Today we’re talking about the food budget. That’s nothing new: I think everyone in the nation is talking about the rising price of food and what to do about it. Last year I shared 13 tips to manage the food budget.
There’s a common idea floating around that junk food is cheaper than nutritious food, so our diets must suffer when the budget is pinched. The writer of this article from the NY Times disagrees, and so do I.
As the price of food goes up, the way we eat is undeniably affected, but not necessarily for the worse. Instead, we have chosen to shift away from many of the prepared foods that lingered in our diet:
- Canned beans are now cooked from dried.
- Spaghetti sauce is made from tomato paste for a fraction of the cost.
- Ditto for enchilada sauce and…
- Pizza sauce.
- I finally kicked the cream-of-mushroom habit and started making white sauce from scratch consistently.
- Cold cereal is more rare than ever in our house, a treat reserved for especially rushed Sunday mornings.
As the budget shrinks, we cook even more from scratch. If we want convenience foods, we break out the pressure canner. We do pinto and black beans often, and have also tried pizza sauce, enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, pumpkin, apple pie filling, chili, jalapeno relish, and chicken bought on sale.
We also keep an eye on the cost of individual meals, shying away from those that cost more than others.
We eat far more beans, are learning to love lentils, and God has provided inexpensive sources of other healthful foods that weren’t even in our diet before now. We still eat a lot of produce, always sticking to what’s in season and what’s on sale. Red meat has become a rarity in our house, but that’s ok. Chicken goes on sale often, and we don’t need meat every day. Many meals are just as satisfying without the meat: bean & cheese enchiladas, taco salad with seasoned beans instead of taco meat, potato chowder and other hearty soups, fried rice with lots of eggs and veggies.
If beans and legumes aren’t enough, we get plenty of protein from homegrown eggs, from Costco cheese, and milk. We’re even dabbling in quinoa – not cheap, but also not bad as a source of protein, and lots of fun to cook and eat. Is it just me, or are the tiny spirals adorable?
The result of rising food prices? We are eating less prepared foods, less corn syrup, more fiber, and more protein.
How have rising food prices affected your household budget and diet? How have you responded? Answer in the comments or link up with your own post.
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The other 4 Moms are talking about it too.
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I’ve started a bunch of things that have slashed our grocery budget in half; everything from stretching a five pound chicken into seven meals to planning a month’s worth of meals to stocking up my freezer. I have been fairly successful, but the best part is I find I actually enjoy it! Spending less money has turned into a fun challenge.
I love this topic, frugal eating is one of the reason’s I started follow mom’s of many:D I only have 3 kids, but I have learned so much:D
Great topic Kim! Thanks for more great ideas on how to cut the cost of groceries. With ten children and four on the way, our grocery bill just keep rising!
Grocery shopping is like a moving target. One week I do great. The next, not so much. Love seeing what others are doing.
“Kicked the cream of mushroom habit” – I got a good laugh out of this, Kim!!! Coming from a German background, that’s a serious addiction for me.
I do purchase some from Aldi, but homemade white sauce is one I often do too.
Much of saving money on groceries is directly related to contentment, isn’t it? One I continue to learn… Good lesson for our big crew too.
How do you make pizza, enchilada and spaghetti sauce from tomato paste? This is intriguing.
Dear Kim,
How did you know I was posting about the food budget today? SomeOne knew! I love what you guys put together!
Hi, Have been lurking for a bit and really enjoying your blog. Thanks!
We are up in rural central Ontario, Canada, and the food prices here are through the roof. I stoped by our local grocery for the mid-week eggs/milk/bread refill and saw that small chickens were on for $18.00! We have just celebrated Thanksgiving and normally the left over turkeys would be on sale but their process were averaging $42.00 each. Meat is getting scary expensive… but to make us all feel better about being fleeced the grocery store has just purchased all new carts and installed new checkout counters. Perhaps if I thought the added expense was going to the farmer and not to head office for decor changes…
Not just you- the tiny spirals are adorable. But where I live, quinoa is more expensive than meat.
Aldi’s has very cheap chicken (about half the price–$4 for a large chicken compared to $8-10 at Walmart, etc.), very tasty, and not as much fat as most brands. It’s in the freezer section–doesn’t look appealing in its wrapping, but other than organic chicken, tastes better than any other chicken we’ve ever eaten! Thanks for the note about the beans and lentils….I’ve always been scared of dried beans…..I guess it’s the soaking & cleaning??? However, I think we’re going to try them now.