Conference rocks::weight_control

I also found that my food bill was extortionate after I began healthy 
eating.  There's really not much that I can suggest other than to 
compare the relative benefits of each.  After two or three years now,
my food bills are still quite high.  A friend and I did a comparison; 
she eat's tons of junkie stuff and I eat tons of fruit and fresh 
vegetables.  The basic ratios of 4:3 (80:60) is about what we saw.  I
have decided that this is the price I'll pay since I've not got the 
time or the inclination to grow my own fresh produce.  An apple tree
might be nice but beyond that, forget it.  The one thing I have found
is that most healthy food can be purchased from a regular grocery store.
I rarely have to resort to "health food" chains or shops.  That's 
where the money really burns. 

       Well one thing to watch, is how many "fresh veggies" you buy at a 
    given time. Remember the idea, and extra expense of buying them is
    that they're "fresh". I realized 3, or 4 weeks into dieting "again":^(
    that I was having to throw away some veggies every week due to them
    not being so fresh anymore. Now I only buy enough for the next three,
    or four days. If I have to stop on the way home from work a few 
    extra times a weeks, so what. At least my "fresh" vegetables will be
    fresh.
    
    John

    I agree with you John, sometimes I DO end up throwing away lettuce,
    peppers, etc. because they go bad.
    
    Well I'm starting to clip coupons now for various items, and even
    if it just saves me a few bucks I'll be happy.  I'm really going
    to start making an extra effort to look at everything I put into
    my shopping cart and compare prices.  But hey, if the price of
    losing weight and feeling great means spending alittle more at
    the supermarket, I'll do it.  I'm just gonna try to become a
    "smart shopper".
    
    Linda
    

    The W. W. products are what is making your bill creep up.  Perhaps
    limit yourself to two pkgs per week.  We get so compulsive to
    make sure we have all the right things when we first begin we
    tend to buy all the goodies.  I buy pineapple chunks to use as
    a fruit and a can for 89/99 cents gives 4 fruits I believe.
    I look at fruit as my replacement for junk food so I don't
    mind spending a little extra on me!  
    
    Desserts...diet jello, prepare with hot water called for then
    8oz plain yogut whipped in about 1/2 to 1 hour after setting
    then let set a while longer.  You can eat the whole thing..
    It's milk and 8 add. calories.  It's pretty good and I bet
    you can't eat the whole thing in one sitting.
    
    1/2C yogut with 1 tsp. vanilla 1 pk sweet and low mix together
    serve with fruit (banana's, apples, strawberries, pears are best).
    It's a dessert or a dip.
    
    Good luck. Hope it helps to cut your budget a little.
    

  Interesting....my shopping list hasn't really changed since starting WW.
As a matter of fact, I'm probably spending a little less, since we now go
through less hamburger or chicken in a single meal!

  But, then again, I've never been a fan of prepared foods, and I never will
be!

--Sharon

    
    Absolutely!
    
    I just started back on WW -> this is Week #2; Level #1.
    I began WW in 1980 after college and lost all my weight.  However,
    since I've had my two daughters, I've never returned to goal weight.
    (6 years!)
    Am very "Up" to stick to program this time and have found that a good
    variety of food selections tends to make me loose at a faster rate.
    But, in shopiing over the last two weeks I've absolutely increased my
    grocery budget by at least $20.00.
    
    Am clipping the coupons, but also note that I'm saving $$$ by not going
    out to luncj as often as I had prior to rejoining WW.  I'd drop at
    least $5 - $7.00 a day doing this.
    
    So, by brown bagging, coupon clipping etc. I think It may balance out.
    
    P.S. Level 1 is killing me!
    (Not enough protein)
    
    Judy
    
    

    Most veg is available in frozen form - peppers, mushrooms, peas,
    broccolli are all available and if you buy 'em that way there's very
    little extra expenditure.
    
    When I dieted I strove to keep clear of fad foods that cost lots, stick
    to the basics and your expenditure shouldn't rise.
    
    	- andy

    I agree Judy.  I didn't even think to take into consideration
    that now I bring my lunch to work every day INSTEAD of buying
    it.  That saves ME money, but brings my food shopping bill up.
    
    Oh well, I'm just gonna bite the bullet on this one -- it's worth
    every penny to feel great.  Also, I've been limiting myself
    on some of the "extras" (ww muffins, desserts) -- just buying
    1 a week.
    
    Judy -- use your floaters for extra protein!!!!! It helps!
    
    Linda