How are you dealing with Food inflation for the last 7 years when trying to lose weight

[rockydino]

TLDR; In 2017 I was fit, healthy, recovering from binge E.D, high carb and losing weight while spending $75 a week for one person. How do I function and lose weight with the inflation and having to buy specific brands because of my partners allergy?

I've gained a lot of weight over the last few years because of a new relationship, then career stress, then COVID happened and it's still happening for us because my partner is immunocompromised.

I want to lose the weight and maintain a healthy weight.

I'm 5'7" (170 cm)

and currently 200 lbs or (91 kg).

My ideal weight would be 140 lbs or (64 kg).

Background:

My partner has a terrible allergy to corn. In the U.S. corn byproducts are on or in a lot of products. Fruits and veggies are safe for the most part because we've found safe suppliers.

My partner and I have been vegan for 6 and 8 years, respectively.

When I lived alone from 2016-2018, I spent $75 USD every week on food. I was high carb low fat and lost 30+ lbs (14 kg) eating this way. Eating like this really helped me heal from my binge starve eating disorder.

I was eating oatmeal and or smoothies for breakfast. A veggie burger wrap and fruit for lunch, and some kind of veggie + rice or potato for dinner. I had ample snacks of fruits, dates, homemade baked good (no oil). And I was my lowest weight and fit.

Now that I live with my partner, I want to eat the same way, but the price for food has gone up so much and I can't price-shop anymore because of my partners allergies (we get specific safe brands).

The feeling of food scarcity has triggered my eating disorder for the past few years and is the reason why I've gained the weight. ----When I feel food scarcity it makes me want to not eat as long as I possibly can, and then I end up binging on HIGH saturated fat foods.---

I am a bulk eater and my partner is a grazer. They can eat a bag of chips and feel full because of the calorie content, where as I need fiber and water to feel full.

I've started a new job that will pay me enough to cover all of my living expenses but I won't get my first paycheck for another 2.5 weeks.

 

[chefdoodle]

@rockydino Food bank. That’s what I do and that’s what they’re there for.

 

[barbiegorl]

@chefdoodle What is it like to go to the food bank as a vegan?

 

[chefdoodle]

@barbiegorl I’m guessing it’s the same for non-vegans. I just tell them I’m vegan and they do their best to provide foods that are vegan. Sometimes they make mistakes, so now I have a small collection of boxed mac and cheese that I can give to others in need. I also got canned chicken once and gave it to the cats that live by my home.

 

[pddan]

@rockydino You don’t have to eat the same foods as your partner. You can budget shop for you and get the allergy safe foods for them

 

[jacaroo]

@pddan This was a hard lesson I had to learn. My partner had IBS and was a really picky eater. It is definitely easier to just eat whatever your partner is eating, but it is not required. A 220 lbs powerlifter will eat different foods than a 100 lbs sickly woman. It is more work, but it is worth it.

 

[marionsantiago]

@rockydino Whole foods plant based diet. Cut out the highly processed vegan foods. I spend about $40-$50 a week for one person. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, rice, carrots, broccoli, etc. are all super cheap. Lots of resources online Dr. Barnard, Dr. Greger, Dr. McDougall, and you have some recipe and advice YouTubers like Well Your World.

 

[jpipkins]

@rockydino Focus on beans, legumes, and rice. Buy the bean and legumes dried, and prep yourself. Focus on brown rice. It's higher in fiber and nutrients and has better flavor. Also, it's cost-effective when buying everything bulk. You will get all the necessary amino acids, and many cultures around the world make this the majority of their diet.

Add frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables are flash frozen when picked once ripe. They're high in nutrients and easy to add into meal bowls and tend to also be cost-effective.