Eating Healthy on the Cheap

Khovde07

Is it just me or does all the healthy stuff, including fruits and veggies seem way expensive? What's your favorite way to make healthy meals on the cheap? I can't be the only broke person on here trying to be healthy.

RodaRose

Buy frozen or canned fruits and veggies. Eat lentils, beans. Rice, onions, potatoes.
Those of us who are eating soups with garbanzo beans or black eyed peas with white rice have low grocery bills.

br3adman

Grow your own from seeds.

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enterdanger

do you have any farmer's markets nearby? I find my fresh produce is way cheaper at the farmer's market. Conversely, meat from there seems mad expensive to me.

Lizzy622

Dried beans are really cheap, very healthy and a good protein source ( much cheaper than meat). I found going meatless a few meals a week saves money and calories. There are tons of recipes for various veggie burgers and veggie chili to keep things interesting. Also buy fruits and veggies in season or frozen when not in season.

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IILikeToMoveItMoveIt

I get all my food from in-store discounts. I look for markdown steaks, fruit, veg, milk, frozen dinners, yogurt...anything really. The key thing for me and my family is to be open to what is available and the deals dictate your week more than anything. I can shop for 2 weeks with a family of 4 from 100-170 dollars. At a chain store like Kroger (This includes snack foods and impulse items, formula and diapers) Learn your store and see where they leave clearance/markdowns in every dept. You might also look into Grocery Salvage stores. I get a lot of my organic food from these places for a steal! Stuff like boxes of organic cereal for 59 cents that won't expire for months, 10 lbs of ribs for 4 bucks or 3 for a dollar name brand chips. I've gotten a car loaded full of groceries for 60 dollars...It's worth looking into...

enterdanger

catscats222 wrote: »

my farmers market is insanely expensive.
green beans were like $3+ a pound and people were buying in a frenzy - so know your prices
good to know it's not like that everywhere - maybe just an expensive area of town.

It's definitely that maket. We have 3 in my area and they all have varying prices. The hispanic run one is the best and cheapest and has a variety of things I've never heard of. The amish one is the most expensive. Do you have any hispanic supermercados by you? I've found the best produce at the Gigante by my work. Avocado are like 10 for $3. so cheap

Queenmunchy

We have reasonable farmer's markets, but we also have one that sells green peppers for $12/lb! I went there once and never went back, ha!

jgnatca

Here's some ideas, that I've gleaned from the great MFP community.

http://www.budgetbytes.com/

http://sixdollarsaday.com/

I buy vegetables often, in season, and on sale. I will often plan my meals around the vegetable of the day to use it fresh (less wastage). Sturdy inexpensive vegetables include onions, cabbage, and carrots. I also keep a variety of frozen fruits and vegetables on hand.

Dried beans and lentils, as already mentioned, are inexpensive and are great fillers.

This time of year the winter squashes are great. Try planning some of your meals around them.

For meats, chicken thighs or a whole chicken is cheaper than breasts, or you can prepare a roast beef ahead of time to be used for many meals.

Lucille4444

I second the 'grow your own'. I have a tiny house and piece of land but grow peppers, tomatoes, green beans and eggplant (right now).
I also look for frozen veggies on sale and stock up when I find them. One of the best investments I have made is a large chest freezer in the garage, inexpensive in terms of energy and priceless in terms of stocking up when I find cheap groceries.

Khovde07

I definitely do grow my own when I can. I've started canning my own food as well. It's insane how much healthier everything is that way! But unfortunately I live pretty far up north in a very rural community with only one grocery store with outrageous prices. Our growing season is long done and my dog would eat anything I tried to grow indoors. We do have a farmer's market but it's very tiny and very expensive. We also buy in bulk on sale and use it later when we can.

I just always struggle when it's three days before pay day and money is feeling a little tight but you want to make a healthy meal. That's usually when I reach for the can of tuna. But tuna isn't always fun to eat.

jgnatca

@Khovde07 , I also lived in a remote northern community. Locals planned their trip to the big city and stocked up. Most people in town had a chest freezer and a pantry packed. Frozen fruits and vegetables are flash frozen at their peak so are often a good choice. And they store a lot longer.

GaelachAingeal

I spent much time and money throwing away fruits and veggies that were only partially eaten/used. It was to the point I stopped buying much fruits and veggies. I just recently started using a food saver. Its come in great so far.

brb2008

I tend to spend money on meats first, then fill in with veggies. Mostly canned or frozen out of convenience sake not just cost. I feed men who don't much care about calorie or nutrition content so I will make a side dish for them from pasta roni or some basic rice. The dinners i make are cheap, easy, and rotate often. I also recently decided not to cook beef very often, i just cant justify the cost of it.

Here's a couple basic ideas:
Chicken Stir Fry- 3lbs chicken (here that works out to about $4/4.50), rice (cost so low I cant even figure it out for you, less than a buck), and frozen veg mixes (less than 1.50 each and I use 2 to feed a crowd).

Black Bean Chili- 3-4 cans of blackbeans, a can of corn, two cans diced tomatoes, a bag of frozen bell peppers, spices, sour cream + cheese. My men will add tons of toppings and chips. I like the chili with a tbsp of sour cream!

I buy my chicken in bulk then freeze it to help keep cost low. I probably spend about $120 a week to feed three adults. If you want anymore ideas of what I personally buy and cook send me a message!

Lizzy622

GaelachAingeal wrote: »

I spent much time and money throwing away fruits and veggies that were only partially eaten/used. It was to the point I stopped buying much fruits and veggies. I just recently started using a food saver. Its come in great so far.

This is the argument for meal planning. It helps decrease spoilage.

Psychgrrl

Frozen veggies and protein. I only have me, though. I buy quinoa in bulk and drink a protein shake for breakfast each week day (or day I go to work). Eggs/egg whites have gone up, but I still buy them. I also like Trader Joe's High Protein tofu (cheap and good).

I buy non-perishable staples like quinoa, high protein pasta and tuna in bulk at CostCo. My version of cooking is throwing a bunch of veggies and egg whites in a skillet. Though last night I added tuna. I often make quinoa in bulk and pack it for lunch throughout the week.

CrabNebula

For protein, the best thing I ever did was buy an Instant Pot. Now I make all of my Greek yogurt at home. Besides the money savings, I can control the sugar content in it and how tart it will be. I can take a gallon of skim milk and make about four pounds of Greek yogurt with it. Right now, I'm buying milk at Costco for $1.75 a gallon, so yeah, this is really cheap protein right now.

Kalikel

Buy meat on sale.

Frozen veggies and fruits are pretty cheap. Dried beans and peas, too.

You can make your own bread and save a little money on that. It'll taste better, too.

Watch the store for in-store, unadvertised specials.

Khovde07

Thanks all! Hubby and I just made a run to Sam's Club yesterday and stocked up on a bunch of protein for pretty cheap. Gotta separate it out into portions now.

beemerphile1

Think eating healthy is expensive?
imgur.com/a/JbgdX#qurnj19

cmtigger

Lucille4444 wrote: »

I second the 'grow your own'. I have a tiny house and piece of land but grow peppers, tomatoes, green beans and eggplant (right now).
I also look for frozen veggies on sale and stock up when I find them. One of the best investments I have made is a large chest freezer in the garage, inexpensive in terms of energy and priceless in terms of stocking up when I find cheap groceries.

Chest freezers are great, but make sure you use what is in there. I have a bad habit of filling it then I have to use a lot to put anything else in it.