I found an older thread on this topic, but since it was from 2008, I wanted to get updated 09 estimates, since at least here in Northern California I've seen quite a difference in grocery store prices recently.
In just a few days of transitioning, I've already had to go to the store a few times. I keep underestimating how hungry I'll be or how much I should buy and it frightens me to see the bills keep stacking up. I'm a struggling full time college student on a part time budget and I'm not really sure I can afford to be this healthy >.< I know I'll need to plan better and focus on simplicity, but I was just wondering what you folks are spending per week or per month
eep!!
Comments
Hey there! I've found that when we first started up raw foods, the bills were a little higher. But once I really started planning ahead and getting more of a feel for what I'd need, it's come down a bit. You'll find if you're doing raw, you won't eat out as much, so you have to know you're saving a good deal of money there, so even if your grocery bill is a little higher, you're probably making up for it by not eating out so much, etc.
Another thing is, maybe you could go only 70 percent raw? I've heard that if you eat 70 percent and higher, your body is healthy enough to flush out the rest. So if you eat a little cooked food, which tends to be more lasting, it may save you a little. That of course depends on how you feel about doing that personally.
Hope that helps!
288 a month???? wow I'm jeaouls.
Im looking into farmer's markets in my area.
I don't qualify for foodstamps unfortunately. Not struggling enough!
Currently I'm avoiding the more advanced raw recipes and so forth for cost concerns and just because I'm really busy and kind of scared of most of them.
But at my weight I have to eat a lot of calories so my bill is high from all the produce!
Thanks for all the tips though. I'm taking them all under advisement!
There are certain foods that you can get away with out buying organic and still not get the toxins and what not, there is a list online that you can look at but I did make a copy of it and would like to give a little run down of what I have found but I will say that organic is always the best direction to go if at all possible...
Items you must buy Organic
coffee, peaches, apples, Bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strayberries, cherries, Kale, All leafy greens, grapes
carrots, pears, tomatoes
Item that dont need to be organic
Onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avacados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangos, asparagus, peas, kiwi, cabbage,
Eggplant, papaya, watermelon, brocolli, oranges
Also to get better rates on organic foods you can also join CSA and save alot of money in the long run, of course Farmers markets are great too
christianmomof5: I never even considered the fact that some plants require more pesticides, etc than others. That's a really helpful way to look at produce shopping on a budget. I live in a very high end neighborhood currently (because I live with my dad) and everything is overpriced just because. Esp organic or health food items. It's pretty trendy to look/act green around here. Anyways thanks for pointing that out. Im learning so many new things just in general about plants and food and budgeting from trying to go raw haha.
Im moving to Sacramento soon and there are farmer's markets in every little niche of town on all days of the week so I'm really looking forward to having easy access there. And I need to eat less too!! argh
*bump*
i thought about this question today and did a search and found this thread. would like to know how much are you spending on raw food weekly? just groceries, not including raw restaurants, or organic personal hygiene stuff. if you buy superfoods, please list it separately.
i'm asking this because right now im in china, and having certified-organic veggies delivered to my home is really expensive. so i settle with eco-green veggies. i just wanted to know what ppl are paying in US right now :) thanks~~
oh if you buy for more than 1 person, please state that too.
This time of year, I use about 200$ per month as forests are full of berries and mushrooms and I get some greens, fruits and veggies from our garden. I freeze and dehydrate a LOT of berries and mushrooms for winter but in winter fresh fruits, veggies and greens are very expensive here in Finland, so the bill will grow to 500$ per month.