Huge Change in Budget for Food

We ate our only rarely pre-op and now even less frequently post-op, which saves money. In addition, I only tend to cook 5 nights a week instead of 7. I was always a food snob so bought high quality food. That hasn't changed, I just buy less of it.

My costs decreased, but I've also become more of a food snob at the same time. Convenience foods just don't come into the house anymore and I make most things from scratch. Even when my quantity of consumption is down, I still insist on quality, even more so these days.

I'm a simple eater. I eat chicken breasts, but I also augment my dogs kibble with chicken and broth, so its shared food! And I'm eating healthier foods. And I'm eating things I didn't eat earlier in my diet, like papaya, cantaloupe and avocado, as well as HB eggs.

What I spend on food has been cut by 75% or more. There are 3 of us. Hubby, mother and my self. I still buy huge hunks of meat, but package them completely differently. For example, I used to cook 3 slabs of ribs and we would polish them off in one sitting. Now, I cook 1 slab and there are left-overs.

My husband eats far less now because I make far less. I joke that I cook for two now and eat off their plates. In a way it is true though. I now make 2 delmonico steaks and just slice an ounce off each one. I eat the "slices" and they eat the remainder. I used to make 5 steaks and there would be no left overs.

I am, however, buying whatever I want. I never used to by smoked salmon as it was so expensive, but yesterday, bought 2 packages. One I will freeze and the other will take me a couple of weeks to eat so the cost is spread out over time. I am now buying better quality food in smaller portions. If I want lobster, I'm going to buy a lobster (not five).

Going out to eat has changed too. We never used to go out to eat unless it was an all you can eat place. Now, if I order a full meal, I take most of it home and it becomes 3 more meals. Or I order an appetizer and I still take more than half home. Gone are the days of ordering three appetizers, 3 full meals and not having any doggie bags.

Fast food is now a cheaper proposition as well (and now rarely happens). I order a single cheeseburger, no bun, no mayo, no catsup. I used to order 2 doubles loaded with cheese and bacon and a large fry or large onion ring. And eat it all. Sometimes, I would even order a third "little" sandwich to tide me over till we got home with it.

I look back and am SHOCKED at how much I would consume in one sitting.

Isn't it nice to have the restriction now? I have lost a total of 63 pounds, and I had my surgery at the end of July. I am so grateful to be rid of the fast food cravings. It's so strange...people bring in cookies, doughnuts, and other junk to work, and I have no desire. Half the time I can hardly finish the toddler portion I have doled out for myself on my mini-plate. It might take another 12 or more months to get to my goal, but I know I can stick to the plan without all the cravings and huge appetite of the past that sabotaged every fad diet I ever tried! Here's to us all for LIFE changes! BTW, the cholesterol dropped from 226 to 160 in 3 months; the LDL went from 147 to 107. The B-vitamin deficiencies and iron are back to normal levels with the bariatric vitamins. The only thing that hasn't budged is vitamin D--even with supplements, so they are increasing me to 5,000 IU's per day. I think I need more sun, and I live in the sunbelt.

I totally agree! Yes, the restriction is why I did this. Anyone can diet for a day or two, but what happens when you decide that it really is ok to go to that Chinese buffet? It's only one meal, right? Now, yeah, I can still go, but a teaspoon of this and a teaspoon of that and 2 shrimp and I'm full. I am so grateful for that physical restraint.

I'm happy to hear that your vitamin numbers are better. I know that I will also have to be on major supplements forever, but it is a small price to pay.

I am 6 years out. In general, I would say our grocery budget did not decline too much, but it is due to buying much higher quality food. Pre vsg it was tons of cheap fast food, cheap processed stuff, etc. Now it is pricey cuts of protein, organic everything, fresh veggies, etc. We do save on going out to eat most times, as I too just have some of his. Depends on him though, he can clean a plate so if he is on the hungrier side I just order separate. One thing for sure- I eat a whole lot better :)