How to Diet with no Money
chaffinc
Posts: 5 Member
I am currently unemployed. I want to use this time to get healthier and lose weight because I finally have time to cook meals and exercise. When I go to the store to buy mostly fresh produce and proteins my grocery bill triples! Because I have 0 income I feel pressured to buy things that will last longer and cost less such as Ramen Noodles, Beans, Rice, Pasta, etc. I know that these things should not be the bulk of what I am eating but my cabinets are empty and I don't know what else to do. I am truly always HUNGRY. Even though I have been more active, I have actually gained weight because of my carb intake. I have $20 to buy my food for the next month. There has to be an affordable solution to this problem. Please Help.
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Replies
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Hahaha. Dieting with no money is easy... you don't buy food. I am sometimes on the forgot-my-wallet-diet all day at school. Super effective except I feel a little faint by 2.0
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I know that feeling. I am trying to feed 7 on a very, very tight budget. We eat ramen noodles ofter and other things like you said will last longer.0
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I am not ashamed to admit that sometimes I go to the store when they've just marked down produce and meats and get them at a pretty discounted rate. I then freeze or cook immediately.
I also coupon!0 -
Well first I'd suggest either seeking unemployment or benefits from the government, that is why it is there afterall, secondly, check out your local food pantry if you are in need of more options(many times they have some selections of fresh veg). I'd recommend things like turkey chili(ground turkey is bulk is cheap and you can use rice and beans to make large portions and freeze/refridge it). I'd recommend a site called Budget Bites, which focues on cheap recipes.0
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We are often unable to buy fresh foods due to budget constraints as well. If you cannot change your diet much, you can work on portion control. That's how I've lost my weight so far.0
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Hahaha. Dieting with no money is easy... you don't buy food. I am sometimes on the forgot-my-wallet-diet all day at school. Super effective except I feel a little faint by 2.
yep. I've been on THAT diet a few times.0 -
Okay, real answer... 20 dollars for the month is pretty tight. I used to do 20 a week, and that was tight. Buy dry rice and beans, some cheap frozen chicken, some cheap fresh produce, and maybe some canned or frozen. It's going to be pretty bland and repetitive, but you can probably stretch through a month that way. Try Asian and Hispanic markets for cheap meat / produce / rice and beans. Seriously, I'd hit up a food pantry / food bank and supplement it with that if there is one local that you qualify for.
BTW: a diet of rice and beans is pretty nutritious and a lot of the world subsists on that. Nix the noodles though, and go for brown rice.0 -
Well first I'd suggest either seeking unemployment or benefits from the government, that is why it is there afterall, secondly, check out your local food pantry if you are in need of more options(many times they have some selections of fresh veg). I'd recommend things like turkey chili(ground turkey is bulk is cheap and you can use rice and beans to make large portions and freeze/refridge it). I'd recommend a site called Budget Bites, which focues on cheap recipes.
Is this the website?
http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/0 -
Planning. Your on a super tight budget so you have to counteract that with knowing what you can get then work it all out ahead of tome.0
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we skip dive a few times a week. thats right. i jump into a dumpster at night and get a lot of awesome produce. thats how i do it. Its not bad food. if there is a whole bag of oranges and one is squished they throw the whole bag out cause they cant sell it i get them, take them home and wash them. all kinds of things get thrown out that arent expired or bad. so i take them all home and eat good and healthy.0
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My advice would be to go to a cheaper frozen food shop and you can stock up on your fruit and veg in frozen form….much cheaper than freh and wont go off!0
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Ramen Noodles, Beans, Rice, Pasta, etc......whatever, it is what it is...include some muli-vitamins and worry not.
I've been where you are.
Never forget these lean times, because when things get good, your appreciation for life's blessings will remain.
Just make the best of this situation and stay motivated.
No matter the challenges, no matter the trials, no matter the setbacks.
Just stay inspired, motivated and always push hard toward your goals.
All Is Possible!0 -
try finding a cheaper frozen food shop for veg .. we have shops such as iceland , farmfoods and herons here in the UK , which are all towards the cheaper end of food pricing0
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This is a great time of year for frozen veggies to be on sale0
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I would get those cheap staples you mentioned and mix them with the fresh produce and meat. Don't knock frozen veggies either.0
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$20 a month isn't even $1 a day. I don't know how you can possible eat, let alone eat healthy, on that budget.
Beans and brown rice are a very healthy combination. Add in some cheap veggies like carrots, celery, cabbage, and canned tomato sauce, and you have a very low cost, high fiber meal that will keep you full for a long time.
Oatmeal is also very inexpensive, filling, and good for you.
Eggs make an inexpensive protein, as does canned tuna. Powdered milk is less expensive than liquid.
I think the first priority has to be increasing your budget if you're not going to be on a very minimal, near starvation diet. If a job isn't coming quickly, consider asking friends for a loan, using credit, or applying for food stamps. It is just not a sustainable budget.0 -
Lentils, peas, beans, etc are good sources of protein that don't cost very much per serving.
You can use these to make soups, stews, salads, and a surprising array of things like "meatballs" or "burgers".
When I was really struggling financially, I would splurge on a whole chicken and roast it.
One meal would be roast chicken thigh/drumstick. I would use one breast for another dinner (on its own with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes), the other breast for another dinner (flavoring up a stirfry), and the other leg/incidental back meat to expand and flavor some thing like enchiladas with black beans a sweet potatoes.
Then I'd save the carcass plus any vegetable scraps to make chicken broth for soup.
Used to call that "rubber chicken" because of how far I could stretch it!
Seconding the notion that you might be able to get some temporary assistance from an emergency food bank. That's what they're there for. You might not get your choice of favorites, but you will get some decent things that won't cost your budget.0 -
Buy frozen vegetables. They're not as nutrient-packed as fresh produce, but they are healthy, cheaper, and they last a lot longer than the fresh stuff!0
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Well first I'd suggest either seeking unemployment or benefits from the government, that is why it is there afterall, secondly, check out your local food pantry if you are in need of more options(many times they have some selections of fresh veg). I'd recommend things like turkey chili(ground turkey is bulk is cheap and you can use rice and beans to make large portions and freeze/refridge it). I'd recommend a site called Budget Bites, which focues on cheap recipes.
I second that website! I went from spending $200 a week to $50 a week using that site. I was feeding 2 people and still buying my very expensive protein shakes from costco that we both drank every morning. =P0 -
How much to you have to spend weekly? I have to feed a family of 4, and I can do it with coupons and sales for about $100. This is with a lot of fresh produce, meats ( chicken mostly, sometimes pork or beef ) and a limited amount of pasta/breads.0
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Sounds like you need some temporary help from the governement. Dont be ashamed of asking for food stamps, that is what they are there for! Also, I think it would be awesome to actually see someone use foodstamps for fruits and veggies rather than cake, pizza, and soda....0
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First, admit the situation sucks. Second, get ready to stretch your dollar and improve your cooking skills. There have been some good tips on here about getting bulk, food pantry and sale items; these are all good ideas. But what you'll want to do is get all the cheap stuff prepared into meals that are both healthy and enjoyable. It is possible, but it will take some practice. It is glib to say that this is an opportunity, but it is. Not only can you make good food and lose weight, the feeling of accomplishment will help you get through the days of unemployment. Trust me, I've been there too. Best of luck.0
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By in BULK!
split peas
legumes
brown rice
veggies, bruised ones taste just fine when you have $20 to spend
save every bit of them to onion skins to potato peels etc. and make your own broth for soups
Dollar Store shopping food section
Plan ahead, scour the net for ideas
Search on MFP in the archives for a billion awesome threads on this topic, lots of great idea were shared.
Food Net or Food Pantry if you qualify, Asian Markets etc. for very very low cost dry good and delicious veggies
There is food out there and help is available, if you have to swallow your pride and cut back all extras in your life to do it.
We make our choices of what's most important, wasting money on quick junk food for two days or a load of legumes, bruised veggies, soy, etc.
The sky is the limit, it's actually a fun time when the chips are down and you get to see how resourceful you actually are.
Loads of great thread have been shown on this very topic!0 -
First of all, I feel for you. My husband and i went through a very tough financial time. Being jobless affords you a good amount of exercise time! Don't feel guilty--use the time! The energy that exercise will return to you will feed your stamina to search out a good job! The open highway is the largest, cheapest gym in the world--go run--go walk!
With regard to food--a few tips... Avoid anything branded or packaged. Find a good local farmers market for fruit/veges--they will be fresher and cheaper. Buy bulk eggs--if you can't afford a costco or sams membership, you can buy one of their giftcards at the store for any amount and then shop there without a membership. If you live somewhere where there is growing this time of year, meet up with local farmers etc and offer to volunteer a few hours a week in exchange for some really healthy produce. I have a sort of "roll up your sleeves" approach to getting what you need.
$20 is a real challenge for a month of groceries! Avoid the low fiber carbs--they simply make you hungrier as you gain weight eating unproductive/empty calories!
Here's my favorite cheap/healthy foods:
eggs (focus on the whites)
sweet potatoes
tomatoes (1 tomato greased with olive oil, doused with salt/pepper and baked in oven is a delicious meal!)--on the surface, not cheap but super beneficial and can serve as a whole meal.
Nothing wrong with buying thighs--just trim the fat. You cook those long enough and they really lean out.
Good luck and the $ will come. Focus on your good health--that no one can afford to lose!0 -
There's nothing wrong with beans, rice and pasta, you just have to watch your portions. Frozen veggies are just as nutritious as fresh and are much cheaper. Canned tuna packed in water is a good protein source. Watch for chicken breast on sale. Frozen fish can often be cheap if you don't buy the fancy types.
Since you have time to cook create combo meals using those ingredients together in a stir fry. As long as you stay in your calorie budget it doesn't matter what the food is that you're eating as far as weight loss goes.0 -
Right, now is not the time to focus on anything other than working with what is real and possible.I am currently unemployed. I want to use this time to get healthier and lose weight because I finally have time to cook meals and exercise. When I go to the store to buy mostly fresh produce and proteins my grocery bill triples! Because I have 0 income I feel pressured to buy things that will last longer and cost less such as Ramen Noodles, Beans, Rice, Pasta, etc. I know that these things should not be the bulk of what I am eating but my cabinets are empty and I don't know what else to do. I am truly always HUNGRY. Even though I have been more active, I have actually gained weight because of my carb intake. I have $20 to buy my food for the next month. There has to be an affordable solution to this problem. Please Help.
You don't gain weight cause of high carbs. You don't lose weight by eating protein.
You want to lose weight, burn more calories than you consume, that's it. Don't make it complicated. That means you can eat, ramen noodles, beans, rice, pasta etc... just stay under your calories.
Forget macro's, diets and anything outside your budget.
When funds permit, sprinkle your grocery list with lean meats, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, low fat dairy, whole grains and some supplements if you like.
One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.
Albert Schweitzer0 -
Ramen Noodles, Beans, Rice, Pasta, etc......whatever, it is what it is...include some muli-vitamins and worry not.
I've been where you are.
Never forget these lean times, because when things get good, your appreciation for life's blessings will remain.
Just make the best of this situation and stay motivated.
No matter the challenges, no matter the trials, no matter the setbacks.
Just stay inspired, motivated and always push hard toward your goals.
All Is Possible!
My new hero!0 -
You don't gain weight cause of high carbs. You don't lose weight by eating protein.
You want to lose weight, burn more calories than you consume, that's it. Don't make it complicated. That means you can eat, ramen noodles, beans, rice, pasta etc... just stay under your calories.
Some people do gain because of carbs... I can eat 1600 calories of 200 carbs a day and I WILL gain weight. If I eat 1600 cals of 50 carbs and high fat I lose weight... So just staying under calories doesnt ALWAYS work.0 -
Buy things in bulk. If there is a health food store or an Asian grocery store nearby--shop there. The prices are usually cheaper (esp. at an Asian grocery store) and you can buy things like brown rice, which is healthier than ramen, in bulk. Don't forget about frozen produce! When there's a sale (like 10 packets of frozen spinach for $10), I just stock up and end up eating a lot of spinach. What really helped me, when I had no money, was soup. I made a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week and just ate it everyday. It was super cheap. Black bean soup and lentil soup are both really cheap to make. I can make a big pot of lentil soup for about $6 and it lasts me for a week!0
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legumes are actually pretty good for you and filling, as well as a good source of protein...add some meat in small quantities to make it a complete protein. Buy dried legumes (various beans, split peas, lentils, etc) and prepare them at home (they go a long way and are dirt cheap). Serve them with brown rice or other whole grains like quinoa, couscous, etc
If you have or have friends who have memberships to Coscto or Sam's Club, stock up on meats and freeze them...also things like canned tuna and canned salmon which can be purchased in bulk at these types of stores and you can save a lot of $$. I personally recommend frozen fruits and veg to fresh if you're on a budget...they seem to be cheaper and go a bit further...they also usually have more nutrients than fresh.
If you haven't done so, you should look into assistance such as food stamps...no shame in it.0
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