Limited Grocery Shopping Help?

LittleMissDoll

I am going to the grocery store to pick up a few things, money I should not be spending but I dont want to resort to macaroni. I want to spend MAX 50$ what do you guys suggest? what food goes a long way but isnt very expensive? so far I plan to get chicken breast, lettuce, and some frozen veggies. tips??

ElizabethRoad

If you're looking to save money, get a whole chicken instead of chicken breast.

VonRockette

Watch for the "Unit price" on items. Some items they make it out like you are getting a deal but in reality you are paying more for less.

I was in this grocery situation for the past couple years. Bananas and apples were a life saver. Plus can-ned or frozen veggies. We bought our proteins liek boneless ksinless chicken breast form a bulk place like Costco. Buy big bags of whole grain rice and beans ( I prefer canned -no sodium added- but that is because I am lazy and don't want to soak them for 8 hours...). Those things will keep you full for longer and are very versitile.


Have you thought about a foodbank? A lot of things they give you might be unhealhty, but with a little bit of crafty cooking and omitting they can be good dishes. My friend just fell on some money troubles and went to the Calgary one... they gave her a HUGE box of lettuce and veggies. I don't know what kind of money situation youre in, but if you find yourslef not being able to afford food please call around and find out what options you have!

LittleMissDoll

I already have a kitchen full of very unhealthy sodium packed stuff, I just want a bit of healthier stuff to keep me from eating that stuff all day every day which is what got me into this situation

issyfit

Dried beans for soup, chili, salads etc.; also eggs good for any meal, skip prepackaged items. You can save money on veggies and fruit by buying what's in season and non packaged items.

AmyMK

Try to buy staples like rice from the bulk foods section. Watch your coupons and store deals too...if something I regulartly eat is onsale I try to stock up on it-it saves money down the line! If you buy lots of chicken breasts or fish, freeze them individually

VonRockette

Unless you have a salt sensitivity I wouldn't be too worried about sodium. I mean, you definitely want to drink LOTS of water and not overdo it because of retention.

sweet110

If you don't have any dietary restriction, the foods that have the best ratio of cheap-to-nutrition are:

1. Dried beans (canned are expensive, dried are cheap). If you're not much of a bean lover, might I suggest split red lentils. They sort of disappear in soup and cook FAST. They cook in like 20 minutes.

2. Whole [insert meat/cuts of choice]. Parts are expensive.

3. For snacks? Popcorn kernels. Microwave popcorn is expensive. You can get an entire bag of kernals for less than one box of microwave popcorn that contains 3 servings. I make regular popcorn, popcorn with curry powder. Popcorn with chile powder, and kettle corn. Its great to have around when you have a crunchy/salty/carb craving.

4. Plain yogurt...in a tub, not the little individual cups. Its not cheap, but when you consider how filling, satiating, and versatile it is, its a great buy. If you get plain, you can sweeten it when you want something sweet, use it for sour cream when you want something savory, or use it for sauce bases. Get some frozen fruit to throw into it when you are having something sweet.

5. Frozen vegetables. They are cheaper, last longer, and in winter...are probably even healthier than fresh.

With the money you'll save on 1-5, you'll have money left over to get the things you might enjoy that aren't so cheap.

Devlyn_P

Tuna
Greek Yogurt (can be expensive but extremely useful)
Eggs
Veggies (frozen)
Quinoa
Cuties (other fresh fruits)
Oats
Lentils
Kidney beans
Fish
Raw Spinach

All the above is inexpensive and quite filling.

calliope_music

eggs
yogurt (buy the big tubs)
cottage cheese
frozen veggies
rice
pasta
lentils/beans
oats (again, buy the big container)