For those who think that eating for $50 a week is too expensive.
Here is something that might be more in your price range – $1 a day.
A couple of social justice teachers decided to live off of $1 a day since many people in the world do it. For a month long experiment, they set up rules for themselves and a budget. Meals for a day would cost no more than a dollar. No free food or donated food unless it was available to everyone.
They had a vegetarian diet and for those who do like meat, even in moderation, it is difficult to buy meat for $1 a serving.
Eating for a dollar a meal is challenging enough, but a day? The couple does acknowledge that their experiment wasn’t exactly the healthiest because they couldn’t always get fresh vegetables and produce.
The experiment highlights that number of people in the world who must survive on a dollar a day or less. The quality and amount of food that people can consume for 100 pennies isn’t always the healthiest.
Prior to this experiment, the couple said they were spending about $56 a person for food a week and that after their experiment they have become more aware of their eating habits. Even for $50 a person a week, buying fresh produce, seafood and meat is difficult.
Creative budgeting and spending very little for meals is an issue that many face in this country. Especially when faced with dollar value and 99¢ meals eating healthy is something that is a challenge.
For a person who is not experimenting a dollar a meal could be possible and still have a healthy meal. Dining out would not be an option on a dollar a day diet, even on a dollar a meal dining out would be a challenge. Buying in bulk, and shopping the sales can also help, but also being aware of portion size and snacking less. A couple of commenters mentioned that if the challenge was to eat for a month for $30 that would give more leeway and then also allow buying more expensive items that could be split among several meals – such a chicken or roast. The couple admits that they did lose weight on this experiment and have a book chronicling their experiences due out next year.
Could you really cut your grocery bill to $1 a day and be healthy?
