Even Kraft Mac and Cheese is a rip-off. You can buy the equivalent bright orange cheezy powder and plain macaroni in bulk for a tiny fraction of the Kraft per serving cost. My husband is overly fond of that orange powder and the crappy mac and cheese it makes, and so we still buy the day-glow powder in bulk, and it is like $2 or $3 a pound - probably the equivalent of the powder in at least 60 or more boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese (as he is eating better too, we probably have a lifetime supply). We also refuse to pay more than 49 cents per pound of pasta, and usually can find it for about 19 cents by shopping at Big Lots and a similar private overstock store, so that means that it only costs about 20 cents for the equivalent of a box of mac and cheese.

Originally Posted by Jelbb:
And... as a broke college student? Lean cuisine meals cost like.. $2.99-3.99. I can buy a whole bag of pasta, and a jar of pasta sauce, and a big bag of frozen veggies for less than 3 of those, and that makes more than 3 meals, lemme tell you. :D Pre-packaged is totally a rip-off cost-wise. Unless you're buying Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, to which I say, you're paying 80 cents for something with absolutely no nutritional value, and a LOT of calories.

Agree, agree, agree!

I can go buy around 1.50 pounds of lean 4% ground beef for about $7-$8 plus a package of whole wheat noodles for $5 plus two cans of tomato sauce for $0.50 apiece and add in my own spices to make a delicious and healthy hotdish or amazing sphagetti that will give me around 6 servings, all for around $15 for a cost of less than $3 a meal. I'd say that's WAY better than anything pre-packaged and way cheaper.

The problem with those foods is the sodium and the preservatives.

Do not kid yourself, the sodium doesn't just cause tight rings and a bloated belly. Sodium is hard on the kidneys, it causes the heart to have to work harder and while you may not notice the effects of the chemicals and sodium while you are young, you will certianly feel them as you age.

A nutritional intake with lots of fresh, brightly colored foods, and lots of water is your best gift you can give yourself. The cost of fresh food versus frozen dinners is a moot point. They aren't any cheaper, but if convienence is an issue, then that's a sacrifice that you have to conciously make.

Personally, I do both. I do eat some pre-packaged stuff but then I make a lot of my own stuff, too! Like for lunch I eat a lean pocket, lean cuisine, or can of progresso lite soup and then for dinner I make a home made meal (it's mainly always tofu or chicken with brown rice or black beans). If it were up to me, though, I'd eat fresh all the time. Pre-packaged foods pale in comparison to fresh foods!

It's just a lot harder because I am only 18 years old and still live at home. I don't make enough money to constantly buy my own groceries so I just appreciate and eat whatever my mother buys me. Which is a lot of pre-packaged goods.