Introduction:
Recently, popular YouTuber “Trinbago Vibes” undertook a challenge “Surviving on $100 for 1 Week in Trinidad and Tobago” which has garnered over 173K views as of publishing. This challenge aimed to test the limits of living on a restricted budget by focusing solely on food costs. However, while the challenge may seem intriguing at first, it raises significant concerns regarding the quality of food and long-term sustainability for a healthy lifestyle.
The Challenge Details:
Trinbago Vibes embarked on a week-long journey, starting from Monday to Friday, where the primary focus was on minimizing food expenses. It’s important to note that other costs, such as fuel, electricity, and other utilities, were not taken into consideration to maintain the integrity of the challenge.
Throughout the week, the YouTuber made several food purchases, including popular local dishes such as doubles, triples, chicken roti, and pholourie. However, opting for ready-made food significantly depleted the available funds since buying meals is considerably more expensive than preparing them at home.
Food Expenses:
The specific prices for the ready-made food items purchased during the challenge were as follows:
– Chicken Roti: $15 TT for one
– Doubles: $6 TT for one
– Triples: $7 TT for one
– Pholourie: $7 TT for nine
Homemade meals, on the other hand, comprised simple and cost-effective options such as plain oats, peanut butter, sausage, and butter bread. Lunch consisted of peanut butter and bread, while breakfast and dinner consisted of plain oats without any additives like milk or sweeteners.
Water consumption was restricted to pipe water only, with no additional costs incurred for bottled water or other beverages.
The Sustainability and Health Concerns:
While Trinbago Vibes managed to barely complete the challenge within the allocated budget, it is crucial to address the implications of such a restricted diet on long-term health and overall well-being.
The lack of fresh foods, including vegetables and fruits, throughout the challenge, is concerning since they are essential components of a healthy lifestyle.
By predominantly relying on inexpensive and often processed food options, the challenge raised questions about the nutritional adequacy and sustainability of such a diet. Health professionals would undoubtedly advise against sustained reliance on such low-cost and low-nutrient meals, as it may lead to undernourishment and various associated health problems.
Conclusion:
It is essential to prioritize the consumption of fresh foods, including vegetables and fruits, for a well-rounded and nourishing diet. A healthy lifestyle is not just about the quantity of food but also the quality and nutritional content. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional guidance when it comes to meal planning and budgeting to ensure a sustainable and wholesome approach to food consumption.
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