If you’ve ever wondered why your weekly food bill seems to have skyrocketed since a teenager joined your household, you’re not alone. I’ve recently experienced this firsthand, and let me tell you, feeding a teenager can make even the most budget-conscious adult’s wallet weep.
I’ve adhered to a 90/10 whole food diet in recent years—mostly fruits, vegetables, and meat, with the occasional indulgence. I stick to water throughout the day and a single coffee in the morning. There’s a common misconception that whole food diets are expensive, but in reality, feeding just one person on this plan is quite affordable. A weekly shop of fresh produce and quality meats doesn’t break the bank. But when my 16-year-old daughter moved in, I discovered that my weekly food bill has more than tripled. The reason? Snacks. It turns out teenagers have an almost magical ability to turn everyday groceries into an expensive extravaganza of crisps, chocolate, sweets, and fizzy drinks. And let’s face it, they’re not exactly keen on trading these for a bowl of fruit. Despite my best efforts to encourage healthy eating, teens will be teens. My daughter prefers sticking to just two or three variations of meals she likes, and those meals are often quite different from my own. The occasional splurge on snacks is inevitable, but the cost is staggering. Crisps seem to come with a luxury price tag, and those small packets of sweets add up faster than you’d think. It’s like the snack industry is in on a well-kept secret: make treats pricey, and teens will keep coming back for more. I remember my own teenage years vividly. Fruit and vegetables were not exactly at the top of my wish list. I was more inclined to reach for a chocolate bar than a piece of fruit. As much as I advocate for healthy eating now, I have to admit that taste buds do evolve. What seems like a healthy choice today might not have been so appealing in my own teenage years. It makes you wonder: are retailers deliberately pricing treats high to cash in on this very stage of life? Perhaps they know that as teenagers discover their own tastes, their love for snacks will never truly wane, and the cost of those cravings will keep rising. In the end, it’s all part of the fun (and expense) of parenting a teenager. As long as my daughter is happy and healthy, I’m willing to foot the bill for her favourite treats. Here’s to navigating the costs of teenage cravings with a smile (and a slightly lighter wallet). Comments are closed.
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