Healthy eating on a ramen budget

chicken and peppers and onions, frozen veggies and cheese. Use your imagination. With those things, not much can go wrong. I'm a single mom of 2 making not much more than you with no help from the "dads" so I know what you're going through. Oh, pasta and marinara sauce is good too.

I did a Google search and found this article: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/cheap-healthy-15-nutritious-foods-about-2-dollars?page=2

Also, my wife and I just signed up for a local CSA (community supported agriculture) crop share. Every week we pay only $19 for a box of fresh, local, organic produce. It may be worth looking into what is available in your area because this is definitely saving us a lot of money on produce - and it's organic!

Good luck!

Costo or Sam's club. You can buy meat in bulk and freeze it. Their produce is good, too! Then throw meat, veggies/beans, and broth/sauce in a crock pot and make brown rice. You will have dinner for days Buying produce at a farmer's market is both economical for you and your local farmers. Spinach, peppers, and tomatos make great salads. Top that with chicken or tuna. The thing is, when you buy fresh produce/food, you have to just shop more often so you aren't throwing away rotten food... that's when eating healthy becomes expensive.
The Biggest Loser did something about this... they each were able to eat for $10/day eating fresh produce/meat. Coupon clipping is another great way to save $$$

Frozen fruit and veggies are cheap

Make things in bulk and freeze them. Use some ingredients for multiple purposes. I purchased a whole chicken. Baked it one night and we had it for supper. Wrapped whatever was left and stuck it in the fridge. The next day, I took the rest of the chicken off of the bones, and boiled the bones for broth. Then we had chicken soup, and there's still leftover chicken for sandwiches for today.

I made the SkinnyTaste Italian Turkey Meatballs and Marinara sauce one night. We had that for supper. There was a LOT of sauce left over, so I froze it. The next time we have spaghetti, I will thaw that and use it as sauce!

If your family is willing, cut out meat a few nights a week - lentils, beans, vegetarian meals... that will help stretch the budget.

The best thing to do is to preplan. Find the recipes (www.skinnytaste.com)(http://www.cookinglight.com/food/top-rated-recipes/best-budget-recipes-00412000074866/)(http://family.go.com/food/pkg-budget-recipes/cheap-dinner-recipes-pg/) -- modify them for your budget. If it calls for fresh veggies, substitute for frozen. Check to see what crazy ingredients can be substituted for cheap/easy to obtain ingredients. When you have those plans, shop for the ingredients. Look for sales and coupons. Cook and freeze.

Good luck!!

Hey! Like you I'm on a budget so I have to be careful how I do things... I tend to try and buy things that I can then make from scratch as this is cheaper.

I never use beef mince, turkey or pork mince is cheaper. I bulk everything out with veggies, particularly mushrooms, carrots and broccoli (I keep all my veg in the fridge as it lasts longer and is less prone to go off!)

I make a lot of 'old fashioned' food because it uses cheaper (and normally healthier cuts of meat) lots of stews, shepherds pie, low carb lasagne (the hairy bikers kind), pasta bakes (use a tablespoon of philli and some skimmed milk to thin it out and make it go further) Use bacon in the pasta bake and veggies rather than chicken because it's cheaper. I take sandwiches that I have made to work.

If you can go to a local butcher or grocer rather than the supermarket for meat and veg. It might cost a bit more to buy initially (although I haven't found that to be the case it's normally cheaper IMO) you will get a lot more for your money. £2 of cherries for example I will ALWAYS get more from the grocer.

Also, if you're really struggling you can get really good deals on frozen fruit and veg if you use them for cooking or baking.

I don't know if any of this helps... I hope so xx

Are you from the UK or USA?

I'm from the UK, and now buy my weekly shopping from Aldi. For a weeks shopping for 2 adults and a 7 year old child, I spend £30. This includes all meals.

Vegetables are actually cheap to buy - I buy courgettes, peppers, red onions, mushrooms and stir fry these with some tinned chopped tomatoes. This will make 2 meals, with a baked sweet potato and some cheese on top. Meal cost works out to be around £2. I sometimes add kidney beans and chilli powder and eat it with rice or pasta instead - both of which are cheap staples to have in the cupboard, and packets I can buy from 50p a bag (for the essential / shops own brand).

Another cheap meal is poached eggs and toast with beans. It works out to cost (for me) around £0.60 a meal with two eggs and two slices of toast, and half a tin of beans (again all shops own brand) I know this is basic, but it really fills you up. I am planning on having this tonight. It's good for me because I don't get in until around 5:30 so I want a quick dinner before I'm putting my daughter to bed.

Chicken is obviously really good for you - but I can find it quite expensive. Some supermarkets sell them frozen, which I find is cheaper, and I just defrost it ahead of time. Try turkey instead, turkey breasts or mince - this is cheaper than Chicken.

We're i the same situation and I tend to write a shopping list before I go, planning the weeks meals and don't buy anything extra. As I said I usually spend £30 (more if I'm buying washing powder or other essentials). I'll always buy brand own, I know there is a difference but I just can't afford it right now, and it works for me!!

Good luck

I find frozen store brand veggies to be quite reasonable. Also frozen is supposedly much better than canned b/c it doesn't contain all the sodium or preservatives. Also try to get fruits in season, you can also try frozen fruits b/c they last longer. Also if there is a farmers market you may get some better deals. You can always swap ingredients in recipes if you can't find it or if they are too expensive. Good luck!

Frozen veggies are wonderful! I get them at Kroger, Kroger brand, mostly a dollar a bag - or when they're doing their 10 for 10. I'll use 2 bags of whatever- usually 1 broccoli and 1 onions and peppers mix. Toss in about 1 chicken breast, depending on size out of the package.. I don't weigh them but I eyeball size. It's probably 1/3 pound breast.. Anywho, stir-fry that together and add some chili peppers and soy sauce. done. So it's like 5 bucks? for the entire meal? Idk how to judge how many servings.. Cup wise or anything but it makes about 3-4 bowls.

I can totally relate to this (I won't even get into the amount of money I spent on 2 degrees at a private university)! I pretty much keep myself alive by shopping at Aldi. I always have cucumbers, green peppers, and baby carrots to snack on, and I kick off each morning in the office with their yogurt and granola bars. Dinners usually consist of their Fit & Active soups or whatever frozen fish they have on sale (made on the Foreman) with white rice and canned veggies. It's definitely a challenge at times but it's definitely achievable. Good luck!!!