On a budget tips

QuixoticLoser · November 17

Hubby and I are on a budget is putting it lightly and today is my first day (again) doing this. What are your cheap snack foods for when you're not able to get in a kitchen. Things for lunches or to-go dinners, or purchased from convenience store.

I like using premeasured flavored oatmeal variety packs as 'granola' in my vanilla yogurt. for a 250ish cal snack.

Ronnie_happy2ranch · November 17

Fruit, hard boiled eggs, nuts, canned pop-tops or packets of tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines are great with prepackaged salads (watch out for the dressings in those though).

yakkystuff · November 18

Do you have access to slow cooker, microwave, mini-fridge type things? Sure can help.

Generally find getting things from store less expensive, and healthier options than from drive thrus and restaurants.

Even a cooler to keep a bit of chill on things until the meal.

springlering62 · November 18

homemade beef jerky.

When I was eating a lot of (wildly expensive) skyr, I discovered I could easily make it at home with a gallon of skim milk and a few drops of rennet.

Ditto for kefir, if that’s your thing.

If you’re in the USA, do you have a Lidl or Aldi nearby? Their prices are waaaaaay less than the big chain groceries and the products are comparable (Lidl also carries national brands, not certain about Aldi, but the store labels are such great quality I don’t even bother with the nationals anymore).

Do you have an international market nearby? We have several. Ours have very good prices on a huge selection of fruit and vegetables.

Shop the weekly flyers.

Meal plan, make a list, and stick to it. I keep a running shopping list on my phone.

Go grocery shopping in a full stomach.

briscogun · November 18

Some great suggestions above. Eggs are great, can last you a whole week. Canned tuna is super cheap and low calorie, I can get 2 sandwhiches out of 1 can (mix with lite mayo for a low cal lunch). Fruit is amazing (apples, bananas, grapes all come in their own packaging). Veggies are great too, I get little packs of baby carrots at a reasonable price, dip them in a little lite ranch for a low cal snack. Sliced red peppers too. You can get a value pack of chicken breasts, grill or bake some, freeze the rest for later in the week. Make a salad or pair with some rice and voila! Drink lots of water (it's practically free!).

When I'm on a budget and trying to lose weight, I will tend to eat a lot of the same things to keep it easy and cheap, but that's just part of the game. Value over variety!

springlering62 · November 19

homemade hummus with canned beans is inexpensive and you can cut the tahini and/or olive oil for calories savings with little difference in taste.

Dirt cheap if you make your hummus from dried beans.

“Bowls” with rice, cooked caviar type lentils, pickled beets or whatever and diced cooked meats, with a spoonful of hummus.

I adore falafel and have discovered powdered falafel mix. Mix with water, let sit for twenty minutes to absorb and then bake.

Terrific falafel for a fraction the price of bought ones.

Ditto coffee. Make your own. Like lattes? Invest in a Ninja hand-pump frother. A quarter cup skim, pump twenty times, microwave, and you end up with half a cup or more of delightful, slow “melting” coffee froth.

suzij27 · November 20

I shop sales and stock up at those times. For filling snacks under 100 calories: light cheese sticks with an apple, Oikos Triple Zero yogurt - high in protein, a banana and you can add a tablespoon of peanut butter, a slice of low(er) fat cheddar cheese and a serving of low-fat triscuits (I believe that is a little over 200 cals), baby carrots.
I find higher fiber things fill me up and if I need more protein, the Greek yogurt is a low cal bang for the buck.

I just realized I only listed snacks. To make lunches more economical, double a recipe you are making for dinner. I like Eggroll in a bowl. Or chili with lots of beans and little or no meat. Or a broth based soup. I make Sandwiches for work and use mustard not mayo (personal preference) which cuts down on calories. If you cook a whole chicken or a turkey breast, you can use the leftovers for sandwiches or to make a second or third meal.
Good luck! And give yourself some grace. If being on a tight budget is your priority, you will need to find the most cost effective recipes that you like, prepare them in bulk, and eat the same things every week.

rms62003 · November 20

I would second the whole chicken above. And, right now, you can get a good deal on turkey.

Whole chickens are usually cheaper than the breasts/legs, etc by themselves. I'll get a whole chicken, portion it out myself, then use the carcass to make stock. Lot less expensive than buying skinless, boneless cuts. (I skin myself before freezing.)

Shopping sales, especially for veggies is very helpful. Also, frozen veggies are as good as fresh, and often less expensive.

yakkystuff · November 22

Had to look up black lentils @springlering62 - way awesome idea! On the hunt...

springlering62 · November 23

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48843326#Comment_48843326

like beans?

This will rock your world:

https://www.ranchogordo.com/

springlering62 · November 23

unfortunately, not a budget grocery.

csplatt · November 25

i bag my own snacks because pre measured stuff is so inaccurate. so i’ll dice up some cheddar (weighed on a food scale) and add 100 grams green grapes. i can make those for the week on the weekend and grab one per day for work.

i shred chicken breasts in the crock pot then do the same — measure our 3-4 ounces per tupperware and add half a cup of rice and some pre made veggies.

yakkystuff · November 25

@springlering62 - ty for link - way cool, who knew? 2026 food project in-coming!

springlering62 · November 25

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48846389#Comment_48846389

in all seriousness, I never had a real bean til I tried these. They are to bagged or canned beans what patisserie are to Little Debbie’s.

I never knew a bean could taste like that.

Also highly recommend their California Wild Rice. It’s also next level.

ridiculous59 · 3:13PM

Most of the time food is cheaper when prepped at home and also more nutritious. So you're getting more nutritional bang for your buck.

I make my own yoghurt in a slow cooker, and using milk that's been marked down 50% makes it even cheaper. If you prefer Greek yoghurt then you just need to strain out some of the whey. I use the whey when making muffins and as a treat on the dogs' kibble. Yoghurt is great for dips, in smoothies, and basically anytime you need a quick snack.

Muffins are an easy to-go snack and the possibilities are endless.

I make a lot of soups, usually with veggies from the mark-down bin at the grocery store. I find that it's a cheaper option than buying salad items. If you have a thermos type container you can take soup for lunch with a side of canned tuna or hard boiled eggs/egg bites (for protein). Bulk up the soup with beans for dinner with some homemade baking powder biscuits (in the time I spent scrolling this thread I could have made a batch of biscuits).

When I was working I made Sunday my food prep day. Big pot of soup for lunches. Baked some muffins. Yoghurt in the slow cooker. Checked that I had enough frozen fruits in the freezer to go with my yoghurt for the week. Maybe made some chili (add a can of corn and extra beans so that using less meat is possible). Boiled some eggs. Maybe made some egg bites (great to-go snack or for breakfast with toast).

Be strategic in your grocery shopping. I don't decide on my week's menus and then shop for the ingredients. I buy what's on sale and then make my menus based in that. Subtle difference, but more economical. Eggs are your friend…cheap, versatile, portable, and nutritious. Thrift stores are your friend for buying things like a slow cooker, thermos, cooler bag, re-usable ice packs, etc.

You've got this 🙂

On a budget tips

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