healthy food... or money?

Hey...not too many things in life are free theses days. Ok, Ok, so the nursing home meal isn't the most "healthyist" choice...so what? It's free isn't it? And aren't you trying to save every penny you've got, as you say you are? The body will adjust and compensate for the "one" meal. You can STILL be frugal in that regard. It's NOT going to throw your system "out of wack". As a matter of fact, it's probably good for you to "splurge" once in a while, even if it is only once a day. You're saving money, and at least, YOU didn't have to prepare it! You can always bring in your own lunch from time to time. But it's only wise to take advantage of the FREE choices, one is offered in these troubled economic times. Don't worry about it... you'll be fine. It's better than going hungry. cdrxo

i go for money because i can still buy the healthy food i want. I mean if choose healthy food, i still need money to buy it, right? So, yes i go for money.

We spend more money to buy healthier food. There's a lot of unhealthy food that i could eat for free and cut down on our costs, but I don't. It depends if you can afford it though. If you can, I'd bring my own food.

Maybe you can get the free meal and bring food which is healthy to supplement the unhealthy ones. Please do not throw away the graces on the table because as we all know, many people need food. If you think the free meal really can't make you healthy, why not give it to those who are in dire need for food. In that sense, you can help other people without wasting anything. Have nice day.

You have start thinking that what to not to do just for a meal. Health is very important than any thing. You are in right condition to take decision to have your own food which is health for you body condition as it prescribed for your health. Better You have your own lunch than provided.

Maybe you can choose to go to nursing home every other day instead of everyday. In other days, you can prepare real meals to keep your body healthy.

Choosing the free lunch at the expense of one's health is a poor choice, I guess. It doesn't cost must to bring your own lunch anyway. LOL have fun

Why don't you make the healthy choice some days and other days eat lunch for free. I think that you can always alternate your choices that are the most beneficial for you that day. I like to be able to choose what I want to do on the particular day tht I feel like doing it.

Hi, mac I do not think it's good for you to sacrifice a healthy lunch for a little money. I think you can still save by not buying and bringing your lunch instead. As for me, I have learned to save money on clothes and other things, but I strive to make healthy choices with food. Take care!

Hi maclinglinger, if you are eating healthily the rest of the time then save money where you can. Surely the food can't be that bad in a nursing home nutrition wise? If you don't mind the taste of what they serve then have some of it and take along a bag of sliced carrots or celery to mucnh on while you are there.

Healthy meals are better for you in the long run. I truly understand saving the money especially in these times but health is more important. What I use to do when I was working, I would bring my lunch to work. It would usually be leftovers from my dinner the night before.

Money and health are always relative tightly, free meal is good, if it's nutrition, and can save money. so I think you can eat some free meal and bring your lunch sometimes, so you can save your money at the same time you won't lose your heath.

hello macdingoliner, I think no matter what, healthy is more important than money, I have a colleague, who is very very thin, but she insist not to have lunch at the afternoon, kind of saving money or so... I hope is is okay in tackling hungry, she is so think that I am afraid she will been blow away when there's larger wind.

hi mac ,in my opinion ,eating unhealthy food is not a bright choice ,maybe you keep to have unhealthy lunch ,one day you will spent much money on you health care.but if the good could not influence your health ,it's ok .

I realize this conversation is really old.. and by now you've made your decision.. however.. What exactly is so unhealthy about this free meal? Is it overly processed type junk or is it just not as healthy as you'd make for yourself, such as it's covered in gravy and probably salt added, etc etc? For me it would depend on your current health concerns. Are you currently overweight and attempting to lose weight? Do you have dietary needs such as no salt or are you diabetic? I'm perfectly healthy aside from having just been obese and losing 75 pounds. I'm now to a point where I'm maintaining my weight, so I still need to watch what I eat for the most part.. but that doesn't mean I'm extremely strict with my diet. I love food, always have, always will.. which is why I was obese. I will not deny myself yummy treats anymore.. but I will continue to work towards moderation, small servings, and eating healthier as often as I can. So, in your situation.. I personally would save the money and eat the free meal. Lunch is not really a make or break meal.. you've got all afternoon to burn off the calories you consumed, and you can make up for it by having a healthier breakfast and dinner on those days. If it truly bothers you that much, then bring your lunch a couple times a week, then eat the free lunch on the other days so you're at least saving some money.