Downshifting bad for your health ?

Cornishpixie_2

I don't think value/sp/basics are actually of much value.(IFYSWIM). I do buy basic oats and supermarket branded cereals. I would rather use better quality stuff and make it go further. I buy meat, veg and fruit locally. But if you have the time its better and cheaper to make things from scratch, like HM burgers, meatballs, quiche and pizza/pizza pie. All seem to go far and you can freeze. I think also if eating a lot of ready meals/cheappie products it makes you feel sluggish.:)

LeeSouthEast

I find for "cupboard" stuff that the value things are the best for you! Next time, compare side-by-side "Brand name" plum/chopped tomatoes, downshift tomatoes and "value" tomatoes. You'll find that the cheapest ones contain basically, just tomatoes! No salt, no sugar.. no funny business. The same cannot be said for the brand names...

1carminestocky

Beef mince is a good one. We have friends who buy the most expensive beef mince on account of its reduced fat content, then make a shepherds pie by simply cooking the mince without draining the fat away! Err, what's the point of buying less fat mince if you don't drain away the excess fat? IME even the most expensive beef has some awful residue when cooking it.

Quasar

Downshifting shouldn't mean indiscriminate saving just because stuff is "cheap". Food in particular needs to meet a minimum standard before it becomes positively harmful to health and no moneysaving is worth that.

Eating a bit less but ensuring food is fresh and good quality is better, methinks.

Plushchris

I never buy any meat from supermarkets now, all our meat is bought from a local butchers or straight from the farm ( http://www.farmerpalmermeats.co.uk/ ), we drive past the fields the animals are in on our way to work.

People that think buying meat this way is expensive should think again, beef mince for example is around the same price as supermarket mince but doesnt give out anywhere near the amount of crap when cooked as supermarket mince and tastes FAR better, we made some homemade burgers the other night and they tasted like eating steak.

The farmshop we get our eggs from sells eggs (free range) laid that morning by chickens you can see wandering around the yard for £1.85 a dozen. I would rather go without than buy eggs elsewhere now.

Sure you CAN get stuff cheaper in supermarkets, leaving the ethical arguement well alone, buying fresh food without additives must be better for you.

TurkishDelight

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Eggs I choose corn-fed or omega-enriched as I know the birds are not fed dead animal. :eek: Or keep your own chickens - when I was a child my parents had them in the back garden of a semi, as did my grandparents before them.

Then you should know that chickens will eat anything, especially slugs and snails. They're not veggie, contrary to popular belief. Also... how do you think they get omega into eggs?
Maybe not all brands but I'll give you a clue, fish are also rich in omega oils

MrsE_2

Fire_Fox wrote: »

As a nation we eat far more meat than is necessary for good health (no I am not a veggie); in excess it can overload the kidneys, liver, heart and even contribute to some forms of cancer. We don't eat anywhere near enough pulses, nuts/ seeds or wholegrains which are generally reasonably priced. :T

I try & have one veggie night a week, because I totally agree we eat to much meat.

I never buy turkey mince & I don't eat white (uncured) pork, I eat small amounts of smoked (cured) bacon & heavily spiced premium sausages, but the smell of white pork cooking makes me feel ill:o Think we have a touch of Jewish in us:D

I try & have one veggie & one fish night & beef or lamb only twice & chicken on the other three.

DON79

I tend to buy cheaper basics like rice, porridge oats, pasta, chicken breasts, chopped tinned tomatoes etc.

OH has to have his coffee! :rolleyes: but I very rarely buy branded items, usually stores own brand or smart price/value - I leave that to the OH who gets sucked in by gimmicks and advertising latest buy today was Cillit Bang cleaner & degreaser for £3+ because it really works apparently (I am sure it is good but I just don't buy brand names)

olly300

DON79 wrote: »

OH has to have his coffee! :rolleyes:

Actually different coffees do taste different.

I've tried to find a cheaper branded coffee to drink but it doesn't work as I dislike the taste. Instead I bulk buy when it's reduced.

Princess_Coupon

olly300 wrote: »

Actually different coffees do taste different.

I've tried to find a cheaper branded coffee to drink but it doesn't work as I dislike the taste. Instead I bulk buy when it's reduced.

I agree one thing you can't downshift is coffee.
Does anyone buy the value coffee?