Poverty and diet

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ChaiMagic
ChaiMagic Posts: 13 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey all

So this is embarrassing to admit, but I don't really know where else to turn to. What should I do to keep to my diet when I'm living in poverty? There's a lot of days were I don't really have anything to eat, or am only able to eat carb laden cheap foods like rice and potatoes and noodles. How do I make sure I'm eating healthy, or that I'm at least hitting the 1200 calorie minimum? Does anyone have any tricks for this?

Chai
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Replies

  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
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    Keep on keepin' on.....................
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
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    Keep on keepin' on.....................

    man, I must have missed a good lot of posts...
  • Swiftdogs
    Swiftdogs Posts: 328 Member
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    Beans/legumes are a good source of protein, and filling. Most groceries have sections for meats and produce that are getting a little old. Good luck!
  • ebbingfat
    ebbingfat Posts: 117 Member
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    Try looking around to see if you have any grocery co-ops in your area. A lot of them have bulk foods sections where you can get all kinds of things by the pound. I'm lucky enough to have one up the street from me, and it makes cooking on a budget so easy. That way, you can just buy what you need instead of having to buy whole packages of things. It makes it really easy to buy food for a meal if you only have a couple dollars to spend.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
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    You'll be happy to hear that --for strict weight loss alone-- the type of foods you eat do not matter at all.

    One professor of nutrition ate nothing but "junk food" and lost 27 lbs to prove to his students that it really is total intake, not types of food, that is responsible for weight loss. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/

    For health, you'll want to eat a balanced diet, but carbs are not inherently bad. There's no reason to avoid them.

    Also, 1200 calories is probably not enough for you. Try using a TDEE calculator to find your approximate energy requirements for fat loss. Try this one: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
  • sheedy17
    sheedy17 Posts: 128
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    If you are on a budget and sometimes cannot afford food and don't hit your calories, try drinking a liter of water before you eat, it will fill u up and keep you full and then when you do get hungry, drink another liter of water as if it is a meal, I am not suggesting to just drink water, but in your situation, you should try to consume alot of water, could keep you going and make you feel full from time to time.

    Its really hard to give tips without food, I know your situation isn't the greatest but your body needs fuel to properly function, hope everything works out for you
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 673 Member
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    I've spent the better part of the past year homeless, currently in a program to help me get out of the situation. Food stamps have been incredibly helpful, as have food banks. Eggs are a good, cheap source of protein if you're like me and hate the texture of beans. I scour sales flyers in the hopes that my favorites will be on sale. Sometimes i go without. I've been known to eat a bowl of dry grape nuts! Sometimes I'll even treat myself with food that some people would be appalled that someone would buy with food stamps!
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,220 Member
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    Food pantries offer lots of canned goods. Usually vegetables and sometimes canned chicken or tuna. For weight loss alone it doesn't matter if all you ate was carbs. If you can get beans they have protein.
  • m0dizzle
    m0dizzle Posts: 101 Member
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    Rice, beans, legumes, frozen vegetables, all pretty cheap and good for you!
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
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    Rice, potatoes, and noodles are a great start. Beans (by them in bulk and dry, cook in a slow cooker, or on the stove, according to direction) have been the backbone of my family's diet when we were in extreme poverty. Eggs and big frozen bags of chicken breasts or thighs can be had when money allows, and will provide the most protein per dollar. Giant canisters of oatmeal for breakfast, and "day old" produce (seriously, ask the produce manger for this, it can't hurt to score some bruised, but clearly edible produce).

    Don't worry about getting loads of protein. If you hit 30-60g a day (I can't believe I'm saying, this, but it's true--100g is NOT vital for optimal, normal health), you're doing GREAT. Yep, you'll be eating the same damn thing every day, but you'll be maintaining your health, even through a difficult life trial.

    Also, do NOT be ashamed to seek out resources such as a food bank or, if you qualify, food stamp benefits or any public assistance. That's what it's for--for people who've fallen and need a hand up.
  • ChaiMagic
    ChaiMagic Posts: 13 Member
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    Thanks everyone for the replies and advice. I'm currently on the waiting list for EBT/Food stamps in my area, so hopefully things won't be so bad soon. It's heartening to know that as long as I'm taking in less than I'm putting out, I'll still lose weight. Right noe my calorie limit is 1500 a day, so hopefully I'll be able to work it out. Thanks again everyone for your help and kind words.
  • FireOpalCO
    FireOpalCO Posts: 641 Member
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    If you qualify for assistance, take it. If there are food banks in your area, visit them.

    Dry beans are a great choice that others have mentioned. Very inexpensive and can be livened up with some spices or maybe some bacon or shredded chicken added. Don't forget couscous, it's also very inexpensive in it's traditional form (not instant).

    Frozen fruits and veggies can be cheaper then fresh or canned per serving. Keep an eye out for sales, of course you want to skip the fancy steamer bags.

    Store brand is your friend.

    I had a tight budget in college and quite often dinner was just a baked potato, that's a perfectly fine dinner.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
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    Frozen bagged veggies are usually on sale, or the store brand ones are pretty cheap. I love them! You can throw in any spices or even butter. I also get rice cheap as well. You could make a veggie stir fry with the rice and veggies. I saw someone else mentioned canned beans, I love them also. They are good source of protein. definitely look at the sales flyers and see what's on sale each week and try to plan around that. I hope the food stamps come quickly for you :-) I know it can be a rather long wait sometimes. I've been on them before when my Son was a baby. It's nothing to be embarrassed about at all. Good luck to you!! :-)
  • ChaiMagic
    ChaiMagic Posts: 13 Member
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    :P the worst part for me is that I'm a culinary student, so just going to class really teases me. On the plus side, my back garden should be ready to harvest soon. I'll have all the cucumbers and melons I can eat.


    On another note: what about sodium? A lot of the cheaper food brands are just loaded with it. I know sodium is one of those things you need to be careful of. How do I mitigate the problem?
  • MelisMusing
    MelisMusing Posts: 421 Member
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    Have you looked into the Food Depot? I know in some cases you can go and pick up produce and healthy stuff- you should look into it.

    http://www.thefooddepot.org/

    I live in NM- I feel you. I know it's hard. Keep your head up.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
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    It's a tough situation, and I lived like that for many years. Here are some thoughts:

    For meat: Shop sales and buy in bulk when you can.

    For fruits and veggies: Perhaps you can grow some? It doesn't take much of an investment, pots and seeds and dirt and a sunny corner. If you have the time/space to take care of them, it could really help.

    ETA: I should've read all the posts before I posted, I see that you already have a garden, so good for you!
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
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    On another note: what about sodium? A lot of the cheaper food brands are just loaded with it. I know sodium is one of those things you need to be careful of. How do I mitigate the problem?

    I only worry about sodium when I'm retaining water. When I'm bloated i can tell.

    After that I don't think you need to worry about it too much unless you hit a weight loss plateau. Like the others said, as long as you are hitting your calorie goals, you should still lose.
  • Itskaleena
    Itskaleena Posts: 157 Member
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    Stock up on beans and legumes when you can. If you can by in bulk.
    cans of tuna and chicken are usually pretty cheap.
    plan oats are also a good buy.
    shop for produce that is in season or at farmers markets.

    If you can talk to your local store manager and see if you can buy the foods that are past the sell by date for a cheaper price.
    it's still safe to eat but they have to throw it out so see if you can get it on a discount.
  • IlluminatedMayhem
    IlluminatedMayhem Posts: 177
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    When things get tight for us we turn to beans, eggs, brown rice (a little more expensive but better for you), frozen or canned fruit and veggies canned tuna, apples, bananas and potatoes. When its on sale we look for other fresh fruit or veggies and boneless skinless chicken breast.
  • FireOpalCO
    FireOpalCO Posts: 641 Member
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    On another note: what about sodium? A lot of the cheaper food brands are just loaded with it. I know sodium is one of those things you need to be careful of. How do I mitigate the problem?

    The issue of sodium is usually in heavily processed foods that are treated to be made shelf stable or palatable for reheating (frozen dinners). It will not be a concern with frozen fruits and veggies or dried beans/rice/couscous. Stuff you buy canned, look for low sodium versions.

    Since you are a culinary student, you probably realize that anything you buy that has them do the extra steps, cost more. Boneless skinless chicken costs more then just a whole chicken, prime cuts (breasts) will cost more then thighs.

    A crockpot will be your friend, cook beans all day, make chicken & dumplings, etc. and have several days worth of food in one go.

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