Friday, September 14, 2012

Is it possible to eat healthy on low income?

I've been faced with these kinds of decisions over the past few years. I strive for a low carb menu for our health but it's not always possible to stay within a strict low carb plan because of budget restrictions. So, I do my best within the financial boundaries that the Lord has placed on me.

I had an interesting choice to make at the grocery store yesterday.  With $10 left in my grocery budget I was left with the decision whether to purchase butter at $2.50 or margarine for $.89. I know..I know..  it seems like a silly thing to write about but I'm learning that these kind of decision sometimes make the difference as to whether I can stay within my monthly allotment for groceries. 

There was a time when my children were growing up that I never purchased butter.  I just didn't feel that I could afford it. There was also not as much information about the health benefits of butter vs. margarine. But, for the past 8 plus years, I have purchased butter. Thankfully, we had the income to support the decision.

I could have bought the butter (and went without something else) but I was hesitant to use a 1/4 of what I had left not knowing what needs may come up in the coming days before our next paycheck. So.. I purchased the margarine.




I also had this decision to make when purchasing meat towards the end of this month. I normally don't purchase a lot of pork and try to focus more on chicken and smaller amounts of  beef. But, the pork meat was nearly $1 less a pound than the other types so that is what I bought to stretch my money. 
I do believe that what we eat can have a lot to do with our health but I also know so many older people who have broken many of the 'rules' for healthy eating (which change each generation) and have lived a long healthy life. They lady I care for has eaten margarine all her life. I've often teased her and said, 'you better stop eating that margarine or you won't live to be 92 years old'. We both laugh.

 Everyone will have to make these choices for themselves. My conscience does not condemn me on eating margarine so I'm free to indulge when our money is tight. 

 I do the best I can to purchase healthy foods on our low income but I don't stress if I can't hold to it perfectly. I'm thankful to have food to put on my table. There are so many in foreign countries and our own United States that are hungry and would be thankful for even one stick of margarine. 

So, we ask the Lord to bless our food and thank Him for His provision!


The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. Psalm 145:15

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31

11 comments:

  1. "So, we ask the Lord to bless our food and thank Him for His provision!"

    Yes!

    We try to buy the best quality food we can afford and sometimes that varies from month to month! It's ok!

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  2. We use very little butter and I usually freeze sticks of it for when I absolutely have to have it. On my Weight Watcher diet I am learning to get by with a lot less meat and still be healthy. I have a list of super food and try to spend money on those items instead of convenience food.

    I have a new blogger friend from another country who does an upscale version of dumpster diving. She does quite well and takes time to can her finds smf blog about it. She doesn't have Mason jars, but does well without them.

    I read recently that 80% of our world consumes cooked bugs. Can you imagine that!

    Hugs,
    Carol

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    1. What is in your list of 'super foods' Carol?

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    2. Essentials every week are cooked spinach, turmeric(husband gets these in pills), tomatoes (fresh or cooked), dark chocolate that I use with expensive coconut oil for my husband, carrots, blueberries we get every day in yogurt, sweet potatoes, oranges, bananas, and cinnamon. I want to add these super foods when I can: oats, flaxseed, wild rice, raw beets, canned pumpkin and almonds.

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  3. I agree with everything you've said in this post. We need to make the best and healthiest choices our budget will allow and within reason, and trust in God for the results. I do like you do ;-)

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  4. Great post my friend. There are many of times we've went with just beans and cornbread. Buy a big bag of pinto beans that will last us a long while and cornmeal or buy the packages of cornbread by Martha White or Jiffy when on sale for 69 cents a box. Beans are a great protein if meats expensive.

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  5. Growing up, raised by a single mother.... we lived on corn bread and pinto beans. I love them then and now they're my comfort food.

    A very good post!

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    1. I love beans and cornbread, too. I used to make a pot of beans at the end of the month when money ran out. Now I make them and take the leftover to mom's. :-)

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  6. I don't have the budget constraints you do at this time, but I am still trying to keep a stocked pantry/small freezer of budget priced foods. I personally love beans & cornbread too, and I have found that although I'm not a fan of pork--If I pressure cook it , I can make a decent pulled pork for BBQ, etc and that I like better. I've always loved butter since I was a little girl it was given to me as a 'health food' by an elderly neighbor. Of course now I'm battling weight & wondering if its so good an idea. hard to give up though--so I just reduce it. Prices are rising so much right now, I know it will be good when we can make another move, and be able to have a garden again. Right now I only have some herbs in our very shady rented yard.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mary...I'm so glad that your budget has lighted up some. You sure deserved a break. You always worked so hard to stretch your income.

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