How do I eat right on a budget?

Question

My mom just came back from Amish country with some pictures of two nice Mennonite girls. Although they were pale, their skin was radiant. Then I saw a gentleman talk who's been a Vegan for a couple of decades. He looks like he got the glow! I want some of that. I also want to stop feeling sick every time I eat. I feel like this stuff I'm putting inside my body is killing me. For these reasons and more, I want to turn vegan. If not vegan, I at least want to eat healthy. However, two things are keeping me from doing so. One is that I don't know what constitutes eating healthy. Two is that I don't have a lot of money, seeing that I work only part-time.

I went to the Sunflower Market here in Columbus the other day and bought a head of lettuce. It was amazing how fresh and tasty the lettuce was!!! Though the head was smaller than the ones they sell at the grocery store, it didn't taste like someone had sprayed chemicals all over it before wrapping it for sale.

Please help if you can

Answer 1

You can eat vegan, enjoy your food and keep your budget.
Keep in mind that animal products are the most expensive thing you can buy at a store.
You need to make sure that you get enough protein and by eating beans and grains it is easy to do that. You can do it in soups, stews, refried beans and corn or whole wheat tortillas, lots of options. Check out the meat substitutes. Eat only 100% whole grain bread. I always try to buy organic fruits and vegies. They do seem to have more life in them and don't have residual chemicals in them. Remember, even though they cost more, you don't have the expense of the meat so it evens out.
Another important factor for good health is using virgen olive oil. I use it in almost all of my cooking and it is excellent for you and doestn't taste strong when you cook with it.
Drink loads of water, teas, juices, and no sodas except the healthfood variety once in awhile.
Those girls probably rarely if ever drink a soda.
Check out the vegan recipe sites for ideas. There are loads of them out there.
One thing that you need to be aware of is that there is no adequate source of vitamin B12 out there for vegetarians so you need to take a supplement.

Answer 2

I think it would be awesome to go vegan (i still consume dairy and eggs), but I don't have that kind of self control. There are a lot of options when you stop eating meat, but that doesn't sound to me like what exactly you want to to. It looks like you should go organic and be less concerned with the meat in take. Take baby steps, start off by going organic and do that for a while and ease in to vegan-ism.

If you really feel ill when you consume meat then you should consider going vegan, but it's kind of a big transition to make all at once. It really depends on what kind of person you are.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

JD.. do you have a library card or do you ever seek information on the internet about healthy eating. You don't have to be a vegetarian to eat well and healthy. You need to learn the food groups and how to apply them in your daily life. You need to understand the value in the foods that you eat to be food wise. If you don't know how to look things up on the internet I suggest you visit your local library.. there are isles of books on healty eating and the food groups to choose from. wish you well

Answer 4

grow your own vegetables and do it the natural way, meaning do not use bug sprays and stuff for your vegetable plants. that should do it, plus seeds and veggie plants are pretty cheap since it's spring time. if you don't have a lot of room, try container gardening. I did it one year and my veggies weren't that bad either.

Answer 5

You're telling me she won't eat the the value menu at McDonalds?!!! It's the cheapest food provided anywhere!!!!

Answer 6

Garden
Grow your own herbs and veggies