Diary: Monday
Porridge for breakfast today and every day. Some people have asked – what’s wrong with that? Well, the answer is nothing. I eat porridge sometimes anyway. But, when you’re pregnant you’re meant to have cereals fortified with vitamins and iron and that’s five times more expensive. And if you’re suffering from morning sickness – is porridge very appetising?
This morning I did the weekly shop. The list and cost are on this website. Several things struck me: first, lots of the special offers are for large quantities (2 for 1, extra large packs etc..) and if you’re single you can’t take advantage of that (pensioners complain of the same problem). I guess not many people on Income Support have a freezer, so you can’t store things either. This also means each week your menu is a bit repetitive so it’s mince all this week, or chicken all next week. Another thing people say is you should shop around – well, up to a point. But if you don’t live near a cheap shop and you don’t have a car, you’re dependant on the bus so that means more on bus fares and it may not be a real saving in the end.
Lunch
By lunchtime I’m really hungry. I have a fried egg and two slices of toast, a banana, a biscuit and a cup of tea.
Supper
I cook all the mince with some carrots, onion and the tin of tomatoes. I eat some of it with pasta and a glass of tap water. A cup of tea.
Total calories: Porridge 300
Egg and toast 400
Banana 60
Biscuit 70
Mince 200
Pasta 300
Total 1330 (of 2000 recommended)
Fruit and veg: 3 portions (of 5 recommended)
Go to Tuesday
