Breakfast and lunch help!

Hey everyone! So I go shopping once a week, on a prettyyy tight budget. :)

Does anyone have ideas for healthy breakfasts that are cheap and low calorie? It can be a recipe!

And for lunches too! Things I could buy for and then have every day? Or make in bulk one day then eat for the rest of the week?

Thanks much! <3:)

Replies

  • Widadita
    Widadita Posts: 176 Member
    For breakfast I would suggest a bowl of oatmeal, 50 grams of oats + 250 ml of nonfat milk

    For lunch, a salad made of bell peppers, tomatoes, one tbsp of olive oil, can of tuna in water, boiled egg.

    These are cheap meals.

    You could also buy those frozen vegetables, not expensive at all. most of them are 400 grams per bag. so you can use one bag for two days (200 grams each day)
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    Breakfasts: old fashioned or instant oats, eggs, english muffins and peanut butter

    Lunch: maybe make a healthy casserole or crock pot dish (check out cookinglight.com) that you can use all week, cook a bunch of pasta with chicken and veggies and reheat all week. See what's on special at your local grocery then get creative.
  • jenniferwoodweeg
    jenniferwoodweeg Posts: 45 Member
    I use alot of pre-cooked frozen chicken breast strips. Although they can get a little pricey, they work well for one person and can be microwaved anytime-single serving for salads or meals..and are great tasting!
  • jenniferwoodweeg
    jenniferwoodweeg Posts: 45 Member
    I also like Publix brand(store brand) cereal-like generic wheaties and cherios. Cheaper, just as good
  • kellyskitties
    kellyskitties Posts: 475 Member
    We're on a tight budget too (most of the time). Focus on your priority foods first - mine are produce and protein. I shop Aldi's for produce - not sure if you have that option - but it's super cheap. Otherwise I sale shop. I look for meats under $3/pound and try to be flexible. Don't forget eggs - a good cheap vitamin rich protein. Once those are planned or purchased, the rest goes to the less necessary (for me) choices - almond milk, steel cut oats, cheese, cottage cheese, rice (cook weekly from scratch and freeze), spices, nicer meat cuts. Then what I consider treats - steak, sauces, dried fruit, fancy cheese. When the budget runs out, at least I started with my most core purchases. I count frozen and canned produce as produce to help when things look too pricey. I've also found some discounted things like steel cut oats at Big Lots if you happen to be there sometime.

    Try to underspend each week so you have a few dollars in case you come across a great deal later. That helps stretch your money in the long run. Freeze extra bulk stuff in individual servings also. A sandwich baggie easily holds a chicken breast. We usually buy chicken thighs - even cheaper.

    If you are a processed food eater - try couponing. You can acquire a lot for a little and it doesn't have to be hard to do. Just find an online blog that does match ups for your area. Most tell you by the date the coupon came out so you can just date your coupon packet and clip as you use. No big deal or organizing a bunch of paper scraps. I don't do this anymore, but could help some.

    I avoid processed things and simple carbs - like rice cakes, cookies, crackers. They don't fill me up and sometimes set off a binge so I rarely if ever will buy any of them anymore.

    On the water - I would suggest a filter pitcher and/or boiling like some suggested. Saves me a fortune. Our water is potable, but I'm water picky.
  • sweetlyybroken
    sweetlyybroken Posts: 209 Member
    I do shop at aldi! I just always feel so disorganized when I go..I don't know how to plan the produce I buy around organized breakfasts and lunches! By the way..I don't have to plan dinners except one a week to feed six people. Thank you though, that post did help me!

    I just need a good breakfast/lunch, cheap plan for one week.
  • kellyskitties
    kellyskitties Posts: 475 Member
    Super easy:

    Breakfast - an egg or two - boil ahead is always a good plan - plus some fruit (estimate a piece per day) - plus a grain (oats or rice is my choice)
    Lunch - my stand by is a BAS (Big A Salad) - I buy the artisan lettuces at aldi's and whatever veg is on sale. Prechop (good thing when you are mad). Store each veg in a separate plastic bowl. Build upside down salads a couple at a time for work (dressing on the bottom, then meat, cheese, other veggies, then lettuce. Can be done in a jar - I use a ziploc 4 cup tall bowl with a screw on lid. Invert salad just before meal time, shake it up, eat. I'd say go for at least 4-8 other veggies to add into salad then you have plenty and can mix them up some. Be sure you have some dressing. In a pinch, I'll do lemon, salt and olive oil.

    I carry a water bottle and a tea bottle with me. All from home and loaded with ice.

    Plus a couple pieces of fruit or few extra veg for snacks.

    So you'll hit aldi's - buy a lettuce box (artisan) (lasts longer than those dumb bagso salad), dressing, cheapest veggies and fruits (14 pieces fruit total minimum, 4-8 pkgs of veggies plus a couple if super cheap). I always throw in a couple lemons. Then protein - 7 total servings - tuna, fish fillets, chicken thighs, lean ground beef, other canned meats (I'm not usually a fan) and lunchmeat (careful - it's sold in ounces so the per pound price can be much higher than just meat). The servings would depend somewhat on you. I don't see tuna cans as 2 servings. 2 dozen eggs - 2 per breakfast plus a few left for salad toppings. YMMV. Throw in a bag of rice. Cheese if budget allows. Other items if budget allows.

    Each week boil the eggs, precook 7 servings rice and freeze. I presoak oats and eat them cold with almond milk too. George foreman grill the meats (or catch someone with a grill fired up). Chop the veg into bowls. BAM ready for a week. Use any extra fruits/veggies/cheese etc for snacks. Each night you can "bowl up" for the next day pretty quick with some plasticware and baggies. Refill the tea and water bottles (I leave room and add ice in the am). You just need a cute lunch box for it all :)

    Edited to add: Don't precut the lettuce - just prewash in the tub. Tear off as needed or it turns gacky.
  • sweetlyybroken
    sweetlyybroken Posts: 209 Member
    So many thank yous :) You're amazing.
  • Suzyp0414
    Suzyp0414 Posts: 22 Member
    I learned this on a diet awhile ago and it works perfect and takes about 5 minutes to cook I eat this everyday during the work week. But you definately need one of those small (6 or 7 inch) non stick skillets. I bought mine at Safeway for 10$. Buy a large carton of egg whites, bag of spinach and reduced fat shredded cheese.

    Spray cooking spray in the skillet
    throw in a large handful of spinach (takes about 1 to 2 minutes to wilt this) remove from skillet and put on a plate
    Re spray pan, pour in enough egg whites to cover the bottom of the pan or more if you want it thick
    cook about 2 minutes flip it (after a few days you will get the hang of how to do this perfect, I use a spatula)
    Put the spinach back in and a small sprinkle of the cheese and fold it
    I don't use salt but I do put hot sauce on it and it makes a perfect guilt free small breakfast omelette everyday!

    Very cheap and these supplies will last all week! Plus your already starting your day out right with nutrients!

    Ok I'm not done. While this is going on the stove I get together my lunch. I buy lettuce and wash it a cut it and store it in tupperware as soon as I get home from the store. I keep a package of turkey deli meat at work and salad dressing. So in the morning I put the lettuce in a single serving tupperware, grab a tomato/avacado or whatever is available. I usually grab a string cheese or some fruit as well. So once you get to work on your break you open the lettuce, throw in some turkey, slice the avacado or tomato and your dressing is already there. Cheap/quick/healthy/convenient.