After six years, I’m still surprised and inspired by you, our Healthy Food Guide readers.
Two weeks ago, when I asked how the price of milk was affecting you,
I expected you to complain that milk was outrageously priced; that it
was a conspiracy on the part of Fonterra; the government should do
something about it, etc etc.
I should have learned by now not to pre-judge!
Because instead of complaints, I received some wonderful stories
about the creative, practical ways you're getting on with it; making it
work even though milk is expensive; figuring out how to get that
essential dairy into your families' diets. In general, you're simply
not prepared to compromise on this.
Many readers echoed Elizabeth: “I buy milk – and cheese – anyway,
regardless of price. I think the calcium and protein is important. I
just reduce spending on something else like, for example, biscuits. I
try to bake these instead. Don’t mean to sound like a ‘goody two-shoes’
but I never buy carbonated soft drinks. These are just a waste of
money, having no nutritional value whatsoever.”
I loved this too, from Debbe, which perfectly sums up a healthy
attitude: “I personally don't know how the dollar value for milk is
made up but I do know that with four children still in the house, milk
is a big part of our diet. I believe we need it and I'm not about to
change our habits when it comes to something so important.
“We are on a low income. We do have the odd soft drinks in the house
but I still always make sure that we have milk, yoghurt, fruit and
veges. We don't go out, don't smoke, don't drink (well, not often) and
we have no social life. But we made the choice to have children and
they are our life, and as such we do what we feel is best for them.
Yes, it’s hard sometimes, I'd love to be able to go out for dinner
sometimes or see a movie, but it's all about priorities.”
Quite a few of you told me you use milk powder now, which sounds
like it has come a long way since the last time I tried it! Mel says:
“If you make it up with cold water, it’s ready to drink instantly. More
importantly, there isn't any powdery taste or gritty residue – I guess
the technology has changed over the years. The most important thing for
us is that it is $11.15 per 1 kg bag. So milk works out at $1.11 per
litre – less than half the price of fresh.”
We’ll be featuring more of your clever tips in upcoming issues of Healthy Food Guide magazine. In the meantime, give yourselves a big pat on the back; you’re doing great.
- http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/articles/searchcategories?vocabulary_name=hfm.categories.foodandnutrients&catalog_index=foodandnutrients_categories&vocabulary_term=dairyproducts
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