I can't afford to buy the right food...

jodi_fletch

I'm in a financial crisis at the moment. I have two children and a partner and it's easier for me to grab a cheap pizza or frozen fish fingers.....
It's not good for me but I just can't afford to buy more. Could I have my portions and work out more?

rybo

Rice, beans, tuna, frozen vegetables, and sales make eating well not as expensive as many people think.

jodi_fletch

I do like rice but I never know what to put it with

sheldonklein

Nothing bad about cheap pizza, except they don't taste that great. However you certainly can afford to supplement it with some frozen vegetables or some homemade soup. It's just not true that it's expensive to eat a healthful balanced diet. You don't need to eat free range arugala

DemoraFairy

Even if you have to buy the cheaper, unhealthier stuff, you should still be able to stick to your calories. I have the opposite problem - I stuck to my calorie goal at uni by eating microwave meals all the time, it was easy. Now my boyfriend wants to cook properly and every home-cooked meal seems to be twice the calories of its microwave equivalent!

Cereal_Snacker

Google cheap healthy recipes you get lots of inspiration http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/cheap-and-healthy

Springfield1970

Go to an ethnic store and buy veg and lentils there. Channa dhal is cheap and nutritious, as are black beans which you soak overnight and boil for an hour. Add coriander leaves, limes, chili, oil, salt, red onion. Incredible. Processed and ready made foods are way more expensive. Go to Iceland and get the deals on frozen fish and meat.

workout_ninja

rice is cheap, pasta is cheap. you could make curries, bolognese - when i make mine, they are about 550 calories per portion. frozen veggies are the way to go - i always have them and i make a big pot of homemade soup every week for my lunches with chickpeas and broth in it so its filling. You just have to educate yourself on what to cook and how to cook it and get the family on board with eating better meals. Its actually more expensive for me to eat frozen pizzas and fish fingers since most of the stuff i make, i buy in 1kg packages so it lasts for ages.

Laurend224

Dried beans, lentils, and split peas will take you far. They are inexpensive, healthy, and very filling. Make soups, you can use cheaper cuts of meat and no one will notice.
Having a limited budget is not an excuse to eat badly, most of the convenience foods are more expensive than buying ingredients to put a simple meal together.

That said, there is nothing wrong with pizza and fish sticks if you like them. You can fit them into your diet, and eating less is ALWAYS cheaper.

kaylaaah88

Agreed with the frozen veggies. Eggs and banana are cheap also. I eat eggs as a source of protein all the time. Fast and easy. I saute some frozen veggies, preferably a stir fry blend, and then scramble some eggs in. Delish. One of my favorite cheap fresh veggies is cabbage. Sauteed as a side with some garlic, salt and pepper. Very few calories and a little goes a long way.

chivalryder

Soylent!

http://www.soylent.me/

I made a DIY recipe of Soylent that's going to cost me less than $150/month.

mhausler93

As others have said, frozen veggies, pasta, rice, beans are all inexpensive. You can also buy the frozen bags of chicken and have a few meals from one bag for about $

We have a local butcher here and we always buy our meat from him. Two weekends ago we bought 20 pounds of meat (chicken, ground sirloin, roast, bacon, etc.) and it was only about $65. We still have another 2 weeks or so of that meat left. Maybe see if you can find similar deals at a local butcher?

laddyboy

I saved thousand of $$$ by eating healthy. I no longer have to buy sleep apnea supplies or medications. With that being said you can save loads of money using coupons. Buy the Sunday Paper with all those ads and clip those coupons. You can do it.

elphie754

I just went to the store yesterday and store brand steam in the bag veggies were $ .89. One bag is 4 servings. So that is four servings of veggies for under a dollar. I don't eat fish sticks, but they are what 2-3 dollars for how many servings?

You just need to shop smart. Buy frozen veggies in bulk when on sale. Buy fruits and veggies that are on sale for that week. Look for the "butcher" deal of the week on chicken and other meats.

Teach your kids healthy habits now, so that they grow up with them.

elphie754

Also, I don't know how old your children are, or what you financial situation is, but you could see if you qualify for WIC benefits (women, infants, children under 5). If you do, you get money for certain foods per week (usually milk and other produce). Something to think about if you need it.

Laurend224

Do you have an Aldi nearby? They always have the cheapest prices in my area.

summerprize

Hi Jodi-fletch, I too am on a very tight budget but I make virtually everything myself and I don't spend hours cooking. Mostly I spend about 30/45 mins preparing healthy, cheap, interesting meals.

I have just made some delicious potato and onion soup which works out at about 150 cals a portion (less if you don't use the butter, just 'stock-fry' the onions and potatoes first). For added protein you can use a topping of grated cheese, or put some butter beans in it (these are cheap but healthy), just remember to add the additional calories. Make a big pot, put out some chunky bread (my husband makes all our bread) your family will love it, and it only takes 30 mins from start to finish and costs very little. Recipe here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/potatosoup_11631.

You can make your own pizza base really easily with stuff you've probably got in your cupboard already, add some vegetables, or meat, a tin of tomatoes (these are inexpensive) herbs spices of your choice, and some cheese, serve with a side-salad of peppers, beansprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, etc, or maybe a jacket potato. You'll enjoy it better than a shop-bought one, so will your family.

It's all about planning and looking up delicious recipes (the Internet is a good source). You really can eat healthily, cheaply and lose weight without resorting to processed foods, which will cost you more in the long-run leave you feeling hungry, wanting more.

Good luck with your efforts, it will be worth it in the long-run.

Liftng4Lis

Try to buy meat in bulk (you can get freezer bags at the dollar store). Frozen or canned veggies and lots of rice and beans. This actually turns out less expensive then buying that pizza or fish sticks.
For rice ideals: try adding some light coconut milk, chicken and veggies.

rosebette

If you have a partner and two children, you can save by buying in bulk For instance, my market had chicken breasts for 1.99 a lb., even cheaper than hamburger! Chicken breasts, rice, and frozen vegetables make a very good meal. Often, chicken leg quarters are under $1 a lb. As many posters above stated, pasta is an economical meal that goes a long way. Even whole wheat pasta is under $1.50 a box, and l lb. of pasta can feed a whole family and even have leftovers.

jodi_fletch

I think the problem is I live in a little village and rely on public transport ive done the steamed veg and stuff and I love fruit and pasta I think the answer to my problems is to bulk by the beans and pasta stuff then I can keep it for weeks at a time

brightmoth144

There are many cheap dinner options that include whole, real, food for your family:
Rice cooked in chicken boullian, chopped onion, peppers, black pepper. Serve with roasted chicken or fish baked in foil.
Rice cooked in beef boullian, chopped onion, peppers, black pepper. Serve with flank steak (cheaper cut) or pork chops baked.
Rice cooked with soy sauce, chopped onion, peppers, black pepper. Fry it in a teaspoon of oil and add an egg and scramble. Add peas.
Rice cooked plain topped with pork or chicken baked with a can of 98% fat free cream of chicken soup and black pepper. Or top with either of those baked with lipton onion soup mix mixed with a little water or a can of 98% fat free cream of mushroom.
Rice cooked plain topped with ham steak baked with a can of pineapple and a little brown sugar. You can thicken with corn starch to get a good gravy.
Dried beans rinsed, soaked and cooked with chopped onion, peppers, carrots, frozen spinach, and seasonings to make soup. Adding tomato changes it to a new kind of soup. Try Sazon seasoning, Shan Indian seasonings, Cajun seasonings. I make a double pot of this once a week. You can add pasta or rice. (I don't 'cause I limit my carbs, but it makes a more filling meal for the family, so you can add it to theirs).
Canned beans work too, no need to drain them first.
Canned fat free refried beans, with salsa in tortillas. You don't need meat since there is enough protein in the beans.
"Spanish rice" is good with this: Rice cooked in tomato sauce, with onion and peppers.
Any kind of Breakfast foods for dinner.
Tuna is cheap too. 98% fat free cream of mushroom and peas over toast. Or wrap in pizza dough and bake. Some cheese in it is good, but ups the calories.
I wrap things in pizza dough often to add variety. Any meat with low fat cream cheese or laughing cow cheese, a sprinkle of parmesan, seasonings.
Pasta is great too, if you can afford it. I buy the high protein to help with weight loss. I love jarred marsala sauce with mushrooms and chicken, but you can make your own with beef boullian, wine, mushrooms, a little soy or Worcestershire sauce and cornstarch. Pan fry chicken first in Pam, remove it, then make sauce.
Good luck!

ew_david

jodi_fletch wrote: »

I think the problem is I live in a little village and rely on public transport ive done the steamed veg and stuff and I love fruit and pasta I think the answer to my problems is to bulk by the beans and pasta stuff then I can keep it for weeks at a time

Don't you have to take the same public transport to get frozen pizza and cheap fish fingers? I don't get it.

SergeantSausage

I just logged the most delicious beans (black turtle beans) and rice for breakfast.

I grow my own beans every summer and store a 5 gallon bucket for use all year - free but even if you bought 'em they'd be about 18 cents a serving.

I buy my rice from Sam's club. A 50 pound bag is about 20 bucks and lasts for a hundred meals (or more)

I'd call it about 35 cents a serving for a totally delicious, nutritionally and calorie dense meal. I try to make 6 or 8 meals a week of beans and rice.

The internet is full of recipes for you. An hour with Google will net you a lifetime of tastes and flavors. You could have beans and rice every day for a year and never eat the same dish twice.

kungabungadin

laddyboy wrote: »

I saved thousand of $$$ by eating healthy. I no longer have to buy sleep apnea supplies or medications. With that being said you can save loads of money using coupons. Buy the Sunday Paper with all those ads and clip those coupons. You can do it.

I agree with this guy even if the coupons are for other things you will save. That is one way also look for veggie and fruit markets that sell at discounted prices, frozen is cheaper than fresh and when it's the time of year for gardens grow your own. I have spent $20 or less at veggie/fruit market and went home with a 3lb bag of apples, a couple of pounds of grapes and pairs, a 5lb bag of golden potatos, red and yellow peppers, green onion, cucumbers, a 3lb bag of oranges and more. So shop around and save money in other areas of life and spend that on your health. Try also making your own soup that is rather cheap. Good luck.

Laurend224

SergeantSausage wrote: »

I just logged the most delicious beans (black turtle beans) and rice for breakfast.

I grow my own beans every summer and store a 5 gallon bucket for use all year - free but even if you bought 'em they'd be about 18 cents a serving.

I buy my rice from Sam's club. A 50 pound bag is about 20 bucks when on sale and lasts for a hundred meals (or more)

I'd call it about 35 cents a serving for a totally delicious, nutritionally and calorie dense meal. I try to make 6 or 8 meals a week of beans and rice.

The internet is full of recipes for you. An hour with Google will net you a lifetime of tastes and flavors. You could have beans and rice every day for a year and never eat the same dish twice.

That's awesome. I don't have nearly enough land to grow beans in quantity. Fortunately the grocery store has them cheap enough. We did grow some pintos and some black beans (sprouted from the grocery store beans) but that was just a project for the kids. I think we got maybe 50 beans in our 'harvest'

Zomoniac

rybo wrote: »

Rice, beans, tuna, frozen vegetables, and sales make eating well not as expensive as many people think.

Tuna? Wish I lived where you did! It's £1.50 (about US$2.50) for a small can here.

SergeantSausage

jodi_fletch wrote: »

I think the problem is I live in a little village and rely on public transport ive done the steamed veg and stuff and I love fruit and pasta I think the answer to my problems is to bulk by the beans and pasta stuff then I can keep it for weeks at a time

When properly stored, they'll last *years* with no loss of nutrition or taste. White rice is supposed to last decades. I'm finishing up a 50 pound bag that was bought almost 2 years ago and it's fine.

Buy 'em once - one trip - and store for the next year or more of regular use.

jackie26us

We live on a tight budget with me out of work. We get food from a food bank too Now I was spending like $50 a week on junk food as treats mind you but we didn't "have money" for food. The main thing I did was cut out the junk food and use that $50 I spent on junk food for buying healthy food. Now I also plan meals and work around that. I shop the sales buying beans, lots of veggies etc. I make sure my foods are nutrient dense. So we don't even see us missing money since it was money I used to buy "treats." Let me also say I never realized I was spending that much on junk food. One day I just added it all up and was shocked. It was definitely an eye opener.

1Craftygirl2

As mentioned by others you can make homemade soups. If you roast a chicken or even chicken parts, take all the meat off the bones before serving. Break the bones and put them in a large pot of water with 6 - quarts (5.5 litres) of water add washed and unpeeled - 2 carrots, 2 sticks of celery and one onion. Bring to a boil then let simmer for about an hour and a half until reduced. Drain the liquid and you have just made you own stock which is healthy and cheap and adds great flavor. You can use this to make your soups. Can be kept I the frig for about 10 days or frozen.
Chop several carrots, several sticks of celery, one onion, any type of vegetable to have fresh and some lentils or dried beans and sauté in a pot with just a little oil, and some spices or seasonings. Add your liquid (homemade stock, can tomatoes, water etc) and bring to slow boil to cook your beans and lentils. You can also add any frozen vegetables you like, pasta, rice, and any other type of meat proteins at the end. You can put almost anything in the soup, whatever your tastes are. Makes a hearty healthy soup that is cheap to make and has none of the added sodium you often find in can soups. You can also freeze this soup so if you get vegetables at a good price you can make a lot for use we cant readily get fresh vegetables.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Try to buy meat in bulk (you can get freezer bags at the dollar store). Frozen or canned veggies and lots of rice and beans. This actually turns out less expensive then buying that pizza or fish sticks.
For rice ideals: try adding some light coconut milk, chicken and veggies.

This is what I was going to suggest. The frozen section can be a great aisle to buy stuff in bulk and make it last. That's where we buy our chicken, shrimp, fish, and vegetables.

DawnieB1977

rybo wrote: »

Rice, beans, tuna, frozen vegetables, and sales make eating well not as expensive as many people think.

I agree with most of that, except tuna is damn expensive in England!

Stew is quite cheap to make, just some chicken or beef of whatever and lots and lots of veg, and some stock. Also things like shepherds pie, lasagne etc as you can pad them out with lots of veggies and make them last longer.