It is a known fact that United States is seen around the world as a country with a “poor” diet – high concentrations of processed food, sugar, red meat, and the reduction of veggies and fruit. In search for convenience and speed, people tend to fall into eating habits that aren’t the healthiest of choices, but that simply get the work of being full done. Many people believe that they don’t have enough time to cook meals from scratch even if it’s only a couple of times a week. You can see that grocery lists become more filled with “ready to eat” meals, frozen pre-made dinners, canned meals etc. Typically, that kind of ‘diet’ is high in fats, sodium, calories and preservatives, a lethal combination when eaten for long periods of time.

While some Americans get into unhealthy eating habits due to their lack of time and life style, others make their choices based on their budget. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Plan, an American family of four (with kids above the age of five) on a ‘thrifty’ budget spend on average $644.40 a month, while those with a ‘liberal’ budget spend an average of $1284.30 a month. Unfortunately, those with the ‘thrifty’ budget make up the majority of the population of the country. [1]

Does eating on a budget have to be unhealthy, though? Typically, people tend to believe that the healthy options are more expensive than what they can afford. USA Today mentions that such an assumption is only a myth: “We constantly hear the claim that you can’t eat healthy on a budget, and to us, that’s a myth because a family can eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables that meets the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” says Robert Post, associate executive director of the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.[2]

If that is indeed a myth, what would be the solution for the families who do live on a ‘thrifty’ budget? “Cost of Feeding a Family of Four: $146 to $289 A Week” in USA today explores this topic well and provides various tips from dietitians, nutrition experts and others.  These tips include: budget well, cook at home, shop on sale and in bulk, drink water, eat less meat, shop seasonally, and plan it out. Make a menu for a week, buy only the things that are sure to be used, and go for the product that is on sale.

If you need motivation to make a change in your diet, #PassMyPlate is an excellent option, with great side benefits. By taking this challenge, you’ll limit your food consumption to no more than $1.90 per day, per person, for one week during the month of September (you decide the week).  Yes, this amount covers all three meals in a day!  Difficult, but not impossible, especially if you follow some of the delicious recipes we have for you on our site at www.PassMyPlate.com/recipes.  There, you’ll find recipes by #Mind Over Munch, by #Byron Talbott, #BudgetBytes, and more – delicious and inexpensive!  Not only will you learn how to eat simply and well but you will also help provide funds for children who don’t have enough food to get them through the day.  How? The challenge asks you to donate the difference between what you would have normally spent during the week and what you actually spent ($1.90 per day) to #AFCAids.  Super easy and ZERO out-of-pocket costs to you, as you donate what you would have normally spent! We will turn those donations into sustainable food solutions for children who desperately need good nutrition – gardens, livestock, vaccines and care for animals, and training are all part of a well-rounded answer for those who are hungry. AFCA helps build up orphaned families and orphanages by setting and managing programs that help break the cycle of poverty and we invite you to be part of this.

We did a little research to find out the cost of some foods sold at #Redners and #Walmart and here’s our findings:

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Food Item Unit of Measure # Servings Price-Redners Cost per serving Price-Walmart Cost per serving
Bananas 1 pound $0.49 $0.16 $0.49 $0.16
Potatoes 8 pounds Approx. 14 potatoes $3.98 $0.28 $4.52 $0.32
Sweet potatoes 3 pounds Approx. 10 small potatoes $1.98 $0.20
White rice 5 pounds 50 servings $3.39 $0.07
White rice 10 pounds 100 servings $7.39 $0.07
White rice 20 pounds 200 servings $8.92 $0.04
Store brand blackeye peas 15 ounce can 3 servings $0.99 $0.33
Store brand butter beans 16 ounce can 4 servings $0.89 $0.22
Great Value navy beans, red kidney beans, or black beans 15.5 ounce can 3 ½ servings $0.63 $0.18
Store brand lima beans, carrots, beets, corn, and sweet peas 15 ounce can 3 servings $0.99 $0.33
Hanover canned corn or sweet peas 2 pounds 9 servings $1.58 $0.18
Margaret Holmes canned mixed greens, collard greens, or turnip greens 1 pound, 11 oz. 6 servings $1.00 $0.17
Store brand egg noodles 16 ounces 6-8 servings $1.39 $0.23
Store brand macaroni 1 pound 8 servings $1.00 $0.13 $1.00 $0.13
Great Value Elbow Macaroni 3 pounds 24 servings $2.92 $0.12
12 packages Ramen noodles 3 ounces each 24 servings $3.97 $0.17
Dried black beans 1 pound 10 servings $1.39 $0.14 $1.27 $0.13
Dried barley 1 pound 10 servings $0.99 $0.10
Dried split peas 1 pound 10 servings $0.99 $0.10
Dried lentils 1 pound 10 servings $1.79 $0.18
Store brand oatmeal 2 pounds 30 ½ c servings $2.89 $0.09 $2.46 $0.08
Store brand peanut butter 1 pound 16 servings/2 tblsps ea. $2.99 $0.19
Great Value Peanut Butter 2 pounds 35 servings/2 tblsps ea. $3.12 $0.09
Frozen mixed vegetables 5 pounds 20 servings $4.99 $0.25
Frozen mixed vegetables 3 pounds 16 servings $3.48 $0.22
Frozen lima beans 2 pounds 11 servings $3.64 $0.33
Frozen beef liver 1 pounds 4 servings (or 8 small) $2.48 $0.62 or $0.31 small
Frozen Great Value Chicken Drumsticks 4 pounds Approx. 11 servings $4.98 $0.45
Great Value Chunk Chicken Breast 2 pound can 14 2-ounce servings $3.98 $0.28
Great Value Chunk Light Tuna 4 5-ounce cans 8 2-ounce servings/can $2.96 $0.28
Store brand eggs 1 dozen 12 servings $0.69 $0.06

[1]https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/CostofFoodJul2018.pdf
[2] http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/01/grocery-costs-for-family/2104165/

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