Not convinced that eating raw food is more expensive than eating a standard diet

[MysticTree]

In 2011 I have eaten 100% raw and I have eaten SAD non raw, non vegan.

I have given up a £3/day coca~cola habit and I can grow much of what I need raw-wise in my garden. So . . .

Is eating 100% raw that much more expensive than eating non-raw? Is it actually more expensive at all?

There are certainly ways in which you can make it so - by choosing the most exotic, out of season foods but with careful choices of in season foods and end of day bargains and use of sprouted foods and home-grown I think that it needn't be more expensive.

I looked at what I could spend if I had a very, very sad day and if it started with a breakfast at a certain fast food joint and then progressed to sandwiches from the sandwich van that comes to our work place then I would have already spent a whole day's worth of food money and still have all the afternoon and evening still to get through.

I think a thoughtful raw food spend can easily equate to a thoughtful SAD food spend. The fast food spend excesses will equate to the exotic, out of season Raw food spend.

So why do so many people still think that raw is soooooooooo expensive? Buy a pineapple and we think "Omg! this is so expensive" but we don't buy a SAD burger and think the same even though it probably costs more than the pineapple. Why is that?

This year I shall be trying to get back to a semblance of 100% raw and I am reckoning that it shouldn't be any more expensive than if I were to eat SAD.

[Meat_Juice]

Well I usually only spend 7 to 9 bucks a day on fruits and vegetables. Of course, produce is much cheaper in the summer, but now its winter. I hardly even buy vegetables, because I don't want to opt high calorie food(fruit) for something healing to the body but in low calories(leafy greens).

If I don't buy fruit, I buy a big bag of white potatoes, which of course, when I cook it, makes me put on a little weight.


I might get 8 bananas, a bag of apples(8 apples in a bag), and a bag of grapes.
Or I might get 2 bags of oranges(each have 9 oranges)




I don't know how I am getting away with it, but apparently I haven't lost any weight eating 18 oranges or grapefruit a day. And I of course mix up my fruit so to have a little variety.





So all that, adds up to about 49 to 60 dollars a week.

[Traceyraw]

I think its cheaper to eat raw than sad. A st__k cost $8-9. Family of four plus side dishes approximately $40 for one meal. $40 can get quite a bit of produce. When I first went raw I spent a fortune buying everything gourmet and prepared. Then I realized simple is better for me and my budget. The stuff that lasts I buy in bulk. apples, carrots, and celery.

[MysticTree]

I think its cheaper to eat raw than sad. A st__k cost $8-9. Family of four plus side dishes approximately $40 for one meal. $40 can get quite a bit of produce. When I first went raw I spent a fortune buying everything gourmet and prepared. Then I realized simple is better for me and my budget. The stuff that lasts I buy in bulk. apples, carrots, and celery.
rofl ... when eating SAD I certainly can't afford most cuts of most m***s even for just me! Anyone who can afford s****k can afford to eat raw. In the UK for sure.

[Traceyraw]

I never ate red m__t never bought it never cooked it but my Brother in Law SAD SAD eater spends $300 every 2 weeks on groceries I only spend $150-$250 and That includes diapers for my son. Now my BIL had type 2 diabetes and he is having colon pain. His freezer is full of BA_on. My husband is not raw not even vegan but he will eat mostly F_sh or tofu. He is a slim 170 lbs and is healthy. My BIL is about 40lbs over weight. Its seems cheaper to be healthier.

[MysticTree]

I'd be interested to hear from those who say raw is more expensive and to know what it is that makes it that way for them.

[RawDad]

Since October 28th 2011 my family of 3 spent $1,961.94 on groceries (raw food only). That is about $30 per day, about $1000 per month. If I didn't spend extra on super foods, expensive raw nuts and seeds, and raw granolas I could probably save a lot of money.

I'd say its about the same as my SAD selections, if not a little more or less expensive. No records were kept before going raw in my house.

Start a Raw Spending Log! Lets figure this out. If you have a SAD spending log please share as well.

[MysticTree]

Start a Raw Spending Log! Lets figure this out. If you have a SAD spending log please share as well.

My bf and I shop together so our food bills are combined. I'd have to take two baskets through the checkout to split it and even then there are raw foods he eats too so any log I make will be purely approximate!

[Traceyraw]

I don't know how I am getting away with it, but apparently I haven't lost any weight eating 18 oranges or grapefruit a day. And I of course mix up my fruit so to have a little variety."



I think if you add more greens and cut down the sugar you should loose weight. Definitely cut out the potatoes for now. Try celery, almond butter. Cabbage is very cleansing and inexpensive.

[speltrong]

I have to agree that the more questionable and processed raw items are the things that are expensive. Nuts (which in most cases are not raw), agave nectar (also not raw from what I understand), pre-made raw meals, nama shoyu, good olive oil, supplements (which I don't even understand why those are popular if the idea of raw is to eat naturally)... all of those things can be sooooo expensive! It also depends on where you shop. I shop at either Whole Foods or a local natural market, and it's a lot more expensive that a mainstream grocer would be, but I like their selection better. And eating out is insane.. hubby and I just spent $85 on a single raw meal at a local raw restaurant yesterday. Yikes! I think that if you stick to a more simple diet of truly whole foods, it can be quite affordable. Especially if you are able to shop at farmer's markets and buy fruits & veggies when they are in season, which I do weekly. I can also find less expensive, truly raw nuts by going out to some of the farms near us and buying direct from the farmer. So, I think it just depends on your personal eating habits, but I think the cost of raw food definitely CAN be comparable to or cheaper than cooked food!

[FantasticSarcastic]

I found a community garden where I live where you get goods for "sweat equity." Volunteer at the garden one day and take some produce home. There is also a co-op that has great organic produce for $36.00 a week for a large bag and a produce market that is pretty cheap. The produce market isn't organic, but it's cheap. Maybe this will be cheaper than cooked food! Also, nut peices in the bulk section seem to be cheaper than whole nuts.

[DawnD]

I think how much you spends depends on what your habits and lifestyle are like. I buy what I want or need and don't really pay attention to price. I don't have a garden or go to local farms or orchards to buy produce. I spend $100-125 per week for 2 people. I am going to try to search out some cheaper options like buying the not-so-pretty apples at the orchard. I can buy for less and dry them. Sam's has medjool dates 2 pounds for $8. My local HFS has the 1 pound for $8. Big difference except HFS dates are organic. I have never been a bargin hunter or coupon user but I am sure with a little effort I can do better.

Oh and lets not forget to add up the savings in health care expense or missed days at work for being sick! If you spend more for quality food you will bring down the cost for your health care.

[blessteve]

I grow enough greens to have one serving a day all winter long. I ferment them. That is just the cost of seeds.