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Poverty Pledge: The temptation of fast-food, low-nutrition options

Holly Alexandruk eats bean soup for supper again. The Global News reporter has taken the Poverty Pledge and is eating on $3.96 per day to get a taste of what life on income assistance is like. Holly Alexandruk / Global News

WINNIPEG — I can see the light at the end of the tunnel … less than two days to go.

I was getting tired of poached eggs and toast for breakfast, so today was scrambled eggs. Nice change, at least for a day.

My soup has managed to last so far; I think I will have enough for tonight and Friday’s dinner.

This pledge has me thinking about how hard it is to eat a balanced diet with such a strict budget.

READ MORE: Global News reporter Holly Alexandruk blogs about life on the Poverty Pledge.

I drove past a fast-food restaurant today and saw 10 pieces of chicken for $1.97. I thought to myself, what a great price for chicken. I am starting to see how easy it is for someone on a very tight budget to stop and get fast food for dinner, especially at that price.

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When shopping, it was cheaper to buy two bottles of pop than a carton of milk.

I’m starting to see how, even though I am eating three meals a day, I am not getting a proper balanced diet — and definitely not getting even close to hitting my goal of eating from all the food groups.

Dry toast and eggs for breakfast again, but to break the monotony, the eggs are scrambled on Thursday. The toast, as usual, is dry – butter is expensive. Holly Alexandruk / Global News

I didn’t realize how lucky so many of us are to have a well-balanced meal, not worrying if we can have a piece of fruit or vegetables, yogurt or a glass of milk with a meal.

Two more dinners to go, one more lunch and another breakfast.

Tomorrow I’ll be on the Morning News on Global Winnipeg to discuss my journey. Be sure to watch!

RELATED: What items make the best Food Bank donations?

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