You Can Eat Healthy On A Budget!

As a women’s personal and business development coach, I have heard lots and lots of reasons (aka, excuses) why some things can’t be done, why they are, somehow, restricted from the same opportunities to be healthy, wealthy, and wise as the rest of the well-to-doers out there. Well, I’m sort of done with listening to all of that bullshit. I will no longer enable anyone in my life to complain about how terrible their lives are and thrust precarious excuses as to why they can’t change things. The fact is, you can eat healthy on a budget!

Yep. I’m. Done.

It might have something to do with the fact that even though I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I work out anyway. Even though I have imbalance issues, hyper-sensitivity to light, sound, motion, and all chemicals, get extreme fatigue occasionally, I get out of bed and walk 2 miles, anyway. And, even though thinking (like the kind required for writing, reading, learning, complex planning, and coaching) is really quite difficult sometimes, I do what I fucking have to do to learn, research and build my business, anyway! (Deep breath…sorry, I had to get that out!)

Look, I’m not judging anyone for being where they are. Heaven knows, I’ve been there, too. I’ve clothed myself in really pretty excuses that held me back for a very long time. It’s not about trying to get people to change when they are not ready. There is nothing you or I can do to change anyone who doesn’t want to change. We can’t even change ourselves if we don’t want to. This is about helping others to see their state of mind, to bring awareness that, just maybe, they might be bringing some of their mayhem on themselves. I love to see others walk toward the grandest version of themselves. Just as that scenario brings me warm fuzzies and flitty-floaty butterfly experiences, seeing them abuse themselves and literally take themselves out of life makes me want to throw up.

There is nothing you or I can do to change anyone who doesn't want to change. Share on X

I recently had a conversation with a friend who swore that eating healthfully was impossible for someone on a limited income. My answer was that the problem isn’t the income or the price of food, it’s the fact that you don’t have a big enough reason to change your life. And, honestly, losing weight usually isn’t big enough to really change ones lifestyle for the long haul. Once people lose the weight, they often slowly go back to their old habits. Therefore, it is imperative that we get a really “big why” for being healthy. Mine is that I don’t want to be in a wheelchair in 5 years.

Yeah, it’s pretty big.

Big enough that I will do what it takes to win this game against a major disease and be the best I can be. And, the funny thing is that being unhealthy is many people’s #1 excuse for not improving their lives in other areas, as well. Hmmm…that really makes me think that this fucked up health/diet/complacency thing is all connected. So, what do you think might help you to become the best version of yourself? Yep. Improved health.

So, what do you think might help you to become the best version of yourself? Yep. Improved health. Share on X

The “I can’t afford healthy food” conversation created a desire to actually compare a typical unhealthy lifestyle to a healthful one…as far as cost. I know that I did not include everything in this comparison, but I think you will get the picture. Here are my findings:

Typical American Diet/Lifestyle Cost for One Week (1 person unconcerned about health in general and has addictions, and this does not include doctor or hospital visits or pharmaceuticals)

Item                                                     Cost                   Notes

7 packs of cigarettes                             38.57                  (Avg. cost 1 pack per day)

Budweiser Beer                                     20.00                 (case of 24 cans)

Svedka Vodka                                       15.00                   (fifth)

Generic Acetaminophen                       .70                       ($5.00 for 200 ct)

Generic Tums                                         .70                      ($4.20 for 200 ct)

Generic Ibuprofen                                  .70                      ($4.00 for 200 ct)

Lays Potato Chips                                  4.00                    (15.75 oz bag)

Hungry Man Frozen Dinner                 2.67

Diet Coke                                                 3.00                   (12 pack cans)

Bag of candy                                            5.24                   (name brand chocolate)

Velveeta Cheese                                     6.88

Di Gornio Frozen Pizza                          5.47                    (supreme)

Instant Mashed Potatoes                      2.68                   (Great Value at Walmart)

Laxative                                                  4.74                    (taken every day)

Diarrhea medicine                                 2.00                    (based on prorating $8.98)

Folger’s Coffee                                         8.94                   (32 oz, 4 cups per day)

Bakery Donuts                                         3.78                    (Walmart)

Pop Tarts                                                  3.50                    (16 count)

Frosted Flakes                                          4.58                    (family size box)

Ground Beef                                              3.98                    (1 lb of 80% lean)

Lemonade                                                  2.00                    (18oz drink mix)

White bread                                               3.00

Jelly                                                            1.00                     ($2.92 for 32oz

Peanut Butter                                            2.32                     (Peter Pan 16oz.)

Milk                                                          2.50                       (half gallon great value)

Saltines                                                       1.25                       ($2.50 for 1 lb.)

Brownies                                                     2.28                    (Betty Crocker dry mix)

McDonald’s Meal                                       5.99                      (2 Big Mac Meals)

Doritos                                                        3.98                       (15 oz bag)

Coffee Filters                                              .50                        ($2.00 for 200 ct)

Creamer                                                     2.00                       ($3.98 for 25oz)

Ramon Noodles                                         2.00

Chunky Soup                                             2.00                       (18 oz can Campbell’s)

Take out Pizza                                           10.99                     (Dominoes large)

                                              Total:     $184.93

 

Healthy diet and lifestyle with all things in moderation

7 Gallons of purified water                       6.16                (7 @ .88 from Walmart)

Fresh Kale                                                  5.00                (3 bunches fresh)

Coconut Milk                                              2.00               (unsweetened half gallon)

Gluten free Bread                                      4.98                (Udi’s brand at Walmart)

Fresh carrots                                               .78                  (16 oz bag)

Brussels Sprouts                                        1.50                 (1 lb bag)

Strawberries                                               3.00                (2 pints)

Blueberries                                                   2.00               (1 pint)

Apples                                                           5.47                (3 lb bag)

Bananas                                                        2.00                (bunch)

Free Range Ground Beef                           9.99                 (Organic 1 lb)

Natural Chicken                                          6.00                 (thighs 1.5 lbs)

Sunflower butter                                         3.82                 (12 oz jar)

Agave                                                            2.00                 ($4.98 for 18.5 oz)

Green Tea                                                    .58                    (3.98 for 100 Ct.)

Quinoa                                                          2.48                 (4.9 oz box)

Green Beans                                                 2.29                 (Frozen 32 oz bag)

Fresh Cabbage                                             2.00                 (one head)

Salmon                                                          4.94                 (Frozen wild caught 2 pieces)

Red Wine                                                      5.97                  (Yellow Tail Merlot- one bottle)

Walnuts                                                        4.00                  (7.98 for 16oz)

Pecans                                                           5.86                  (8 oz bag)

Spinach                                                          2.98                  (fresh in bag 16 oz)

Coconut oil                                                     3.74                  (prorating 7.47 14 oz)

Tomatoes                                                       2.48                  (1 pint)

Cucumber                                                      1.00                  (2 cucumbers)

Garlic cloves                                                  1.00

Red Onion                                                      1.29

lettuce                                                            1.49                    (red leaf lettuce)

Eggs                                                                3.85                    (Dozen cage free organic)

Goat Cheese                                                  4.69

                                                   Total: $105.34

So, as you can see, the healthy diet and lifestyle are substantially cheaper in the long run. Consider that all of these foods and amounts could be swapped out for ones that you like and are seasonal for even more savings.  I have given an example of 2 extremes but feel that this shows how people live and spend on both polar ends. There is, of course, a whole lot of in between with which to work. You have to consider the budget you are working with as well. BTW, I have been broke enough to get food stamps and go to a church food bank, and I still made healthy choices.

I just wanted to make a point that the excuse of not being able to afford to be healthy is ridiculous and I don’t want to hear it! You can always make better choices no matter what your circumstances. I believe that when individuals take control of their health all sorts of wonderful things happen like they have more energy, motivation, confidence, and even intelligence. All of these things lead to the ability to push yourself to higher goals and financial stability.

You can always make better choices no matter what your circumstances. I believe that when individuals take control of their health all sorts of wonderful things happen. Share on X

Just find your balance and go for it! Be proud of yourself for your victories and don’t beat yourself up for setbacks. Dig deep for that “Big Why” so you can always have your motivation in front of you.

XO Kellie