Comments on: How to Eat Healthy on $10 a Day

By: Jimmy E.

Jimmy E. — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:55:53 +0000

I am on the opposite end of the spectrum but realize that I do overspend on groceries/dining out. On average I spend $1,100/month on myself. My goal is to get this amount down to around $500 per month.
-I enjoyed your article and I was able to take away some helpful advice for grocery shopping. Now to try and remedy my desire for gourmet meals when dining out.

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:09:26 +0000

Actually, organic and free range have been proven to be healthier, if for no other reason than the lack of chemicals and pesticides, and unnecessary antibiotics. It IS a statement about sustainability, AND a health choice

By: msmimi

msmimi — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 04:03:20 +0000

This depends on where you live. For a person of 1 I spend around $150-175 per month, sometimes less. I live in California, where the cost of living is higher. Most of the cheapest foods you can buy are canned, and packages. I do agree that coupons, buying in bulk, freezing and taking your lunch to work can save on your bill.

By: Ryan @ Planting Dollars

Ryan @ Planting Dollars — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:38:04 +0000

It would have been nice to see a financial breakdown of how the $10 was decided in the post heading. The title seems specific, but the post is not so much. Either way I like the ideas, but follow the sentiment of several of the previous comments in that $10 a day is still a bit high for budget conscious shoppers.

By: ellen

ellen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:16:05 +0000

I just subscribed to this blog hoping I’d find useful information but I’ve got to say that anyone who thinks spending $300 a month to feed one person is “frugal” is not going to be of much help to me. I spend about $400 a month to feed myself, my husband, two growing pre-teen boys, a dog and two cats.

And yes, we eat healthy food including lots of fresh produce.

Maybe I need to start my own blog.

By: Anon

Anon — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:48:36 +0000

I thought this was extravagant. I live well on ~$200/month, which is $6.66/day. I routinely buy steak, fish, red peppers and avocados! My $200/month also includes lunches for work, the odd bottle of wine, and household goods. However, I cook from scratch, never buy soda-I never liked it-and I make things like my own vinaigrette. Here is a good recipe. The proportions work well for me and the dressing keeps well.

1/3 cup oil (I prefer walnut as it lets the taste of the greens through)
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
pepper

For beginners-learn to cook!

Mix the salt, pepper, and mustard in the vinegar until salt dissolves. Add oil, shake well. I do not understand why anyone would buy dressing. Balsamic is much too heavy for salad dressing imo-it drowns all the other flavors out. If you vary the oils and vinegar in this recipe you can ring many changes.

I dont buy condiments but I do buy spices as Im Indian and I shop a lot at ethnic markets-usually very good value.

By: Summer

Summer — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:23:24 +0000

Olive Oil has many more health benefits than veggie oil, although veggie oil is an inexpensive alternative and is the least threatening oil next to OO. Olive oil has more Omega 3, it’s the only “veggie oil” that can be consumed in it’s raw state, it has antioxodents, raises HDL, lowers LDL and the stomach processes it easily. I think the benefits outweigh the costs tremendously.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:23:55 +0000

Almost forgot, we also maintain a small vegetable, herb and berry garden each summer, maybe a plot that’s 5×12 feet or so, which really helps control fruit and vegetable costs during the summer and fall.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:18:27 +0000

Some great ideas on here. I work a 9-5 and so does my wife – well, we work more like 8-6 but who’s counting?! We try to brown bag it as much as possible. This is usually a sandwich (some turkey breast, cheese and whole grain organic bread) in a reusable container. We try to make a cup of coffee or tea at home and use a thermal mug to bring to the office. We’ve also purchased some good bpa-free quart size water bottles and then use our PUR water filter at home to bring filtered water to the office as opposed to buying bottled water, which saves a good deal of money. I really think that $10 per day is very, very generous. Our monthly grocery bill is probably $300 to $400, which includes sundries for the home, toiletries, etc. We try to eat as healthy as we can, with as much raw fruits and vegetables and very little meat. For eating out, we try to rely on local coupon books that we purchase for the year, which contain some great discounts and free entrees. Hopefully some of my ideas can help those of you who read this blog as well.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:16:47 +0000

Go to the farmers market. If you don’t were one is, find it. This is a fun way to get the freshest produce at discount prices.

By: J.B.

J.B. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:03:19 +0000

Here are some eat-at-home ideas for you Danny:
Breakfast:
whole-grain cereal with milk and fruit
oatmeal with nuts, raisins and milk
peanut butter on whole-wheat toast, fruit
eggs any style with toast and juice
Lunch:
Sandwich with a couple slices meat and cheese, lettuce and tomato or cucumbers or peppers; it’s more filling if you use whole-grain or multi-grain bread.
Salad with hard-boiled egg, canned beans, lettuce, in-season veggies (lower-cost), nuts, cheese.
Add some canned or homemade soup if you like it, low-fat sugar-free yogurt or more fruit. Chips or pretzels are OK, but not very nutritious. Only add if absolutely necessary.
Dinner:
Hamburger steaks are a good start. You could buy a good-size bag of all-purpose potatoes and use them for baked potatoes (350 degree oven for 1 hour), mashed potatoes (wash, peel, and cut in halves or thirds, place in pot with water, bring to boil, turn down to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until fork-tender, drain water and mash with butter and milk), or boiled or roasted potatoes. Lots of recipes online.
Baked chicken is easy and you can cook enough for 2-3 meals at one time. (wash, dry, season with salt, pepper and paprika and cook at 350 degrees for an hour. Throw in a potato and some cut up carrots and you have all the meal elements ready at the same time.)
Look for specials in the meat department: pork chops, ham steaks, sausage and even steak goes on sale regularly.
Rice is a cheap starch alternative to potatoes, and I’m also a big fan of corn and legumes like lima beans, that I buy frozen and keep on hand.
Add fresh vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and spinach to round out your plate of meat and starch. Eat fruit for dessert or skip dessert.
Get a good basic beginner’s cookbook — they even have ones aimed at guys — and you will be able to break the fast-food habit and learn some useful kitchen skills. I guarantee you will feel better and fuller than eating out as much.

By: Emily C

Emily C — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:17:09 +0000

Really? $10/day?

I spend $7/day to feed two adults (one of whom has a much higher need for protein than your average male) and two toddlers.

By: Danny

Danny — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:31:33 +0000

I am by myself and have a Hard time Surviving on $10 a day or $300 per month..and usually wind up spending $450-500 per month..I eat at the Fast Food places like McDonald’s and Whatabuger 2x per day to try and stay under $10 with No Luck..I am not a Cook and can only scramble a Few Eggs and do Burgers on the George Foreman..Can someone please provide me with a Menu for Breakfast..Lunch and Dinner..that is less than $10 a day?..I really need to Cut back and I do not know where to Start..I live close to Austin,Texas..Thank YOU.

By: daemondust

daemondust — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:17:50 +0000

When I first started at my current job many of my coworkers laughed at me being vegetarian…. until they realized that often I can eat lunch out for cheaper than they can brown bag it.

By: CatastropheCathy

CatastropheCathy — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:11:36 +0000

Eating healthy is sometimes not cheap but I’m willing to pay more and scrimp elsewhere since eating well and feeling healthy is important.

One good, cheap and easy breakfast is equal parts oats and water and a scoop of peanut butter in the microwave for 90 seconds. Yummy! And you can add nuts or fruit on top too!

catastrophecathy.blogspot.com