Frugal Living = Healthy Living?

**UKMum** · 01-26-2006, 07:12 AM

I know it's only been less than 3 weeks, since I decided to make MAJOR changes in the way my family lives, But I have noticed that living a frugal life is rather a healthy way to be!

For example, we used to eat out and order take-aways 4-5 times a week, as Im no great cook

, but after putting my mind to the task and actually making STEW and soups(nothing great), Pastas, salads and meat meals, I have noticed a rapid change in our diets.

Gone are the curries/pizzas/kebabs/BK/ and McD's on a regular basis...In place is healthy and more enjoyable foods.

No one has complained in my house, Yesterday I made cakes and took them into work

..I was proud.....
I know I have a long way to go, but It seems as though this is all making sense, it is comming together and now I can see the bigger picture.......

I know this is a bit adventurous, but right now Im sitting in my kitchen looking out into our backgarden...thinking I may well try growing Veggies, after reading up about a more simple way of living.....

This was never the case only 2 months ago...

**Mamaw** · 01-26-2006, 07:35 AM

Good job! I am also working on more at home baking. DH is very much a home cooked meal kind of guy so we never did alot of take out meals but I have not baked much from scratch in years. You just keep it up and before long your co workers will be asking for your recipes and waiting until it is your turn to bring treats into the office. Keep it up. You are doing great

**peanut** · 01-26-2006, 10:45 AM

Yep! That's the way it goes. And if you really want to see healthy, go shopping with seniors on a tight budget. They often have very healthy diets due to doctor's orders, and yet they meet the requirements on very little income.

I know our diet has improved remarkably since becoming frugal...and being under doctor's orders.

Jean

**Emerald_Mommy** · 01-26-2006, 10:58 AM

People (like our parents) are always asking us how we're stying so thin (I guess they think we have eating disorders!). Philip and I eat whatever we want but we have reasonable portions. And we don't eat much meat at all. We have pasta and sauce at least once a week (often more) and we eat several meatless meals. We don't keep snack food like potato chips or packaged cookies in the house and we only buy soft drinks on special occasions (when there are lots of people to help finish them.) No doubt we could do better but just those simple things are helping us keep healthy.

WTG to you and your family!

**tlenad** · 01-26-2006, 10:59 AM

Man don't I know that's the truth. Before I started working on being more frugal, I ate lunch out everyday and would pick up dinner a few times a week. Now I bring my lunch and make dinner. Less expensive? Yes. But the added bonus is I've lost 5 lbs without even trying.

**Englishlady** · 01-26-2006, 12:12 PM

Being frugal is indeed healthier if you replace take out food with home cooked food

The temptation is to buy "ready made" stuff and kid yourself, it's cheaper than take out, yes it is, BUT, if you start as you mean to go on a little bit time spent pre-preparing food/cooking another meals worth of food on a regular basis and freezing it,means that in a few weeks you will not have to worry about "what to have" for dinner/tea etc.

I have to agree with Emerald-Mommy (another Karen

)
Meatless meals are CHEAPER! and if you can't give it up at least cut down and/or use it as a condiment rather than the main item.

Not buying body junk will save you a fortune too ( not to mention save your waistline!)
Body junk? Fizzy pop/biscuits/cakes/crisps/sweets all that trash aimed at kids/busy moms,the little over priced "dip-this-biscuit-thing-in-that-chemical-goop" products

Your body will be thinner and your wallet fatter what more could you ask for?

**KimSecret** · 01-26-2006, 12:44 PM

Your doing an awesome job...keep up the good work!

My best friend has been battling weight problems for yrs now, but she and her family (Dh & 2 sons) eat out for EVERY MEAL. She doesnt know how to cook (doesnt care to learn) and her Dh works a lot so doesnt have a lot of time to cook.

**QuilterMom** · 01-26-2006, 12:53 PM

Way to go!!!!!!!

**Hardy1** · 01-26-2006, 01:46 PM

Good luck with the garden!! Now is the time that people get the seed catalogues out and have a look. What part of the UK are you in? No doubt you won't be growing outdoor tomatoes if it's the north if Scotland but I'm sure you could anywhere else. I grow mine on the kitchen windowsill - just 3 pots - but I have a friend who plants hers in the garden - loads of them!! We used to have a veg garden in Scotland - I miss that. We're in Suffolk now, milder and pretty dry but smaller garden, 2 dogs, so no veg out there.
W

**schellie69** · 01-26-2006, 01:54 PM

I have also started to make more from scratch and instead of cutting meat out of my meal (dh would not like that one bit) I use ground turkey with my hamburger to steach it which also makes it less fatteing so it works all the way around. am going to learn how to make some snacks for the kids. just taking it one step at a time. I am also thinking about planting a garden this summer.

**Michele Annette** · 01-26-2006, 03:11 PM

Great job!

**cheapgeek** · 01-26-2006, 04:28 PM

I agree with what's been said so far, but when I first glanced at the thread title, I didn't agree with the statement that frugal = healthy. When I was absolutely flat broke and living off ramen noodles and boxed pasta dinners, I was seriously unhealthy and struggled with my weight. True healthy eating costs a lot more money.

**i.m.cheap** · 01-26-2006, 05:43 PM

I have to agree with cheapgeek. We have been trying to improve our diets, and it is costing alot more. I am well known in my town as a "Coupon Queen". I get many things free or for just pennies. Unfortunately, some of these freebies are very bad for our health, and my waistline! Things like Betty Crocker Warm Delights, Nestle Cookie Dough, frozen garlic bread, frozen waffles, frozen chickn nugget dinners, Hamburger Helper,etc. I have gotten all these things FREE in the last few months.

I finally had to just say ENOUGH! I still bring home the free shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, and other non-food items, but if it is loaded with sugar and/or fat, I just leave it at the store. I have already lost 15 pounds.

Now we are trying to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, skinless chicken, fish, beans, low-fat or fat-free dairy, and whole grains. Even though I only buy meat and produce specials each week, our grocery bill has really increased! When you substitute an apple or orange at 50¢ each for a handful of FREE cookies, or even cheap oatmeal in place of FREE waffles, your grocery bill goes up. The payoff in terms of improved health is worth every penny, but I do spend more than I did on "junk'.

**inneedofhope** · 01-26-2006, 10:22 PM

I went through the free food with coupons stage once, with the same results! Yes. I got a full cupboard for a small price, but it was soo unhealthy. Its the coupons that throw it off. I've learned that just because it is free doesn't mean I should bring it home!

**UKMum** · 01-27-2006, 07:35 AM

^^^
When I made the thread, I was making a comparrison between take away meals and making meals from scratch.
I find that we are eating more healthy compared to when we were eating take-away foods several times a week.
Now Im making lunches for my hubby and daughter, plus no take-away pizzas/curries/kebabs etc....