The one thing I have noticed on this journey is that it is not cheap and not convenient to eat healthy and eat well.
As most will know, I live in Rotherham. Since I have lived here the town has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.
A few years ago Jamie Oliver focused his attention on the town and even opened a ministry of food here. The battle was to get the schools to produce healthy meals for our children and not Turkey Twizzlers day in day out.
Having been on this journey I can certainly see why we used to and many other rely on convenience food. It is cheap to buy and easy to make. Sam and I have full time jobs, Sam travels an hour each way to work and has her own business as well. I undertake a number of other things I am involved with, so spare time is something we don’t have much of.
It is easy to come in and stick something pre-made in the oven. To cook fresh every night is almost not possible. By the time we would sit down to eat it would be gone half past 8 and I don’t want to eat then. I just want to go to bed……….
What are trying to do is eat steamed food. Chicken, Veg etc. This means we can put it in and leave it, then microwave when we would like it. But it still takes preparation and time, something we have already established we don’t have much of spare
The flip side is that it is so expensive! I have been advised to have a shake in the morning consisting of fruit, protein, oats and other bits. I bet there must for £2-£3 worth of stuff in the pot. It tastes nice, and it is good for you but when you double it every day for 2 of us, its heading up £50 a week or £200 a month just on breakfast shakes. On top of this the cost of fresh veg and meat is far more than just buying convenience food. Its not affordable on an ongoing basis
I can understand why the NHS is at breaking point with obesity issues. It’s just so easy to think you are eating right but in fact your not. On top of this you hear stories that initiatives like RIO (Rotherham Institute of Obesity) are having their funding either cut or pulled completely. If great places like this are not around to educate people and help, then the situation is only going to get worse.
Listen, I know full well I used to be squarly in the eat crap, drink too much and not look after myself bracket. I am ashamed to say I have been to RIO and rejected their help as I though I knbew better. It took me 39 years to realise I needed to change my life and I am disgusted with myself for that. We have to educate people earlier.
Sorry for the rant but I understand why people are they way they are and live the way they live. It is easier and cheaper to be this way.
We try our best to be healthy and still live on a budget. Yes it does make your life a little busier and it will cost you more, but I would rather do this now and budget for it, and live to see my Grand Children grow up.
Until Next Time…
