Eating well with no money

If you don't have any money, you'll starve. But if you have some money, spend them on cheap real food ingredients and cook your own food, instead of on convenience food. Yes, this means that you have to plan your meals, to look for cheap and nutritious foods, and to cook.

Cheap real foods include, but are not limited to: Eggs, chicken, pork, tuna, milk, oatmeal, oil, butter, peanut butter, frozen vegetables, fruit and berries, canned beans and tomatoes, fruit and vegetables in season (you DON'T buy "fresh" strawberries in January), all-year sturdy fruit and vegetables (apples, oranges, bananas, potato, sweet potato, cabbage, broccoli, cucumber), rice, pasta, dried beans and lentils. Look for store brands and sales, but also look at unit price. Buy as large quantities you can, if the price is right, and if you can store it properly. Build up a collection of different grains, spices, legumes, theres are versatile and keep for a long time.

Cheap real foods does NOT include "health food", "organic", high-end, name brand, wild-caught, "low fat" or "diet" food, bottled water, protein bars, meal replacements, juices. Buy precut/washed/small quantities when/if it really saves you money (if it spoils, it goes to waste, it's money down the drain).

Do not feel compelled to create complicated dishes with lots of fancy ingredients. You can use any recipe you want, from any source - as long as the dish is made from real food ingredients, and prepared properly, it will be healthy. Most ingredients can also be substituted or left out. Learn the basics of cooking (they aren't difficult). Buy and cook food you like, because it's important that you eat it up. Anything you have to throw out, is money you've lost. But also be kind to yourself, and forgiving, as you are learning life skills.