Food Choices...on a strict budget

Birdnicaj

Hon, the cheapest dinner is an omlette!!! That said, I buy whole chickens and cut them up, much cheaper. Also, to be well balanced, you can do pasta with a bag of frozen broccoli, garlic and some chicken - this one's great - it "stretches" the chicken and has the right protein carb ratio. If kids hate broccoli, try something else green.
Remember: cooking from scratch is always always always cheaper than buying pre made (crap).

Mellie289

Yogurt is amazing. People rave about Greek yogurt, but I find that it's just plain gross. Normal yogurt still has protein.
I eat eggs obsessively. With a million ways to cook them, there has to be a way that your kids will like.
Not totally sure, but I think there's some good string cheeses. I haven't had them since I was a kid, but they used to be my favorite.
Nuts are good, high in calories but delicious all the same.

I seem to get more protein when I don't try. It's everywhere -- dairy, meat (though I'm vegetarian), whole wheat breads and pastas, vegetarian faux meats, and everything else. Good luck finding something your kids like :flowerforyou:

Eggs, especially egg yolks, are really high in cholesterole. So I wouldn't advice eating them "obsessively". My mums cardiologist says 3 eggs a week max.

I eat about a dozen eggs a week and my cholesterol is just fine. I don't eat a lot of processed junk with added fat. Your body used some cholesterol so having eggs isn't going to do you in if your diet is full of healthy foods and not constantly over eating.

Edit to add link with scientific support that eggs aren't going to kill your cholesterol: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/7301/title/Reevaluating_Eggs_Cholesterol_Risks

Birdnicaj

PS. Rice, beans and chicken thighs.... :-)

Birdnicaj

Yogurt is amazing. People rave about Greek yogurt, but I find that it's just plain gross. Normal yogurt still has protein.
I eat eggs obsessively. With a million ways to cook them, there has to be a way that your kids will like.
Not totally sure, but I think there's some good string cheeses. I haven't had them since I was a kid, but they used to be my favorite.
Nuts are good, high in calories but delicious all the same.

I seem to get more protein when I don't try. It's everywhere -- dairy, meat (though I'm vegetarian), whole wheat breads and pastas, vegetarian faux meats, and everything else. Good luck finding something your kids like :flowerforyou:

Eggs, especially egg yolks, are really high in cholesterole. So I wouldn't advice eating them "obsessively". My mums cardiologist says 3 eggs a week max.

I eat about a dozen eggs a week and my cholesterol is just fine. I don't eat a lot of processed junk with added fat. Your body used some cholesterol so having eggs isn't going to do you in if your diet is full of healthy foods and not constantly over eating.

Mellie289

Hon, the cheapest dinner is an omlette!!! That said, I buy whole chickens and cut them up, much cheaper. Also, to be well balanced, you can do pasta with a bag of frozen broccoli, garlic and some chicken - this one's great - it "stretches" the chicken and has the right protein carb ratio. If kids hate broccoli, try something else green.
Remember: cooking from scratch is always always always cheaper than buying pre made (crap).

I do this and look out for big sales. I just bought two whole chickens last week for about $3 each and froze one of them. Had the chicken legs and one breast with some veggies (three meals) and used the rest in soup.

hlinn01

bump! I love Aldi's I also like that Wal-Mart will ad-match anything, wo you do not have to go to a million different stores to get the great deals.

stepgingerly

My girls just turned 5 and 6. I have a shelf on the fridge door for snacks - Lite yogurt, reduced calorie cheese sticks. Then on the table I keep apples and nuts - The kids love pistachios, and since you have to open them it slows you down so I don't eat a ton like I would other nuts... Best investment ever was a Lock-n-lock veggie tray (square and fits in my small side-by-side fridge). I make hummus in a separate bowl (has protein and WAY cheaper than buying pre-made- I always get lots of canned chickpeas when on sale), and just keep filling the veggie tray. Sometimes I just pull it out for a fast lunch if I'm out of time/can't think what to feed the kids. They are good with Carrots and Cucumbers, one of them will eat Broccoli, and the fourth spot I keep to try different things out on them. I put the hummus on roll-up sandwiches for a condiment for me and them. I also use the chickpeas to make Chole. (Spiced Chickpeas on allrecipes.com. Good protein, cheap recipe, the kids love it on brown rice.(I skip a little of the heat for them.)

Lalo_Nyc

You can add beans into your diet. There are so many varieties that should be able to find a kind you would like.

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/beans-legumes-highest-protein.php

Buy fresh if you can, canned if you want to just try out. Fresh beans can take a while to cook so look up online for different methods, etc. Here is one: http://www.vegancoach.com/how-to-cook-beans.html

Please, remember to rinse off beans specially if you buy in cans. This will take away the excess sodium, etc.
One last comment about beans. It will take your body a bit to get used to digesting the beans but after a while you will be fine. Lol.

Good luck,

Ed from NYC

shanpwn

I'm a grad student and I've been living on my own since I was 18. Learning how to cook is the best thing for your budget and health. One thing I make often? SOUP. Soup made from dried beans or lentils is cheap, delicious, easy, and filling. I also will buy a whole chicken, rub it with olive oil and lemon juice and whatever spices I'm feeling. I roast it for an hour, eat some that night and then pull the meat off the carcass and set it aside. I take the carcass, carrot peels, onion peels, bits of celery and spices, cover it with water and boil to make stock. Then I throw the chicken meat into the stock with carrots, kale, onions, and celery and have soup for two weeks easy. Like others have said, Greek yogurt is great and easy to make yourself for cheaper than it's sold in stores. Old fashioned oats with almond or skim milk and whey protein is another good option.

Honestly, set a day aside and cook for the week. Look up tutorials for cooking things from scratch on youtube (how I learned to make yogurt!) . Making your own food lets you control what's in it and is often tons cheaper.

TexasSunny

I used to buy my kids snacks that I don't like to eat.... like strawberries, pickles, etc.... Things I knew I would not munch on. I also got them to eat more veggies by melting cheese on theirs, but left mine nakey.

bekkaL85

Not sure where you live, but if you shop anywhere other than Aldi..you are paying to much for food. Sure it's generic food, but the brand name companies are the ones who make these products. I have never been able to taste the difference.

Buy cheese by the brick and not pre-shredded. It will save you money if you shred it at home. If you don't have a cheese grater, you can get one for about $10 or so for a metal box grater that will last until your grandkids graduate college.

Alot of the times, chicken will go on sale. And usually it's the good kind: boneless and skinless. Put some in the fridge and some in the freezer. Meat lasts for awhile in the freezer.

Pasta is cheap, and so is rice. Eaten in moderation...well...it is very filling if you add some chicken and veggies to it. Pour pasta sauce over your kids' portion and they don't really know the difference.

I use cereal instead of chips to curb crunchy cravings. You pay less for most of the big bags, and you eat less calories if you get the right kind. They also don't get all broken when transporting.

If you have a farmer's market near your house, go to it. They usually are cheaper. The one by my house also has a sales section with fruit and veggies that are just short of going bad. If you eat them in a day or two you save some money.

Ground turkey is cheaper than ground beef, and healthier for you. Don't tell your kids that you switched..and trust me, they won't know.

NEVER BUY FOOD PRE CUT! Like apples. You are paying more for no reason.

Go to stores that have you bag your own food. It takes a little more time for you when shopping, but because you bag your own stuff, the prices are down.

I only have my husband and myself to buy for (no kids) but we eat on a $40 budget a month.

ababyjane

someone mentioned it, but I also like the greek yogart. I mix it with oatmeal,nuts and even my kashi cereal. I dont drink much milk. But have started eating the string cheese also. I have the problem of getting too much protein. Still trying to get used to the well balanced meals. Just been at this for couple weeks, so still work in progress.

iWILLbeFit062012

I would cut out the animal crackers and cheese its for you and your kids. There's no nutritional value there and they're expensive. Add in fruits and veggies for snacks instead. Chicken, ground turkey breast, fish, string cheese, greek yogurts are all good healthy sources of protein.

Yes! You will save money by cutting back on the processed/boxed foods. Buy fresh veggies and fruit instead, and stick to what is in season for better prices. Dairy, meats, fish, and nuts all have good protein and healthy fats. If you and your kids like chicken nuggets, make your own by using herbs/spices you have in your pantry or get generic shake 'n bake. I did this for my daughter and she loved it! There are many boxed/frozen meals like hamburger helper, chicken nuggets, pizza, etc. that you can make yourself for less $$ in the long run. As another poster mentioned, look for butcher deals in the meat dept. and cook and/or freeze before the exp. date. Best of luck to you!

alli_baba

I have another question, which yogurt is better. I tried Yoplait strawberry cheesecake yogurt and I honestly did not like the taste. I have resorted to eating frozen yogurt because regular yogurt was not good.

Greek yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt. I always buy the big tubs of plain greek yogurt at the Costco (about $5) and spoon a bit into a bowl and mix with peanut butter and cereal (generally granola but whatever is on hand). In a pinch, you could add some honey or stevia if you like it sweet (my husband adds chocolate chips :-) Kids seem to enjoy peanut butter yogurt, too.

butterflylover527

Also, look to see if you have an Aldi store near you. It RULES.
http://www.aldi.com/

Aldi is da bomb!!

Bumping for later!

jadums

I've been working on meals that I can make in great quantity and a low price so that no only can I pull meals quickly from the freezer, but I know what to buy when it's on sale. I try to combine a meat with a bean/lentil to keep protein high, fat content low, and costs down. Generally, I aim to spend about $1 on canned goods and $2/lb on meat/beans. I live in Canada so I don't know if the pricing will be the same. I also buy things in bulk (like rice, onions and carrots).

Here are some cheap recipes that I use regularly (keep in mind that you can alter the spices to match your flavour preference):

Pork Stew - 14 portions - 1 cup each

Chopped Onions 2 bulbs
Chopped celery 2c
Chopped carrots 2c
Diced Tomatoes 796ml can 4 cans
Canned Peaches and Cream Corn 1 can
Canned Black Beans 1 can
Garlic Powder 2 T (optional)
Cumin 1 T
Coriander 1T
Oregano 1T
Paprika 2 T
Pork Loin roast/stewing meat 1kg

Serve with Jasmin Rice 1/4c / adult / meal

1. Brown all sides of the pork roast in a hot pan so that the outsides are golden brown.
2. Place pork roast in a crock pot on high.
3. Add everything else but 2 cans of tomatoes. If you are worried about spices, then hold back and add more later.
4. Cook until the pork roast can be pulled apart by forks - about 6 hours.
5. Add everything into a very large pot (or half the ingredients over two pots) and add the remaining 2 cans of tomatoes. Adjust spices.
6. Freeze meal portions in tuppaware containers. (1 c/adult, 1/2c/child would be my guess)
7. Serve with rice

Red Lentil & Beef Sloppy Joes - 8 adult portions
Onions (chopped) 2
Ground Beef 1 lb
Garlic Powder 1T
Diced tomaotes 2 cans
Dry Red Lentils 1 cup
Ketchup 1/2 cup
Cider vinegar 2T
Worcestershire sauce 1T
Ben's Hamburger Buns 8
Olive Oil Margarine

1. Sweat onions in a bit of olive oil or margarine.
2. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain excess fat.
3. Add remaining ingredients and simmer on med (to med low) for 10-15 minutes or until lentils are tender.
4. Serve on toasted hamburger bun halves with side salad or green vegetable.
5. Freeze meal portions in freezer.

(adjust lentil content to your own preference)

Crockpot Chili: 10 adult portions

Ground Beef/turkey/pork 1 lb
Red Kidney Beans 1 can
Diced Tomatoes 796ml/can 2 cans
Onions chopped 3c
Carrots choped 2c
Celery chopped 2c
Cumin 1T
Cayenne 2t (optional)
Paprika 1T
Oregano 1T
Garlic Powder 1T (optional)

1. Brown beef in a pan and drain excess oil.
2. Add all ingredients into a crockpot on high.
3. Cook until well combined - 2 to 3 minimum, 6-8 hours is better.
4. Taste and adjust spices. Serve with rice.
5. Freeze meal portions.

jadums

Spaghetti & Homemade Meatballs

Ground beef 1lb
Garlic powder 2T
Oregano 1T (optional)
Egg 1
Salt & pepper to taste (1t each)

70g/pasta (1/4 box) /adult / meal ($1/box of pasta)
1 can pasta sauce (may not need all) / meal (should be $1)


1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Doing this by hand is easiest.
2. Divide meat in half.
3. Divide halfed meat in half again so you have four equal portions.
4. Divide each of the four portions into four more equal portions.
5. You now have 16 meatball portions of 1oz each You can make 32 smaller meatballs if you prefer.
6. Roll meatballs into a ball.
7. Brown meatballs in an oiled pan in batches of 8 so as not to steam them. (They can alternatively be baked in the oven).
8. Serve 3-4 1 oz. meatballs/adult with 70g pasta and canned tomato sauce.
9. Freeze meal portions of meatballs with pasta sauce. Cook pasta fresh each meal.

desirae1976

Beans! You can prepare them yourself or buy them canned, and they're inexpensive. Your kids may not like them if they are finicky, but they'll help you up your fiber and protein for a low cost.