Experiments in budgeting: A meatless week
He could save 20% on his food budget. (Image credit: Tambako the Jaguar)
The other day my sister Caitlan asked me if I thought $350 was an excessive monthly food budget for one person. I said I thought it was, but eventually changed my mind. Those of us who are conscious about what we buy and put in our bodies can easily spend $12 a day on groceries. In our current food system, whole foods like lean meats, fresh produce, whole grains and unprocessed sugars are generally more expensive than refined foods made with cheap fructose. Cost rise considerably for those who choose organic over conventionally grown foods.
It’s a dilemma I share with my sister. How do we feed ourselves well, have less impact on the planet, and spend less than $50 per week per person? I decided to experiment by cutting one of the most expensive items from my food budget this week: meat.
My husband and I cook meat at home about 4-5 times per week. Even though it’s not an every day occurrence, meat accounts for approximately 20% - 30% of our weekly food budget. Trim that off the bill and we’ll have met our goal of less than $50 per week per person. But will we feel satisfied? Will we get enough protein? Without possessing the convictions behind vegetarianism, will it be difficult to stick to a truly meatless diet? And do we really have to eat tofu?
Today we started with a meatless breakfast burrito and plan to have leftover veggie pizza for lunch. Dinner will be a cauliflower and pea curry with brown rice. So far so good. I’ll blog over the next week about our experimentation with vegetarianism. Stay tuned.
Tags: budget-eating, recession-tips, shopping
May 26th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I read “Diet for a Small Planet” in 1968-69??? (it’s hard to remember AND I am dating myself). However, I became a complete vegetarian and for a small time…vegan…after reading that book. I also struggled with how to eat, how to feed my children (as I had both of them). And, by the way, my now 6′5” son had no meat until he was 6 years old. However, as I became more involved in athletics, as well as having a full-time plus job AND raising two children by myself, I succumbed to adding fish and fowl to my diet. I’m not making excuses, just telling my story…as it is today. But, I agree…I love going out to meet my friends, but have always seldomed included feeling like I have to “eat out” to “be out”. It’s always a matter of priorities…jj