fatter is because of their diet.

Carbs have become the staple for the USA and they are not serving the public very well.

I think you need to take a hard look at the stuff that is being offered inexpensively.

Ramen has little food value. Better to buy a can of broth and add some whole grain noodles.

Frozen waffles are quick but pricey. Try a crepe mix from scratch with whole wheat flour. Takes a bit longer but worth the effort.

Most of this comes down to time to prepare and getting the family on a reduced carb diet for life. Once broken the carb cycle is very manageable.

Now if I could only find a low carb beer..............

Answer 2

Doesn't sound very nutritious the ramen noodles have crazy sodium in it. Two hundred for three people sounds a little tight. I would say $250 is probably more easily attainable goal.  

Answer 3

Keep away from the processed junk food. It will not satisfy your hunger and make you unhealthy and miserable. And your weight will balloon out in no time flat.

Shop around and find good produce in season - it will be cheaper. If you buy fruit and veggies in season and cheaper cuts of meat and make casseroles, chilli beef, stir fries and other one pot dishes, they will go over a couple of meals

Also legumes like lentils, dried chick peas and split peas are cheap and can be incorporated into a filling meal to complement or in place of meat.

If you can't cut your budget in 1/2 and still eat healthy, you need to find some other cost cutting measures because you have to put good food into your family or the health costs are going to catch up with you.

Answer 4

Don't eat much.

Then you wont gain weight.

Answer 5

Fresh food is really, really not expensive. Eggs and/or juice in the morning, sandwiches for lunch (something cheap like pb&j or ham and cheese), and then maybe one of two family style dishes with a filler like pasta or rice. Or do it like a college student and make a huge pot a soup once a week and freeze it in individual containers to be eaten at another time...

For the diet part just don't put grease/oil in anything... low carb is kind of stupid.

Answer 6

Just don't buy lots.

You shouldn't be aiming to have a unhealthy diet.

Seriously. Think of your baby!

Answer 7

I think you have not explored all options. And that your focus should be on feeding them healthy and cheap.

Choose veggies that are in season. These are cheaper. But canned veggies are nearly as nutritious and cheap. All processed foods in a package are more expensive. So basically I advise you to rethink, get a second hand cookbook and discover for yourself that the way your grandmothers mother made food was the cheapest. And it's fun.    

Answer 8

I can tell you for a fact that those foods will not only make you fat ... but there is NOTHING (nothing) nutritionally sound in any of them. As a matter of fact many of the additives and chemicals in processed foods are now absolutely proven to cause many types of cancer.

Most well known health gurus and nutritionists will tell you that if  you want to be healthy shop the "perimeter" of the store. That means avoiding all the foods you mentioned here.

Listen, I am a single mom and do not make a lot of money. But I decided that our health was way more important than anything else in this materialistic world. So i decided to give up some of that stuff (cable TV, water service, etc ...) and I also eat low carb for the most part with lots of fruits and veggies. They should be the LAST thing you give up. There is a requirement of 5 to 7 servings of them a day for a reason. THESE are your cancer fighters ... you're life sustainers ... they are absolutely necessary for every cell in your body.

All your important bodily functions stem from the enzymes and fiber produce provides. Your body can NOT be healthy or function properly without them. Find a way to stay on your healthy path ... cut out other unnecessary things because all we have in this life is our health. Without it we have nothing.

Answer 9

low carb doesn't work...it's all about fewer calories.  and you can obviously eat fewer calories with less food.  

Answer 10

$200 a week or a month?

Answer 11

for starters...my mom usto do groceries for 6 ppl under $180 a week...so its totally duable (2 adults, 4 teens) unless you mean 200$ a month, and that doesnt cut it for my bf and myself...we spend $100 minimum but we eat healthy also.

buy a lot of things on sale. its good to make your grocery list, but always make sure that if you have zucchinni or your list and there is cucumber on sale, get the cucumber  (just an example, this goes for meats also)

Frozen waffles are the worst. i know they are easy to make but just stay away from them because they contains partially hydrogenated oils. check the food labels to see if it has that and try and stay away from them. (oreos, chicken pot pie, fries, apple pie..etc, fthese contain this).

So no, you cant lose weight on these foods...if anything, they will make you fat because they wont fill you up the way a glass of milk with peanut butter on a slice of whole grain bread will...

as for the low carb diet part..carbohydrates help you protect against cancer and other diseases, as do fruits, veggies and whole grains, and beans. some carbs even contain nutrients like fiber which help you lose and control weight. so dont cut them off.

since we crave carbohydrate, its not like you can go on and on forever without eating them and this is why theres a huge obesity rate lately.  by limiting carb intakes, you completely restrict yourself and finally give in and INDULGE. obviously your going to be losing weight, since your not eating a lot of foods since your restricting so many foods (cause almost anything delicious has carbs in it)

so i would look into trying to eat as healthy as possible..one thing that is AMAZING is unsweetened and unflavoured oatmeal. it fills your up, keeps you full for long periods of time and if you dont like it plain you can always add some berries (whatever fruit you have on hand) and add honey and its perfect for the kids. as well as healthy...try eating nuts like almonds, peanuts, green veggies like spinach wich is so good for you and you can make it taste good also, eggs, dairy (1% milk, or skim milk, low fat cheese, low fat yogurt & cheese), olive oil, whole grain breads and cereals (make sure they dont contain a lot of hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup)

its long i know, sorry but

hope this helps