Motivated But Poor

hopelesswritr

Hey guys,

I've been a member here on and off for a while, but this time, I'm going to do everything within my power to stay motivated and keep going. I actually work at McDonald's, which keeps me extremely active for back to back eight hour shifts some days.

My only problem is that I am currently in a relationship that, sadly, feels like it's hitting its expiry date, and my boyfriend makes more money than I do working at McDonald's, so it's his money that buys all the food.

How do I maintain a healthy diet working making minimum wage for less than 20 hours a week? I have to eat McDonald's at least once every day that I work because by the time break comes around, I am famished and the food is free.

If anyone knows of places or brands that have good, fiber rich/low calorie foods that aren't extremely expensive and don't taste like cardboard, please let me know! I know that I can get fresh and frozen fruits and veggies at Walmart, but that's hardly a well-rounded diet.

Thanks for reading, and for any potential responses!

osothefinn

If you have time to do food prep buy the basics. Chicken (bone-in is cheaper), rice, beans, pasta, fruits, veggies, eggs, etc, and make things from recipes. Crockpot recipes are great and provide meals for several days.

MJ1975CA

Try this:
peel and cube 1-2 sweet potatoes (approx. $2)
dice one green bell pepper and one red bell pepper (approx. $4)
dice one white onion (approx. $1)
toss with garlic olive oil, garlic powder, cumin and chili powder (prices vary, but once you buy it will last a long time)
cook on medium in skillet until sweet potato is soft and lightly golden on the outside

serve with a fried egg or over brown rice or black beans. You can also use for tacos or enchiladas. Keeps very well in the fridge in a tight sealed container. Makes a lot of food. Freezes well uncooked too (add oil and seasoning later if you are freezing). makes a great stuffing for chicken breasts too or a steak topper

KetosisTina

sure rice, beans and pasta are cheap.. heck all the restaurants use them as cheap fillers along with chips and bread. BUT, this doesn't make them healthy. Cheap carbs are what are keep us fat. Veggies, lower sugar fruits are good. Also healthy fats will keep you satiated (full). If you must eat a meal at Mickie D's go for the salads or the unbreaded chicken. True it's not as exciting as a Big Mac and fries but it's much healthier for you. Being on a tight budget is hard but dollar stores can help. Canned salmon or tuna is going to be much better for you than a burger. A spinach salmon salad brought in a lunch box is just as fast as a happy meal. I bring my lunch to work every day. It actually turns out to be cheaper than running to the cafeteria.
True it's not free.

suejoker

Beans & rice are also super cheap at Walmart! When I was really broke, I would shop for chicken and fish at Chinatown. If you have one near you, they always have the best prices on meat & fish. The chicken was only 69 cents/pound. Asian markets can also usually beat Walmart on produce prices. It won't usually be organic, but wash it well and enjoy!

weather_nerd

Search your local grocery flyers every week for good deals. I know where I live, they will have whole chickens on sale for a ridiculously cheap price. I buy 4 of them and freeze them. Make one of those and you can get a couple nights worth of dinner, plus you can make a hearty chicken and vegetable soup with the leftovers.

Some ideas off the top of my head:

Stuffed peppers with rice and beans
Any sort of soup or stew
Chili (vegetarian or with meat)
Rice paper wraps with julienned carrots, cucumber, hard boiled egg and mixed greens (or lean meat if you wish)
White fish wrapped in tin foil with lemon and pepper, grilled in the oven
Stir fry
Roast with potatoes and carrots
Broccoli chopped lengthwise and tossed with olive oil, garlic and a dash of parmesan cheese (can get pricey, wait until the cheese goes on sale)
Snack on any kind of fruits or veggies
Oatmeal

Hope this helps!

L.

aishmartin

I LOVE my crock pot! It's like having a wife

You can google "cheap crock pot meals" and find a ton of stuff.

As for rice, pasta and breads, make sure you're getting the whole grain stuff and the brown rice. It's more filling and more nutritious! HTH

bethanycopley1980

Michelinas Lean Gourmet frozen dinners are $1 at Walmart....calorie and portion controlled. Im poor too...I use them at work.

Elliehmltn

I just read about a guy who lost a lot of weight in 6 months of eating *only* McDonald's food. He ate the healthier choices.

Free food at work is a big plus if you're on a tight budget. It doesn't have to be a Big Mac and X-Large fries. Read the calorie counts and count 'em up. Eat the smaller items from the Dollar Menu, even though you don't have to keep your cost down.

At home, dry beans are cheap. So is rice. Apples don't cost a whole lot. Tomatoes are often less expensive per pound than apples, and have more nutrients in them. Potatoes are cheap. So are carrots and cabbage.

osothefinn

sure rice, beans and pasta are cheap.. heck all the restaurants use them as cheap fillers along with chips and bread. BUT, this doesn't make them healthy. Cheap carbs are what are keep us fat. Veggies, lower sugar fruits are good. Also healthy fats will keep you satiated (full). If you must eat a meal at Mickie D's go for the salads or the unbreaded chicken. True it's not as exciting as a Big Mac and fries but it's much healthier for you. Being on a tight budget is hard but dollar stores can help. Canned salmon or tuna is going to be much better for you than a burger. A spinach salmon salad brought in a lunch box is just as fast as a happy meal. I bring my lunch to work every day. It actually turns out to be cheaper than running to the cafeteria.
True it's not free.

If she's eating at a deficit, making sure she hits her macros, and doesn't have a metabolic condition she will have no problems with the carbohydrates in potatoes, rice, beans, or pasta. If carbs from rice caused obesity the third world should be full of 300 pounders right?

Canned salmon runs like $0.75 an ounce, so it wouldn't top my recommendation of foods to shop for when someone is on a tight budget. Agree on healthy fats and the items off the McD's menu, but as long as she's eating at a deficit she can lose weight. I'm down 100 pounds eating anything that fits my macros.

hopelesswritr

sure rice, beans and pasta are cheap.. heck all the restaurants use them as cheap fillers along with chips and bread. BUT, this doesn't make them healthy. Cheap carbs are what are keep us fat. Veggies, lower sugar fruits are good. Also healthy fats will keep you satiated (full). If you must eat a meal at Mickie D's go for the salads or the unbreaded chicken. True it's not as exciting as a Big Mac and fries but it's much healthier for you. Being on a tight budget is hard but dollar stores can help. Canned salmon or tuna is going to be much better for you than a burger. A spinach salmon salad brought in a lunch box is just as fast as a happy meal. I bring my lunch to work every day. It actually turns out to be cheaper than running to the cafeteria.
True it's not free.

I feel like that could be doable. I actually opt for the grilled premium chicken sammiches with a fruit and yogurt parfait (no granola) and a small Sprite or Coke Zero.

Josalinn

Do you have a wegmans near you? They have $1 bags of frozen veggies

hopelesswritr

If she's eating at a deficit, making sure she hits her macros, and doesn't have a metabolic condition she will have no problems with the carbohydrates in potatoes, rice, beans, or pasta. If carbs from rice caused obesity the third world should be full of 300 pounders right?

Canned salmon runs like $0.75 an ounce, so it wouldn't top my recommendation of foods to shop for when someone is on a tight budget. Agree on healthy fats and the items off the McD's menu, but as long as she's eating at a deficit she can lose weight. I'm down 100 pounds eating anything that fits my macros.

I'm doing my best to meet a 1580 net calorie limit but sometimes I go a wee bit over (and sometimes I go over in sodium but everything else is usually fine). I also plan on replacing my starchy pasta with whole grain pasta (even though it doesn't taste all that great).

MissingMyOldSelf

If you have time to do food prep buy the basics. Chicken (bone-in is cheaper), rice, beans, pasta, fruits, veggies, eggs, etc, and make things from recipes. Crockpot recipes are great and provide meals for several days.

This is a GREAT helper! Plus, if you have an Aldi's around you, you can get your grocery bill for about 1/2 of what you'd pay at walmart. Thankfully, spring is (hopefully!) on it's way, and farmers markets should be coming up soon, and they're fun places to experiment with new foods, plus, they don't mind negotiations ;-)

Best wishes!! I'm in the same boat as you, and I seem to be reliant on oatmeal for breakfast (since it keeps me fuller longer) and my main meal of the day has at least rice, beans or pasta in it for more a more satisfying meal

JulieGirl58

Do yourself a favor and don't drink soda. Stick with water, Even diet soda is so bad for you. If you can quit this unhealthy habit in your youth you will be so far ahead of everyone else.

MissingMyOldSelf

oh! I forgot to mention!!!

I found a website called budgetbytes.com. This girl has a GREAT knack for finding awesome, delicious recipes that won't break your budget.

zoeysasha37

Hello :-)
I actually have a friend on here, who also works at McDonalds and has a limited income, and is a student. Its very hard. But first I want to congratulate you for trying!! Its not easy :-(
But I think if you get a free meal each day there, I would choose the salad with a bottled water. And as far as your other meals go, I would suggest meal prepping. You can get chicken breast and veggies from Walmart, and make up several healthy meals at once and you'll have them, so all you will have to do is heat them up. I know its rough, but you can do this! :-) have a good night! :-)

Samby_v1

sure rice, beans and pasta are cheap.. heck all the restaurants use them as cheap fillers along with chips and bread. BUT, this doesn't make them healthy. Cheap carbs are what are keep us fat. Veggies, lower sugar fruits are good. Also healthy fats will keep you satiated (full). If you must eat a meal at Mickie D's go for the salads or the unbreaded chicken. True it's not as exciting as a Big Mac and fries but it's much healthier for you. Being on a tight budget is hard but dollar stores can help. Canned salmon or tuna is going to be much better for you than a burger. A spinach salmon salad brought in a lunch box is just as fast as a happy meal. I bring my lunch to work every day. It actually turns out to be cheaper than running to the cafeteria.
True it's not free.

I feel like that could be doable. I actually opt for the grilled premium chicken sammiches with a fruit and yogurt parfait (no granola) and a small Sprite or Coke Zero.

Hi! I also know the misery of trying to eat well on a tight budget. If you need a break from the MaccyD's and you're near a farmer's market then check out Jack Monroe's recipes. She's an anti-poverty campaigner here in the UK. Her recipes are really healthy and they usually come in at under a dollar for a portion.

http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/recipes-food/

Good luck!

TheBadToe

sure rice, beans and pasta are cheap.. heck all the restaurants use them as cheap fillers along with chips and bread. BUT, this doesn't make them healthy. Cheap carbs are what are keep us fat. Veggies, lower sugar fruits are good. Also healthy fats will keep you satiated (full). If you must eat a meal at Mickie D's go for the salads or the unbreaded chicken. True it's not as exciting as a Big Mac and fries but it's much healthier for you. Being on a tight budget is hard but dollar stores can help. Canned salmon or tuna is going to be much better for you than a burger. A spinach salmon salad brought in a lunch box is just as fast as a happy meal. I bring my lunch to work every day. It actually turns out to be cheaper than running to the cafeteria.
True it's not free.

I feel like that could be doable. I actually opt for the grilled premium chicken sammiches with a fruit and yogurt parfait (no granola) and a small Sprite or Coke Zero.

Hi! I also know the misery of trying to eat well on a tight budget. If you need a break from the MaccyD's and you're near a farmer's market then check out Jack Monroe's recipes. She's an anti-poverty campaigner here in the UK. Her recipes are really healthy and they usually come in at under a dollar for a portion.

http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/recipes-food/

Good luck!

I was going to say the same thing. Buy from a local farm, "pick your own" farms are the best. Buy eggs from someone who owns chickens... Drink only water... Plant an herb garden in your window box.

rondaj05

I just read about a guy who lost a lot of weight in 6 months of eating *only* McDonald's food. He ate the healthier choices.

Free food at work is a big plus if you're on a tight budget. It doesn't have to be a Big Mac and X-Large fries. Read the calorie counts and count 'em up. Eat the smaller items from the Dollar Menu, even though you don't have to keep your cost down.

At home, dry beans are cheap. So is rice. Apples don't cost a whole lot. Tomatoes are often less expensive per pound than apples, and have more nutrients in them. Potatoes are cheap. So are carrots and cabbage.

^Free food is helpful when you don't have a lot to spend on groceries and McDonald's does have healthier choices. Good Luck!!

Buff2022

If no one has mentioned it please see if you qualify for food stamps.

hopelesswritr

If no one has mentioned it please see if you qualify for food stamps.

Right now, I'm still in NYS, and I'm not a resident, so I don't qualify here. I plan on going back to Michigan to go back to school, so when I'm there, I will definitely apply.

M______

Brown rice, chicken, stir fry mix veg and a sauce. Its very cheap for a decent, filling meal.

Cynner2007

Hi, honey, I don't have anything of importance to add, you have received excellent advice already. I just want to let you know there are many of us who understand where you are coming from. I really do want to recommend A Girl Called Jack's blog. She is Britsh, but her food wisdom is sound and translates across the pond

Mia_RagazzaTosta

I apologize for some of the bad advice you've received in this thread.

Eat what you want, or more importantly, what you can. There are no "bad" foods. You don't get fat by eating "wrong" foods, but by eating too much. Eat at a calorie deficit and you will lose weight. Period.

Shell_1384

I just read about a guy who lost a lot of weight in 6 months of eating *only* McDonald's food. He ate the healthier choices.

Free food at work is a big plus if you're on a tight budget. It doesn't have to be a Big Mac and X-Large fries. Read the calorie counts and count 'em up. Eat the smaller items from the Dollar Menu, even though you don't have to keep your cost down.

At home, dry beans are cheap. So is rice. Apples don't cost a whole lot. Tomatoes are often less expensive per pound than apples, and have more nutrients in them. Potatoes are cheap. So are carrots and cabbage.

Yes, a science teacher in the USA got some students to create a meal plan using the McD's nutritional guide. By making the right choices and incorporating exercise he did lose weight! It's all about the nutritional value of what you are putting in your body, also quantity.

Bernadette60614

I'd suggest: Take a look at the McDonald's nutritional information and look at where you can get the most protein for your calorie "dollars". As I recall, the Chicken McNuggets are not horrible...lots of protein, and that would balance out your fruits/veggies. Add some low fat milk and you have two shots of protein right there.

Also, McDonald's has salads, too!

50sforme

First of all give yourself a pat on the back for committing to improve your health!

I struggle to buy healthy foods for my family, which includes active, growing teenagers, without breaking the bank. I try to shop carefully for everything, to maximize my grocery budget. So I'll shoot out some some ideas from that perspective, and maybe something will resonate.

Look at your overall budget and see where you can cut. Shop thrift stores for clothes, go down to name brands for shampoo/soap,use coupons/reward cards, look at cell phone/cable

Shop the "loss leaders" at the super market. Stock up on sale items & try to combine sale & coupon. Since I started shopping this way, my grocery cart looks a lot different! Where it used to contain a balanced weeks worth of food, now it may contain a month's worth of cheerio's and 2 month's worth of chicken breasts, but no bread or frozen veg because I've socked up on those during the previous weeks. If you can dedicate a few shelves in your pantry for a stockpile that will help, as does having freezer space

Think critically about the prepared foods you buy. The more your food is prepared and packaged for you, the more it costs. For example, I don't buy 100 calorie snack bags because I can easily pack my own snacks in .50 cent store-brand snack bags. But I'll pay for black bean burgers because it takes longer to make my own, they pack easily, and I can eat them hot or room temp. And I don't buy oatmeal in the packets, because it is cheaper per serving to do the steel cut in the crockpot.

Think about investing (or asking for as gifts) in stuff that will make healthy eating--at home and on the go--easier. Try to get a crockpot, Tupperware in different sizes (love the kind that's divided into 3 sections, sandwich size & 2 smaller ones), a blender for smoothies

Use what you buy & eliminate waste! Dice left over meat to salads, left over fruit to smoothies, etc. Spending 20 minutes to plan your meals cfor the week is very helpful in this regard. I know for me, if I don't plan, I end up with veggies that go bad.

Those are just some ideas for you. I know you didn't ask about your cell phone bill... But I know for me, I've had the most success when I look at the whole budgeting/shopping picture so that's where I was coming from. Hope something here helps

Take care and good luck on your journey!

GBrady43068

1) Eggs with black beans are high-protein, high-fiber, low dollar.
2) Tuna melts are cheap. Do them on a multi-grain bread and you’re getting protein from the fish and cheese, fiber from the bread for not a whole lot of calories.
3) Lunch meat is salty so if you have sodium issues this may not work but you can eat turkey/lean ham sandwiches and wraps. Spend a little on the “add-ins” to get your veggies and mix up the options so you don’t get bored. Made a really tasty turkey wrap on whole wheat flatout with fresh spinach, hummus, roasted pepper and pepper jack the other day that was the bomb. The huge pack of lunchmeat at Aldi is only around $3 and would probably last 3 weeks. Another $2 for the cheese.
4) Forego convenience to get cheapness. Yeah it’s easy to buy pre-made carrot sticks but it’s a lot cheaper to buy the carrots whole and peel/cut them yourself and parcel them into containers.
5) Crockpots will enable you to buy cheaper cuts of meat without them being tough. The long slow cooking will make them fall apart tender. Buy them with bone-in to save dough…
6) Frozen fish on a George Foreman type grill (tilapia is a frequent choice for me) with a little lemon juice and lemon pepper = delicious and cheap.
7) Spices are also your friend. They can make tons of difference without adding calories.
8) Pasta- Check out Dreamfield’s. It is much lower in carbs because they add tons of fiber to it. Just know that you can’t eat as much of it as of “regular” pasta…because, well, it has TONS of fiber in it…

rockmama72

If I had a super-tight budget (and I have had MANY times in my life!) I'd load up on the free McDonalds meal and work around it. Because... It's free. Pick the healthiest options they have, meaning good source of protein, reasonable carbs and fats, maybe keep an eye on sodium. I'd even get an ice cream cone.

Then the other meals can be light and veggie filled and still cheap. Go to Walmart or Aldi and spend the bulk of your money on produce (fresh or frozen) and cheap protein. Eggs, dry or canned beans, Greek yogurt (higher protein), large packages of frozen chicken or tilapia, and a hunk of cheese to make life worth living. Round it out with milk and a hearty cold cereal or oatmeal (store brand raisin bran is cheap!) Some budget meal ideas:

Omelet (eggs, veggies, cheese)
Vegetarian chili (beans, tomatoes, spices, topping of cheese)
Chicken and vegetable stir fry
Baked potato with vegetables and a little cheese
Greek yogurt and fruit
Tilapia with vegetables

Watch carefully what goes to waste, too. To this day, I save all of the stems and stubs from my fresh vegetables and make a pot of soup with them at the end of the week.

And, oh yes, I agree with the poster who said having a crock pot is like having a wife. You can make a big batch of soup or chili or bean stew and freeze in freezer bags--it's VERY nice to have stuff like that on hand for those super-broke weeks.

hopelesswritr

First of all give yourself a pat on the back for committing to improve your health!

I struggle to buy healthy foods for my family, which includes active, growing teenagers, without breaking the bank. I try to shop carefully for everything, to maximize my grocery budget. So I'll shoot out some some ideas from that perspective, and maybe something will resonate.

Look at your overall budget and see where you can cut. Shop thrift stores for clothes, go down to name brands for shampoo/soap,use coupons/reward cards, look at cell phone/cable

Shop the "loss leaders" at the super market. Stock up on sale items & try to combine sale & coupon. Since I started shopping this way, my grocery cart looks a lot different! Where it used to contain a balanced weeks worth of food, now it may contain a month's worth of cheerio's and 2 month's worth of chicken breasts, but no bread or frozen veg because I've socked up on those during the previous weeks. If you can dedicate a few shelves in your pantry for a stockpile that will help, as does having freezer space

Think critically about the prepared foods you buy. The more your food is prepared and packaged for you, the more it costs. For example, I don't buy 100 calorie snack bags because I can easily pack my own snacks in .50 cent store-brand snack bags. But I'll pay for black bean burgers because it takes longer to make my own, they pack easily, and I can eat them hot or room temp. And I don't buy oatmeal in the packets, because it is cheaper per serving to do the steel cut in the crockpot.

Think about investing (or asking for as gifts) in stuff that will make healthy eating--at home and on the go--easier. Try to get a crockpot, Tupperware in different sizes (love the kind that's divided into 3 sections, sandwich size & 2 smaller ones), a blender for smoothies

Use what you buy & eliminate waste! Dice left over meat to salads, left over fruit to smoothies, etc. Spending 20 minutes to plan your meals cfor the week is very helpful in this regard. I know for me, if I don't plan, I end up with veggies that go bad.

Those are just some ideas for you. I know you didn't ask about your cell phone bill... But I know for me, I've had the most success when I look at the whole budgeting/shopping picture so that's where I was coming from. Hope something here helps

Take care and good luck on your journey!

Thank you for your kind words!

I'm actually the budgeter in my current relationship, so I'm pretty good with money. My current phone has another year and a half left in its contract, so the deal is that I pay half the phone bill until the contract runs out, and then I'm gonna do something a lot cheaper, since Verizon is way too expensive.

It just sucks because I grew up on macaroni and cheese and hot dogs, we never had any vegetables, so eating well is incredibly difficult for me. I wish my parents had forced veggies on me when I was a kid!