Layout:
Home > Random Observation: The cost of healthy snacking ...

Random Observation: The cost of healthy snacking ...

November 22nd, 2014 at 01:59 pm


I'm trying to have a better stocked pantry/fridge for healthier snack options. I've been shopping more at Sam's Club and filling in with an Aldi's run for things not purchased in bulk. My grocery budget has increased about 15%, but I'm OK with that.

In one week (tracked for past three), we (7) go through about 5# of apples, 5# of tangerines/oranges, 3# bananas, one dozen hard-boiled eggs, 20 ct. box of fiber bars, 36 Danimals, and 20 Oikos yogurt. That does include supplemental breakfast and lunch items, and after school/sports snacks, and sometimes bed time snacking.

The cost for this is $6 + $6 + $1.50 + $1.00 + $7.75 + $10.50 + $8 (just looked at Sam's receipt) = ~ $40.00.

Since this is a random observation, I'm not sure why I'm sharing. I am taking a closer and more honest look of spending in all areas. The "LIVING" category encompasses both gas and groceries (and groceries is the umbrella for food/cleaning/paper/personal care/pets).

I suppose the next area I will look at is lunches. My kids and husband bring their lunches from home. Both the high schools have a cafeteria, but the girls bring from home. The parochial school has an optional hot lunch program but it is ridiculously expensive ($5-$6) for each meal and when you've three eating that can blow the budget very fast.

Since it's a two-day week, I won't bother tracking the cost of lunch things until the first week in December.

7 Responses to “Random Observation: The cost of healthy snacking ...”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1416667063

    I like random observation posts, too.

  2. Bluebird Says:
    1416670786

    I think it's very interesting, thanks for sharing!

  3. patientsaver Says:
    1416681689

    Without knowing what you're comparing the "healthier snack options" spending to, it's hard to make any conclusions.It may seem like a lot of food, but then, we don't know what you consumed/spent before.

  4. snafu Says:
    1416699651

    You do expensive snacks. We did crudités with creamy style dip like ranch or cucumber cut with yogurt or mayo for sticks of carrot, celery, green/red pepper, broccoli or cauliflower stems, snap peas, cucumber and canned beet half rounds etc. DSs would eat anything wrapped in a small tortilla. Smear with cream cheese smoothed with mayo + tuna salad sprinkled with corn kernels, rolled & cut on diagonal, sightly heated. Mini kebobs as sandwich on a stick. Each piece cut the size of 1/2 a grape tomato bread or roll, cheese, tomato, lettuce & bread square loaded on an oversize toothpick.

    Home made mini bran muffins, no bake oatmeal cookies etc. All those chek cereal combinations + pretzels un a paper soda type cup. My favourite is popcorn dressed with a honey, ginger, cinnamon combo

  5. Bluebird Says:
    1416700380

    Fresh fruit and yogurt may be "expensive", but the health benefits far outweigh the cost. I think you're doing a great job DW!

  6. Jane Says:
    1416782950

    For cheap snacks I buy loose carrots in bulk and cut what I don't cook with into carrot sticks to take to work

  7. LivingAlmostLarge Says:
    1416844912

    I spend a fortune on food and live in a very HCOLA. You probably spend 30% more than most people where you live because you try to eat well and healthy! That's the horrible price people pay when cheaper/filler foods are so much CHEAPER. I can't stand it.

    I bought the same 5# of apples at costco granny smith and honey crips for $14 each package for 10 lbs of apples. I just paid $6.99 for 2 dozen eggs from costco, and $1.50 for 3 lbs of bananas (same). 20 ct fiber bars which I've bought run me $12.99 and 36 danimals are $14.99. I don't buy either often because of price and added sugar. You should try making your own bars they are a lot cheaper but it does take time. And usually I make a ridiculous amount. But you have a large family so it might be worth it. Oikos yogurt runs where I live same 20 pack $12.99, I usually buy now fage large containers because of no added sugar.

    So I cringe that I paid $7.99 for 18 oz of blueberries and $4.99 raspberries from costco. A honeydew cost me $4.49. Pears are running 2.49/lb and grapes are $2.99/lb. I try to buy heads of lettuce and leafy greens but they are so expensive.

    This month without my meat eating I'm still over what I normally spend because I am eating fully 5 fruit and veggie servings a day and so are the kids and DH. I can't believe how expensive things are.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]