Cheap, easily accessible food?

[Sybil]

A lot of us are poor and don't have a lot of dieting options. Life isn't always ideal -- but that doesn't mean there are no alternatives. Currently, I eat almost exclusively ramen and have had to turn to multivitamins as a budget way to not completely ignore my health. The vitamins alone have helped me feel a lot better.

My biggest issue right now is that I'd like to lose some weight, but I think relying on carbs alone to fuel me makes that a bit difficult. I'd really like to branch out, but food that I can store and that is price-competitive with ramen has evaded me. Another issue I run into is that whenever I encounter a decent alternative, it can be hard to find (I walk everywhere); the only food-carrying stores close to me are convenience stores and pharmacy retail outlets.

Ideas for me right now are canned beans and canned fruit. Does anyone else have any solutions?

[petunia]

Personally, I eat a lot of peanut butter. Its got protein in it, something you may be lacking in your current diet.

[stephaniec]

I've found for my self a great way to keep a good healthy diet on a budget is to shop at a discount grocer and just buy a lot of the canned vegetables on sale or just the generic brand. you can make all sorts of different dishes with the vegetables and with added things like cheese or whatever you can come up with. There was an article in the New York times not very long ago that said the canned vegetables were just as vitamin enriched as fresh vegetables if not more so because the fresh vegetables tended to be on the shelf longer and lost more of the nutrients.

[Sybil]

Peanut butter, that's a really good one. I always seem to forget it's there. Maybe I'll sneak in a few spoonfuls here and there instead of another helping of ramen. I think I'll keep trying for the canned goods, too.

[muffinpants]

Rather than doing canned beans, you should go for dry. They are so cheap and really healthy for you, also easy to cook. They are even tasty if you use chicken stock (or bouillon cubes) rather than just water to cook them. Or add some garlic and onions if you are able. Eggs, brown rice, and bananas are other foods that I've noted as cheap in my grocery shopping.

[stephaniec]

generic brand noodles are inexpensive. olive oil garlic. The olive oil is a bit expensive though

[Brooke777]

My current income is $0, and I get all of my food from food banks. My favorite one is the Volunteers of America. You can get quite a lot of food from these places, and it is 100% free.

[ath]

I have a bad habit of just not eating when I'm broke.

If you have an ironclad stomach, or are hungry enough, or desperate enough, here's another option (and keep in mind I personally have never done this and -never- will do it, but I know someone who has):

Animal food.

Some go for cat food. Or dog food. The guy I know ordered large primate feed online. It's obviously not intended for human consumption, but it'll keep you from starving. There are a few vitamins and minerals and such that they lack, which you'll need to take vitamins for. But, it's a super-cheap way to eat if you know the right stuff to get.

It's so disgusting to think of, and I don't think I could make myself do it unless it was the last source of food on Earth, but I figure hey, it's probably more nutritious and better for you than eating ramen.

Also this is mainly posted just to be funny, although it is true that some people eat animal food to save money. I really hope you don't, though, lol.

[stephaniec]

large can   refried beans, onions, cactus , fried in olive oil or corn oil.  cheap bag of corn meal for tort  lasts forever   

[Missy~rmdlm]

Zatarains red beans and rice is rather complete for $1.80, If adding sausage to it boosts it's protein counts. Just saying nutritionally it sure beats ramen, and it's cost is mostly just reflective of it's serving size.

[ath]

I think chili is a pretty good option myself. It's got plenty of protein, and it can be had even up here in Alaska for a little under $1 per can, which is easily at least one meal. Things tend to cost a bit more up here, too.

You can also get macaroni for $1 or less up here. Mix the macaroni and chili together and you've got 2-3 meals, maybe 4 depending on how much you eat. $2 for 2-4 meals seems like a pretty good deal, and it's much more of a meal than ramen.

If you use ramen to supplement everything, you can make it all go a lot farther. It'll all cost more than just eating ramen, but I know what that's like, and it stinks. May as well add in a tiny bit extra cost for some much better nutrition, and variety.

You can also get canned fruit/veg, and supplement with that.

[RainbowGuacamole]

I was fairly broke during undergrad and I found that what worked best for me since I didn't have a car was buying things in bulk on amazon (beans, rice, quinoa, etc) and supplementing with cheap meats, fruit, and vegetables. Bananas wee always my go to snack since they're cheap and fresh. Also, if there's a dollar store near you, they sometimes have tinned foods that aren't too shabby for 2/$1. Oh, and getting day-olds from the bakery was another favorite, too. As an alternative to peanut butter, bagged peanuts and trail mix can be pretty cheap, too.

[Randi]

Frozen chicken pot pies can frequently be found on sale.

Eggs are cheap and provide good nutrition. Poached eggs on toast are pretty tasty and healthier than fried.  Hard Boiled eggs are easy to keep and store.

Locally bread can be found for $ 1.28 / loaf.  If you have a toaster that gives more options. If you need one, try thrift stores or garage sales.

[kariann330]

Deer nuts....they are under a buck.


But seriously, my views on it are if i can't hunt it, or grow it, i don't need it. The only really exceptions are dairy products, coffee, sugar and flour. In a year ill probably spend about $500-$600 on food. Yes it does help i own and live on 16.5 acres.

[kariann330]

Sorry for the double post, but another idea just hit me...Military MRE's. If bought from the right place they will run you about $2-$4 a meal. They have a little over 2,000 calories which is perfect if your living an active life, are packed full of protein and vitamins, and all you need to cook them is a pot and water....some of them just water because of having a heating packet that reacts to water.

[Sarah leah]

Nuts, sultanas, trail mix <---  last for several weeks in a sealed container (I spend $2 on sultanas for a kilo) ($6-7 on nuts kilo) ($4-5 trail mix kilo)

Bananas 1 kilo $2.50 (eat this much a week so one a day)
Canned corn and peas $1-2 max
loafs of brown bread $1.20 each home brand
canned tuna (100g) 6 for $4
Brown rice ($3 kilo)
2x three beans in a can 90c (1/2 can with a cup of rice and 1 can of tuna then divide into two meals and freeze one in a plastic sandwich bag. You can reheat it in a pot)

This is what I lived on before I had kids I was 67kgs of leanness and never hungry as I drank water 10mins before I ate.

[KittyKat]

Sorry for the double post, but another idea just hit me...Military MRE's. If bought from the right place they will run you about $2-$4 a meal. They have a little over 2,000 calories which is perfect if your living an active life, are packed full of protein and vitamins, and all you need to cook them is a pot and water....some of them just water because of having a heating packet that reacts to water.

MREs are great and they serve a wonderful purpose in the field, but they should really be saved for an, oh crap I really don't have a different choice of food right now, moment. Unless you're "rat ducking(switch the d to something else ) them for the candy and pastries. Also constipation sucks.

On topic some places sell canned chicken for a pretty good price to mix in with the other suggestions above.

[Sarah leah]

.... canned chicken.... really that is a thing.    I am unsure whether I could eat it or not. Is it yuck?

[KittyKat]

It taste just like chicken! Its the same as any cold chicken really, I'm sure you can heat it up too. I ussually keep one in my bag I bring to work if I don't have time for a full lunch.

[Jamie D]

A lot of us are poor and don't have a lot of dieting options. Life isn't always ideal -- but that doesn't mean there are no alternatives. Currently, I eat almost exclusively ramen and have had to turn to multivitamins as a budget way to not completely ignore my health. The vitamins alone have helped me feel a lot better.

My biggest issue right now is that I'd like to lose some weight, but I think relying on carbs alone to fuel me makes that a bit difficult. I'd really like to branch out, but food that I can store and that is price-competitive with ramen has evaded me. Another issue I run into is that whenever I encounter a decent alternative, it can be hard to find (I walk everywhere); the only food-carrying stores close to me are convenience stores and pharmacy retail outlets.

Ideas for me right now are canned beans and canned fruit. Does anyone else have any solutions?

There are plenty of things you can do to dress up ramen noodle or other inexpensive carbohydrates, to make them healthier.  When you are boiling your water, add some sliced carrot, slice green onion, and sliced radish.  Hard boil 1/2 dozen eggs ahead of time, and chop one up into the ramen.