Changing Our Eating Habits
July 4, 2009 | Filed under Food
Mr. M and I do not eat heathily. It’s a lifestyle thing – we spend a lot of time just lounging around in the evening, and by the time we actually realise that we’re hungry, it’s usually around 9pm or later. It’s not a time that’s conducive to cooking up a healthy feast in the kitchen, nor to even slapping together a simple sandwich. Instead, we find ourselves driving out for take-away food: chips with gravy, KFC, Macca’s, kebabs, basically whatever’s fast, unhealthy, and still open at that time. We’ve found ourselves driving to Macca’s at midnight for their soft serve and apple pie much too many times.
We can’t keep doing this. Not only is it really bad for our overall health, but it’s really unhealthy for our wallets. If we’re going out for both lunch and dinner, we can easily spend $20AUD a day on take-out food each, which is ridiculous when that same amount could buy a few day’s worth of groceries. Neither of us are financially able to support this kind of habit – he has student debts to pay off, I have a house to save up for, etc.
So, we’ve decided to completely overhaul our eating habits. I have a friend who works as a grocerer – he works at the wholesale produce market and gets fruit and vegetables at cost price. We’ve approached him to supply us with $15AUD worth of fruit and veggies each week – that’s about a full fridge’s worth of produce when you’re buying at cost price. With the produce we’d then:
- Make two litres worth of juices every two days as a healthy drink (rather than fizzy or sweet drinks) – from apple juices, carrot juices, celery juices, etc., all mixed up in a blended concoction
- Have fruit as a snack
- Prepare carrot/celery/etc as snack foods that we can have with different dips and cheese and stuff.
- Cook all other vegetables – whether roasting, baking, steaming, stir-frying, whatever.
That way even if we eat out once or twice a week, we’re still having healthy food the rest of the time, which would make a huge difference to both our health and our wallets. I think he’s concerned about his protein intake so he’ll probably grill a steak every now and again – I on the other hand, have never really been a big fan of red meat so could happily give up eating meat when with him and only eat it when we dine out.
In any case, that’s the plan. No more unhealthy food (or at least, less of it!), and a dramatic increase of our intake of fresh produce. Added savings each week, which in turn will put us in a better financial situation that will allow us more options.
10 Responses to Changing Our Eating Habits
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It’s great that you guys are taking notice of the small things like eating fast food constantly. I recently discovered the same thing myself and don’t particularly eat as much fast food as I used to. I think my overall mental state (not to mention physical) has benefit from it.
If you are interested in any good healthy snacks to whip up from the vegies and stuff then you can just ask me about it mainly because my mum is a fresh produce nut and will only really eat FRESH PRODUCE. I think it has stemmed from her anorexia she suffered when she was 17…either way, they’re yummy, filling and healthy. xD
P.S Or you could always look online! xP
April on July 4, 2009 #
I thought you were going to call him Dylan from now on.
Good luck! Since I moved into my own apartment, the fast food has gone way down (I have a fridge I can put things in now!). Saved A LOT of money.
Reply: Whoops, force of habit! :P
Skye on July 4, 2009 #
Haha, Skye beat me. I thought he was Dylan now! :P
I think it’s awesome that you’re trying to eat better. Josh and I are going to start doing that too once we move into our new apartment next week. I’m looking forward to it.
Caity on July 5, 2009 #
$15 = full fridge? That’s crazy, but awesome. You’ll have to let us know what good stuff you make with all the veggies. My mom and I have been trying to up the veggie intake, but steamed and raw veggies get dull after a while.
TWD on July 5, 2009 #
Any sort of nut is high in protein, and chicken and fish are too :P The world doesn’t run on just red meat, you know. And chicken is much cheaper than beef. Don’t sell yourself short on your protein intake… or I’ll have to go all nutritionist on your ass.
Stephanie on July 5, 2009 #
Becareful you’re not having too much sugar, I know you’re going healthy and its a beauiful first step, but what people don’t realise is that boost juice and juice bars are just as UNHEALTHY because of the amount of sugars.
Sugar is still sugar, whether its processed or natural.
Alternative to fruits for snacks… try nuts (I now you’re already getting some tasty nuts… but seriously…) … a bit more expensive BUT a lot better than lots and lots of fruits. I miss my nuts.. (yes i had them removed…j.k) I work with kids who are anaphylatic to nuts.. so I have to becareful and I can’t bring stuff with nuts to work.
Michael on July 5, 2009 #
Woah, I applaud you immensely. The Boyfriend & I should really try this too, although we’re going to opposite sides of the country next year for college so I don’t know how long it would last. Really though, this is such an awesome idea, I hope you let us know how it goes!
Shen-Shen on July 5, 2009 #
It’s awesome that the two of you are working together to fix your eating habits. Sounds like you’re getting a pretty good deal on the fruit and veggies!
Rosemary on July 6, 2009 #
Ugh, I’m pretty much the exact same way. I live right in the heart of my city’s Little Italy, and ten minutes away from Chinatown, so there’s way too many temptations to just say fuck it and get takeaway or eat out.
I’ve made a similar goal, though, and I intend on cooking my every meal this week, save for my little “reward” next Sunday night for attempting to be frugal :P.
A on July 6, 2009 #
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