Fresh & Healthy Food = More Expensive

Sad, but true.

I read and sometimes post over here - where there is a mix of old and new people trying 17dd.

One question that new people seem to post is about whether various types of pre-made or even processed foods are 'allowed' on the 17dd.  These range from deli meats to pre-cooked chicken and turey of various kinds.  The old hands on the board gently guide these folks in the right direction - away from those things - unless there is no other choices.

One of the features of 17dd that made it work well for me, is that it is a good fit for those that already enjoy cooking and experimenting with recipes.  I don't mind going to the grocery a lot and spending the time and money on food.  Not everyone has those luxuries, and it can be sad to read about others struggling.  For me, 17dd also fit with a desire to move as far as possible from processed foodstuffs in general.  Certainly one could lose weight eating that stuff, but I didn't want to, and still stay away as much as possible.

That said, i think it is undeniable that in this age of the 'Dollar Menu' that eating fresh, healthy food costs more in terms both of time and money. Lean meats cost more.  Fresh veggies are on a use or lose clock. For me, some of the additional costs have been offset by a radical reduction in restaurant spending, but overall, eating healthy costs more. Eating healthy on the 17dd costs even more, as it seems the American food economy is built around inexpensive but calorie rich carbohydrate foodstuffs.