New Member Grocery Shopping Today on New Teacher Salary

chauge87
chauge87 Posts: 9
in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone, I'm new to myfitnesspal but I've used calorie counters before. I haven't done serious calorie counting in awhile, so I need advice
Grocery shopping today on a low budget for healthy, low Cal items. Suggestions?

Replies

  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    Dried beans and lentils! Such a fantastic source of protein at a very low cost! Make sure you get some chicken or vegetable base to use in the soaking liquid.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I usually cruise the produce aisle first and pick up things that look especially good and/or are at a low price. Dried beans and lentils are good, cheap protein. Quinoa is a terrific grain for nutrition. I only buy frozen veggies when they are on special and then I stock up.
  • trixiemou
    trixiemou Posts: 554 Member
    My suggestion would be to have a think about the week ahead and plan what sort of meals you want to have. That way you have a better chance of purchasing what is necessary. Less wastage as you can use the some of the same ingredients and make different meals. cereals are a good mix as they can also be used for an evening snack if you are feeling peckish. I always have those ryvita type and other low cal crackers, so again if I need something i can have them with peanut butter, cheese spread, jams or a hard boiled egg at breakfast. Tinned tuna, tinned tomato and dried pasta, a meal just waiting to be put together.
  • Cjoseph03
    Cjoseph03 Posts: 107 Member
    Lentils and Quinoa are wonderful choices! Even together! Yum! Add a little low sodium spices in a slow-cooker and BAM! Meals for a week! I also try to go bread free or low bread. High carbs/sugars/cals. Protein keeps you full. Look up oatmeal recipes. I've never been fond of oatmeal but the overnight steel-cut oats (and I don't cook them first) are awesome! I love the texture of them and the taste is amazing when mixed with some greek vanilla yogurt, chocolate ovaltine and peanut butter. There's always ways to take what you love and tweek it a bit to fit your needs. I find that not buying the chips/soda/snacks gives me more money to use towards better meats/veggies/fruits. Play around with it. It make take a while to find out what works for you.
  • PaprikaPrincess
    PaprikaPrincess Posts: 89 Member
    Smucker's natural peanut butter, greek yogurt in the large tubs, bag of frozen chicken tenderloins, frozen broccoli, frozen stir fry vegetable, block of extra sharp cheddar cheese, black beans dry, sweet potatoes, triscuits or wasa crackers, apples, bananas, tub of organic spinach, eggs, oatmeal, milk, bread, Newman's own salad dressings, rice, fire roasted tomatoes, pasta, lean ground beef... These are staples for me and my family. If I have these I can whip up something to eat. If you can add spices overtime ( paprika, chili powder, hot sauce, etc.) I also need coffee!
    When I was starting out I would buy stir fry vegetables, make up a half container of ramen noodles, a few chicken tenderloins and a sauce of peanut butter, hot sauce and a bit of soy sauce for el cheapo pad Thai. Ramen noodles are not healthy but in moderation can be okay.

    If you live near Trader Joes, I can't say enough positive about the quality of the frozen vegetables and dairy items. They have a fair produce section and they price by item which will help your budget. Ethnic markets can be a cheap source of staples.
  • chauge87
    chauge87 Posts: 9
    Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'm fully stocked and ready to get this started
    :)

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