Cheap foods? :U

Kresent

It's not often I find something truly helpful online. I'm going to make falafel flavored chickpeas from your recipe. I can't wait for tomorrow to try it. Thank you so much.

Lentils are just about one of the cheapest truly healthy foods I can think of. Dump them in a rice cooker the same way you'd cook white rice and forget about them until it beeps. I like to eat mine rolled in a wrap with mustard and (formerly frozen) veggies like peas and peppers and spinach. There are lots of recipes for lentils though. They work well in slow cookers too.

If you are willing to prep, buy some dry chickpeas. Soak them overnight, then throw them in a slow cooker on high for about four hours. Throw them in a container you can shake, add oil to taste (the teeniest amount to whatever), add whatever spices you want (just salt, salt and vinegar, spicy, whatever), and bake on a cookie sheet at 425 or 450. Depending on your oven, could take 20 minutes or more. Just keep an eye on them until you get a feel for how long they will take. They are done when they are crispy and crunchy.

0EmmeNicole0

I am also on a budget so i like to buy cost friendly healthy options. Switching to whole grain from enriched products isn't more costly. If they are the same brands (make sure they are not enriched or processed - check labels) they can costs about the same. I switched from canned veggies to frozen. If you buy the store brand of frozen veggies it low cost and just as good as name brands. Tuna and beans (Dry beans) in bags are super cheap, and you get a lot more that way then in the cans. IF you buy eggs and meats on sale you can get extra lean varieties if you know when to get them. Turkey bacon and sausage cost the same as pork bacon and sausage. Simple switches won't cost you much money. What you don't spend on processed foods and snacks you can spend to get fresh veggies and lean meats. Also if you are eating out less you can pinch pinnies there and used money saved to buy dairy and protein products as well. Read your ads when they come on Sunday and go shopping according to the ads. At first i thought that eating healthy would cost more, but actually it seems as though i have saved money. Especially since i'm not eating out, and drinking only water, lemonade and tea, and i drink my coffee at work (it's free). I haven't had to buy any beverages for months. Also pre plan your meals, make a list, and stick to it.

JamzPurse

I don't know if you have an Aldi near you but you can usually find some good deals there on fruits, veggies, eggs, fish, meat, and "diet" foods. Also if you have any asian or mexican markets around go in and look around meat is often very inexpensive at those stores as are their specialty items. I feed a family of 5 for about $175/week. I have learned where to go for what I need. As long as the stores are nearby it is worth it.

reneeileen

Eggs, frozen veggies, oatmeal, and whatever is on sale.

Make a weekly menu ahead of time. Planning saves lots of money.

milaxx

I feel like losing weight is so expensive. And literally all I eat is carbs- pasta, rice, bagels, ramen. Is there anything I can buy that's affordable but not super fattening? >_>

Seek out your local produce market or Farmer's market. My produce market sell 3 dozen eggs for $3 - $4 depending on the market and I can get 2 full bags of fresh fruit and veg for $20. In the summer when fruit is cheap I buy berries and freeze so I can make smoothies year round. It's not easy but it's doable.

milaxx

I do not season my food because that is just extra calories, just light salt maybe some pepper! bam!

There are so many no calorie, no sodium seasonings out there...why wouldn't you season your meats????
I found an amazing roasted garlic one from PC
Ms. Dash has some good ones too

THIS. I buy the basics, garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder. Often times if I add the garlic and onion I don't need the salt. No added calories and no added sodium.

SammyKatt

I save money when I eat healthy. Frozen veggies are ALWAYS on sale around me and Costco had the cheapest meat and salad mixes!

tawnny6

Exactly...good luck ..

islandjumper

I'm a student with a very low food budget, so I feel your pain, but here's what I do:
Frozen veggies - for stir fry's - a larger bag can last anywhere from 4-6 meals
Tofu (I'm vegetarian) but a block is good for 4 meals
onions, garlic and ginger are a staple, so I'll buy those fresh and use them for a while.
I usually make a larger stir fry and split it for 2-3 meals (put the extras in Tupperware)
cans of Beans and lentils are fairly cheap...you could go the dry goods route but those take time to cook.
Anything I make is for at least 2 meals. I choose not to make it my lunch, just so i don't have to cook dinner every night, but that's an option too.
I don't use sauces, just spices like coriander and cumin which cuts the budget and the calories.
I buy bread, but only the fresh store made stuff (1/2 the price of the shipped in brands and without any additives)
Peanut butter! - it's great for lunch or as a snack, good with carrots, bread, apples...you name it. I even buy the all natural stuff and it's cheap
oatmeal for breakfast - but I don't buy the prepackaged...I get a bag of rolled oats that will last for weeks, and it's less than $2 (store brand)...I sweeten myself with honey or fruit.


Buying raw ingredients isn't all that expensive and it's much healthier. Buy what's in season to save a bit of $, what's not in season you can find frozen for fairly cheap (fresh is best, frozen is good, canned should be your last resort).
If I'm really scrimping I can get by on $30/week, but I like my veggie burgers, organic yogurt and juices, which means I average about $50/week (and this is in australia where everything is more expensive than the US)

firedragon064

bump

juliekaiser1988

I swear I don't mean to sound rude, but...

you've been a MFP member since December 2010 and you still eat that garbage? Raman? Really?

I was a "starving college student" once. All I can say is, thank goodness my momma taught me to shop. And cook.

Lots of great advice here. Hope you take it. Good luck with your journey.

unsuspectingfish

Slow food is often cheap, but it takes time. Beans, lentils, cheap cuts of meat, whole chickens, eggs. Frozen or in-season fruit or vegetables is also a good deal.

THIS. Bulk foods go a LONG way and they're very cheap. I subsist mostly on rice, beans, dried and fresh fruit, and fresh veggies. It's just a matter of finding which ones are on sale and only buying as much as you can use before it goes bad. That practice will save you a LOT of money.

FlaxMilk

That was such a sweet response to my post--thank you! I'd love to hear how the falafel chick peas go--I love falafel (but apparently can't spell it!)

eudemonia

i feel you! for me, i look at circulars to see what's on sale, and buy accordingly.

for example:
onions - $0.80/ 2 lb bag
frozen veggies - $1/ 16 oz
chicken legs or thighs - $0.99/lb
fresh brocolli - $0.99/bunch

you'd be surprised how far you can stretch your buys. it took me a week and a half to finish 2lb of spinach, and that's with me eating them practically every day! when i get the value pack chicken, it takes me about a week or so to go through it. it's hard, but i believe it's possible to get by on about $15/week, you just have to be aware of the prices . also, when you buy things like shredded cheese or flour, those are things that you can use over an extended period, and it's not going to break the bank.

milaxx

Since I did some produce shopping today I thought I'd share. I do a monthly big shop but fresh produce needs to be replenish so I visit the produce market in between.

For $10 I got; 5 kiwi, 2 16oz containers of strawberries (one to eat, one to freeze for smoothies), 2 avocados, 5 medium pink grapefruit, a pint of baby bella mushrooms, and a 3 pack of romaine lettuce hearts. Who says you can't eat healthy on a budget?