Here’s What It Costs Natalie “Nadya” Suleman to Feed Her 14 Children
Natalie “Nadya” Suleman has a unique approach when it comes to grocery shopping for her 14 children at the local market.
“We often find a lot of items on sale. I manage my budget effectively, and we all eat very, very healthily,” Suleman, 49, shared exclusively with Us Weekly as she promoted Lifetime’s docuseries Confessions of Octomom. “I primarily concentrate on what matters — plant-based whole foods, fruits, and vegetables.”
Although she aims to avoid meat, dairy, and eggs, a recent episode of Confessions of Octomom showed her grocery total at Gelson’s was $366.94.
“I might spend that every other day,” she confessed to Us. “So, it averages to about $4,000 or $5,000 a month for groceries. But if we splurge and buy extras, we could easily hit $10,000 a month. Thanks to our budgeting, it’s about half that.”
Suleman gained public attention in 2009 after undergoing IVF and giving birth to octuplets. That year, she welcomed Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Jonah, Makai, Josiah, and Jeremiah. Additionally, she has six older children: Elijah (born in 2001), Amerah (born in 2002), Joshua (born in 2003), Aiden (born in 2005), and fraternal twins Calyssa and Caleb (born in 2006).
When asked about the most significant financial surprise she encountered while raising 14 children, Suleman quickly responded that it was groceries.
“It’s food, rent, bills, and repeat. Food, rent, bills,” she chuckled. “They grow, which means their food needs grow as well. In the beginning, I wasn’t spending a fraction of that. Now it’s more.”
Confessions of Octomom offers an intimate glimpse into Suleman’s life as her octuplets turn 16. While she has been out of the public eye for several years, the new Lifetime series aims to present a different viewpoint than what the world has previously seen.
Like many children, Suleman noted that her kids have experienced bullying due to growing up in the public sphere.
Through it all, the mom of 14 has created a safe environment where open and honest communication is not only encouraged but mandatory.
“There’s no topic we don’t discuss, and I’ve been very transparent about my past,” she stated. “There are no surprises, and I’m very open to hearing everything. They are very candid, and we hold family meetings to talk about any issue they want.”
After years of headlines that she claims didn’t reflect her family’s true story, Suleman hopes her reality TV journey will provide a more accurate portrayal of what happens within her home.
“I want [viewers to] not only grasp the truth of who we are as a family and how close-knit and strong our relationships are, but also to see our commitment to one another. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other,” Suleman shared. “I hope they can learn something valuable they can apply in their own lives.”
Confessions of Octomom airs on Lifetime on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET.
