

Sure the staples are pretty easy, but a head of iceburg is a dollar while all the stuff with some nutritional value costs $3 for less per pound.
Going to the store with produce that isn’t already half dead, so it will last the whole week costs more.
Going the store multiple times a week for fresh produce costs more in gas and time (and “extra” buying). I end up with lots of fresh meals at the start of the week, but towards the end its all frozen or canned vegetables, which is a lot of salt.
Buying the juice, or any snack, not full of high-fructose corn syrup costs more.
Fresh bakery bread costs $5+, while a loafs cost $1-2. A loaf of wheat or multi-grain bread costs around $3.
It all adds up, and yes I am lazy.








Everyone’s essentials will differ, for me it its things like canned veggies, jarred sauce, frozen veggies, canned soup - basically easy meals or sides to easily make dinner after work.
Yes, most of that is healthier than a TV dinner, but fresh is still better (and tastier).
I could learn to can or pickle my own, but that’s not with out its own difficulties.