Eating healthy on a very strict budget.
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Meal planning.
I'm feeding four people, including teenagers, on about 600 a month and we eat well.
You need to plan what you're going to eat and stick to it. And you need to cook for yourself and awful lot.
You also need to think about what your definition of "healthy food" is and why you think it has to be expensive?
Things we eat:
Brown rice, homemade sourdough bread, tortillas (flour and/or corn)
Beans of all kinds (especially black beans and garbanzos), lentils, split peas, mung beans
Nuts and nut butters
Cheese, butter, milk
Chicken thighs, ground beef, chuck roasts, pork chops, eggs
Frozen veggies, especially broccoli, cauliflower, kale, sweet potatoes
Fresh veggies, especially cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, turnips, beets
Basically, lots of things can be "cheap and healthy." There's nothing inherently "unhealthy" about rice, beans, potatoes, etc. What makes most things healthy or unhealthy is how they're prepared and how much of them you eat.5 -
WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »I've literally never seen nor heard of this until now. I guess it's kind of like shredded chicken and turkey forr meatballs and such?
The only thing I've ever used canned chicken for is chicken salad, like tuna salad0 -
You could also think about making your own bread or growing spices or smaller vegetables. Check out a book on square foot gardening from your local library. You can probably do some chili peppers, green onions and cherry tomatoes even if you have a small apartment balcony.
And bulk flour and yeast is cheaper and makes lots of bread as opposed to buying loaf after loaf.
Just something to think about.
Yes. Depending on where you live, I always recommend that people on a very small budget try to supplement by living off the land as much as they can. Think about how our grandparents lived. Grow a vegetable garden, go fishing each weekend, hunt if you can. I even recommended to one woman who lived on a farm to raise rabbits and chickens. Rabbits grow and multiply quickly and are a tasty source of protein. Chickens lay eggs and again are a tasty source of protein. If you live in a big city, I know this may be more difficult, but like @czvanut said, look into growing smaller vegetables/spices. And most people live not too far from a lake/river for fishing. Fill up your freezer if you can.1 -
You could also think about making your own bread or growing spices or smaller vegetables. Check out a book on square foot gardening from your local library. You can probably do some chili peppers, green onions and cherry tomatoes even if you have a small apartment balcony.
And bulk flour and yeast is cheaper and makes lots of bread as opposed to buying loaf after loaf.
Just something to think about.
Ya, I grew basil, parsley, and cilantro on my balcony when I was in an apartment. I love fresh herbs but they can be pricey and go bad quickly (except for parsley - keeps a long time in the frig with the ends in a jar of water.)
My cousin has a bigger balcony and had a whole garden up there.0 -
WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »Holy *kittens* what is "canned chicken"?!
I've used it for chicken salad, like tuna salad. I would also try it in pasta salad.
I wouldn't think it would be cheaper than raw chicken, but it sure is faster. It's a great, "Oh snap, I haven't put any planning into dinner" solution.0 -
Link ---> Safe for work
"here's something you cannot unsee" Canned whole chicken0 -
Link ---> Safe for work
"here's something you cannot unsee" Canned whole chicken
I'm guessing this is handy for people living through some type of apocalypse?!1 -
I do agree with most that buying in bulk usually makes the most sense, but get in the habit of comparing cost per 'X' (i.e. cost per ounce, gram, etc - varies on what you are buying) when looking at sales prices vs. regular.1
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I just started shopping at Aldi's recently and what a game-changer it is!!! It's the bomb!1
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If possible find a local farmer or plant a garden and fruit trees native to where you live. Seeds or starters are cheap and will give you months of food. You can freeze or can them and enjoy them all year. Once you purchase all the jars and a pressure canner you can use them for years and years. There is something very satisfying about growing or raising your own food. We planted all this for under $ 50.00. This is only one harvest and we typically get two harvests a year.
raise goats and sheep for milk and meat and have a large garden.
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WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »I've literally never seen nor heard of this until now. I guess it's kind of like shredded chicken and turkey forr meatballs and such?
It's already cooked, so it's not something I would use for meatballs. As others have said, it works for chicken salad, or anywhere else you might use cooked chicken that you've shredded or cubed from a whole roasted chicken or cooked chicken parts -- e.g., pot pie, mixing with barbecue sauce for "pulled" chicken sandwiches, appetizer spreads that call for cooked chicken, etc. I usually have one can on the shelf "for an emergency," and end up needing to use it so it doesn't expire because there's never an emergency.
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Bulk chicken, frozen veggies, rice, peanut butter, eggs, beans.0
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midlomel1971 wrote: »I just started shopping at Aldi's recently and what a game-changer it is!!! It's the bomb!
Yes!!! Love Aldi!0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Yes.
When I need to eat less expensively, I focus my diet on staples like oats, rice, beans (dried beans are cheaper than canned), potatoes, pasta, frozen broccoli, cabbage, carrots, onions, and canned tomatoes. Some basic spices will jazz up your meals. Hot sauce is good too, if you like heat. The freezer can be very helpful in eating this way -- you can cook a pound or two of beans in the crockpot, put them in individual containers, and freeze what you don't plan on eating within a day or two.
I don't personally eat meat, eggs, or dairy -- but I am sure some other people will have suggestions on how to eat for less with these items too.
I am vegan as well and a frugal vegan diet is actually sooo cheap. When ive needed to, I've lived off grains, beans, frozen veg, bananas, potatoes and dollar store condiments. Bulk shopping for dried goods and big bags of frozen veggies and frozen fruits are ideal and also no shame in coupons0 -
Meal planning.
I'm feeding four people, including teenagers, on about 600 a month and we eat well.
Sigh, I really envy you.
My wife said our family of 3 would literally die if she only spent $800 a month. I'm tired of arguments (over our daughter's overweight). So, whatever.
In our home it's some sort of an achievement if my wife could skip grocery shopping for 3 days. Her record is 2 days.
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endlessfall16 wrote: »Meal planning.
I'm feeding four people, including teenagers, on about 600 a month and we eat well.
Sigh, I really envy you.
My wife said our family of 3 would literally die if she only spent $800 a month. I'm tired of arguments (over our daughter's overweight). So, whatever.
In our home it's some sort of an achievement if my wife could skip grocery shopping for 3 days. Her record is 2 days.
We spend at least that plus take out its insane0 -
I spend $600-$700 a month and I have 6 kids. I *do not* cook unless all the leftovers are eaten.2
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Sigh, I really envy you.
My wife said our family of 3 would literally die if she only spent $800 a month. I'm tired of arguments (over our daughter's overweight). So, whatever.
In our home it's some sort of an achievement if my wife could skip grocery shopping for 3 days. Her record is 2 days.
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Any way y'all could plan your meals as a family? Shoot for healthier meals and a tighter budget but get everyone involved?0 -
joseccastaneda wrote: »Depends where you shop as well. I feed out family of 5 with about $400 a month by mostly shopping at Aldi.
Same here... family of 5, and on average I spend $200/mo. Aldi cut my grocery bill in half! Shop the sales, especially for meat. Check out NYT recipes for delicious ideas to prepare the least expensive cuts. We smoke a whole chicken ($0.95/lb) on Sunday and it stretches several meals. The carcass makes a gallon of stock which makes soups for lunch the whole week. I loooove legumes of all kinds, and happily they're super good for you (high fiber and decent protein for a plant) and about $1/lb when bought dried. They last a long time in your pantry so no waste. Funny, the cheapest stuff I buy (cabbage, eggs, potatoes) is the "healthiest," and the kids' snack food (goldfish, veggie straws, candy) is the most spendy.
It's definitely doable!2 -
endlessfall16 wrote: »Meal planning.
I'm feeding four people, including teenagers, on about 600 a month and we eat well.
Sigh, I really envy you.
My wife said our family of 3 would literally die if she only spent $800 a month. I'm tired of arguments (over our daughter's overweight). So, whatever.
In our home it's some sort of an achievement if my wife could skip grocery shopping for 3 days. Her record is 2 days.
It also depends on where you live. When I read Americans post things like $5 for a rotisserie chicken or $1 for a dozen eggs or sub-$1 prices for vegetables that would cost me three times as much, I have to wonder if they realize how lucky they are to have such inexpensive food.
Our monthly groceries are definitely over $800/month for four of us. Though that includes diapers and most of our toiletries.0 -
That's a big budget, I think. I spend 150 a month and I eat healthy foods. I don't buy candy, chips, etc. Totally doable.1
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SusanMFindlay wrote: »endlessfall16 wrote: »Meal planning.
I'm feeding four people, including teenagers, on about 600 a month and we eat well.
Sigh, I really envy you.
My wife said our family of 3 would literally die if she only spent $800 a month. I'm tired of arguments (over our daughter's overweight). So, whatever.
In our home it's some sort of an achievement if my wife could skip grocery shopping for 3 days. Her record is 2 days.
It also depends on where you live. When I read Americans post things like $5 for a rotisserie chicken or $1 for a dozen eggs or sub-$1 prices for vegetables that would cost me three times as much, I have to wonder if they realize how lucky they are to have such inexpensive food.
Our monthly groceries are definitely over $800/month for four of us. Though that includes diapers and most of our toiletries.
Im guessing you are Canadian, Our food prices are starting to reach out of control levels. When you compare them to US food prices, it makes me want to cry.0 -
musicfan68 wrote: »That's a big budget, I think. I spend 150 a month and I eat healthy foods. I don't buy candy, chips, etc. Totally doable.
Not doable in Alberta, Canada. Fresh fruit and vegetables cost an arm and a leg here (though not nearly as bad as if we lived in Alaska or somewhere remote like that).0 -
SusanMFindlay wrote: »musicfan68 wrote: »That's a big budget, I think. I spend 150 a month and I eat healthy foods. I don't buy candy, chips, etc. Totally doable.
Not doable in Alberta, Canada. Fresh fruit and vegetables cost an arm and a leg here (though not nearly as bad as if we lived in Alaska or somewhere remote like that).
Well, neither I nor the OP live in Alberta Canada, so you're not comparing relevant info. I live in Iowa, and he lives in Missouri. I also don't eat a lot of fresh fruit or vegetables because there's too much waste. I buy frozen vegetables, and a few fruits in season once in a while. Chicken, fish, pork, rice, various beans, lentils, all should be cheap for him.0 -
$200 a month is what I aim for- $50 a week.
I will say I eat low protein, especially meat because of kidney stones, but high dairy. I also eat on the high side of carbs. Eggs are a big amount of my protein besides dairy.
Use your store card- if they have an app that's has online coupons, use it. I've gotten some good deals with it, even target has cartwheel. And shop the sales, learn what a good price for something is and stock up when it is that price if it is something that will keep. If you like meat, figure out where the manager's special of meats that need to sell now is located.
Dry beans, rice and oatmeal are inexpensive too. Veggies can vary depending on where you live. Sometimes frozen veggies are a lot less expensive than fresh. Other times it's a wash.0 -
I live in Alberta, too. We don't have Aldi's here. Agreed that fresh fruits and vegetables are the hardest. In the fall I've approached a neighbour if I could have his apples. They were free.0
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