Good food choices on a budget?

I'm on a tight budget and that is a lot like my list. I find sliced deli turkey is reasonable. Though it can be up to $6 for 1 pound, I get 1/2 pound and only put 2 ounces in my sandwich, so it makes it affordable. So, always weigh the options based on servings too. I found that eating within my calories (instead of over indulging) and not eating out as much that eating healthier is more affordable than you think.

I shop the weekly ad and that helps me get a variety of fruits/veggies each week or be able to stock up on frozen/steam veggies. I also look for coupons on sites like coupons.com but only use ones for things I know I'll eat or already plan on buying.

When chicken goes on sale I buy extra and freeze. Sometimes I can get split chicken breasts for .99/lb.

And, it depends on what processed foods you eat (especially with sodium levels), because right now Progresso soups around here are .88 and one can (about 2 servings) of light soup is 200 or less (for the whole can) and very filling. And, frequently during the winter it's usually affordable to get the ingredients to make your own healthy soups in the crockpot. Then freeze in serving sizes for later.

But, yeah, try to stock up on the staples when or if you can like the peanut butter (just picked up 2 jars last week for .99 each), rice, frozen veggies etc.

Well, that's my world anyway...hope it helps you.

Buy lots of kidney beans!!! High in protein and yummy, and if you want something quick and to go try making bean burgers out of them. You can also try quinoa burgers (though quinoa is a bit expensive). For the bean burgers all you need are kidney beans (like a hugs can is 2.00 the most), some flour, spices and herbs, water, and I believe oil. There are some great tutorials on Youtube for how to make them.

Also greek yogurt is inexpensive && great too lots of protein!!

I think what your buying is great it's just for me personally stuff like that doesn;t fill my appetite (trust me I know) so I would suggest putting stuff like that with some yummy protein.

Also a super veggie is Kale at my market you can get a bunch (huge stock) for only 2 bucks and you can steam it, make it with a stir fry, have it raw with a salad, and a bunch (stock) is only 33 calories so if you were eating a cup it would be less that 10 calories (if your trying to count).

Hope this helps!!

eating eggs is my favroite thing, when trying to get back some health, they are very well and filling, as low calo and high in the protein count.

also… don't know if you have an Aldi store near you. Amazing savings on fresh and frozen vegetables, fruits, and oats. I'd say 30 to 40%. You can get so much more for your money on fresh food. You are doing great. good luck.

In terms of healthiness per dollar, it is hard to beat a sack of potatoes.

I think your list sounds pretty good as it is. It is wonderful that you can get your proteins for free! Other things to consider, for variety's sake would be many some potatoes (yummy vitamins and potassium), dried beans (cheap, easy to make in a crock pot) and maybe rotate in some other grains (quinoa, couscous, etc.--you should be able to find these in the "bulk" section for about the same price as oatmeal) if you're prone to getting bored from just oatmeal.

If you guys are on that tight a budget for food, you probably qualify for food stamps. In most states, individidual food stamp allowances for low-income people aim at providing at least $40/week. It's worth sitting through the process of applying.

I'd swap that peanut butter out for things that are healthier and more filling, but that's very much what I'd buy (well, I'd get cottage cheese instead of yogurt, but that's because yogurt makes me gag.)

Food isn't cheap anymore, that's for sure!

Try a farmers market. You can often get great prices on very fresh fruits and vegetables that just aren't as aesthetically pleasing... Lopsided and such.

I found eating at home and healthy food is a lot cheaper than going out everyday and eating fast food. Buy only what you need and spend the bulk of your money on protein sources first! Cottage cheese, eggs, beans and the list goes on.
Edit: Look for farmers market.

TimothyFish wrote: »

In terms of healthiness per dollar, it is hard to beat a sack of potatoes.

This. Potatoes are great for you if you don't add a bunch of other stuff to it and are very filling. Frozen vegetables in the family size bags are a huge bang for your buck. You already have meat covered but nothing beats a bag of flash frozen skinless boneless Chicken breast that you can get pretty cheap. I've seen them as low as $7.00 on sale for a 5lb bag.

pinto beans! I bought a 25 lb bag for 13 dollars about 3 months ago, cook a batch once or twice a week, and still have over half the bag left! Beans are super healthy, high protein, easy to mix with other cheap food sources, and full of other nutrients!

giamegan wrote: »

eating eggs is my favroite thing, when trying to get back some health, they are very well and filling, as low calo and high in the protein count.

I also eat eggs all the time. I'll buy a couple of dozen and make egg muffins out of one and boil the other ones to always have hard boiled eggs as snacks available.