#because all i ate was a pack of belvita

[extrastrengthvirgin]

friendly reminder not to skip meals. senshi dungeonmeshi himself told me he wanted you to eat three good meals per day

[husc2000]

Food Diary & Final Reflection

Sunday

Breakfast- cinnamon roll and chocolate milk (1.20)

Lunch- tortellini soup (1.55)

Dinner- Grilled chicken (1.25)

Snacks- chex mix (.35), fruit snacks (.20) hot chocolate (.10),

$4.65

  Monday

Breakfast-Chocolate Chip Muffin (.75)

Lunch/Dinner - roast beef sandwich (1.50), cheetos (.30), cookie (.25), fruit snack (.20)

$3.00

  Tuesday

Breakfast- Belvita (.50)

Lunch- pulled pork sandwich & mac n cheese (8.23)

Dinner- Chicken Noodle Soup ($1), Cookie (.25)

$9.98

  Wednesday

Breakfast- Chocolate Chip Muffin (.75)

Lunch- Roast beef sandwich ($1.50) and chips (.30)

Dinner-2 Potato Skins (.70) and tortellini soup (1.55)

Snack while studying: cookies (.35)

$5.15

  Thursday

Breakfast- Belvita (.50)

Lunch- coffee and half a bagel provided in class (thank you!), cheetos (.30)

Dinner- Chicken Noodle Soup ($1) and salad ($1.25)

Snacks- Fruit Snack (.20)

$3.25

Friday

Breakfast- Belvita (.50)

Lunch- Tortellini Soup (1.55)

Dinner- Roast Beef sandwich (1.50) and mashed potatoes (.50)

Snacks- cookie (.25), Dr. Pepper (.40)

$4.70

  Total → $30.73

  Participating in the SNAP challenge this past week has made me realize how much I take for granted everyday. I never realized just how expensive meals were on campus or how much I spend eating out because I am too tired or busy to cook. On the third day of the challenge, I forgot to pack myself a lunch and I have four classes that day. Because I have been sick and not feeling well, I decided it was best to buy a meal on campus that day. If I have would not have bought that meal, I have no idea how I would have had the brainpower to make it through the day. I can’t imagine how people, especially children and students, successfully learn and grow at school without the proper nourishment. I also learned how much I love to snack when I am stressed or tired.There were multiple times a day that I was really tempted to snack. I found that if I was studying at the library or student center, I couldn’t just buy a $2-3 snack and coffee. That is almost a whole day's worth of food on SNAP! After this challenge, I also learned that it is extremely hard to eat healthy, balanced meals. I am usually terrible at making sure fruits and vegetables are in my diet, and this week made it even harder. The only relatively healthy thing I ate this week was a salad, five days into the challenge.

  Throughout the week, I also realized that I was very fortunate because my roommate and I share virtually all our food. We grocery shop together, split our purchases almost evenly and are able to make a few decent meals together each week. So, a week’s worth of groceries that would cost us $40 only costs us $20 each because we share the expense. Therefore, we were able to make a hearty homemade tortellini soup, potato skins, and roast beef sandwiches. I also realized that I have a lot of extra food in my kitchen, because I stock up on food when it is on sale. For example, I have two packages of chicken in my freezer that I got at Kroger when it was very cheap and I then I can cook it whenever I need a meal. I realize that this really helped me this week because I could just calculate food prices that I already initially purchased, and didn’t have to buy a ton of new food at the store. I now see that it is a privilege to make bulk purchases of food when it is on sale instead of having to start fresh every single week with $27. It takes a lot of planning to see what is on sale, go to a few stores for the best prices, and use coupons. That time is a luxury that most people on SNAP do not have; they cannot always plan ahead and buy food that is on sale in bulk. I am really glad I participated in the SNAP challenge this past week because it honestly opened my eyes to luxuries and privileges that I had no idea that I had. I am more aware of what I am putting into my body and how it is able to fuel me throughout the day. I have a new appreciation for people who stretch their SNAP money to feed themselves and their families.

 Jackie Goff