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?
Personally, I eat a lot of peanut butter. Its got protein in it, something you may be lacking in your current diet.
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.
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.
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.
generic brand noodles are inexpensive. olive oil garlic. The olive oil is a bit expensive though
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.
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.
large can refried beans, onions, cactus , fried in olive oil or corn oil. cheap bag of corn meal for tort lasts forever
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 :P I was 67kgs of leanness and never hungry as I drank water 10mins before I ate.
Quote from: kariann330 on February 17, 2014, 12:44:12 AM
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 :angel:) 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.
.... canned chicken.... really that is a thing. :icon_yikes: I am unsure whether I could eat it or not. Is it yuck?
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.
Quote from: Sybil on February 16, 2014, 04:03:55 PM
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.
Quote from: kariann330 on February 17, 2014, 12:44:12 AM
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.
I survived on MRE packets for a good while and actually they were not too bad and the heat packs were great (Fusion in action) But that was several years ago
Of course these days I just have to be a smart shopper and make the best of of what my limited budget will allow, sometimes you have to be creative to get the most nutrition out of what little is available
High quality canned chicken is just fine actually. It should taste just like a boiled chicken breast would(boring and like chicken), if it doesn't try a different brand. I use canned chicken for various dips and casserole purposes.
Stop all bread, no cakes, no fried, NO BREAD!!!
Sardines!
Tuna!
buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you can drink that stuff!
Fresh vine Tomatoes, apples,
Fresh Spinach for salads.
All these products are easily accessible, they are quite cheap, and they deliver most nutritional value for the buck!
Portion control is a must!
Good Luck!
Eggs are nice and cheap. That used to basically be my default lunch back when I was a ramen-noodle-surviving college student, was to drop an egg or two into my ramen. That way I'd at least be getting some protein.
Or, like my ex-girlfriend always does, make egg-and-spinach omelets. Those are like maybe $1 each, and 100% healthy, healthy, healthy! (and delicious)
You might also consider, if you're looking for some cheap meat, getting a few frozen rolls of ground turkey from Aldi. Those are only like $1.50 /lb, and you can use it for anything that you'd use ground beef for, for half the price.
beef or chicken liver very cheap. If you don't like the taste bury it in onions and home made gravy
Nuts, fruits, and veggies. Meat occasionally. Nuts have good fats, veggies such as legumes, cilantro, and other grebes can help estrogen levels and give fiber, fruits give you a ton of good stuff especially bananas. Very good at fighting depression. Meat is there for treats really. I love meat and it's hard to not eat every day! But these are really all you need to survive healthily while having excess energy
Grebes is greens lol
a very cheap meal that's quite nutritious is a vegetable chop suey or stir fry. Home made of course. Buy any sale vegetable or individual carrot sticks celery stick etc, yummy
I don't know if you are on hrt with spiro or not. If you are taking spiro, then be cautious of how much potassium you get from things like bananas, some other fruits, nuts and vegetables. Some of them contain quite a bit.
I get some of my recipes from Better Homes and Gardens, I just print up what looks good to me and give it a shot - Here's a list of tasty treats (http://www.bhg.com/recipes/healthy/dinner/cheap-heart-healthy-dinner-ideas/?sssdmh=dm17.722956&esrc=nwwr021714) to try 8)
There's some days I eat nothing but peanuts or almonds. Either that or nothing but cold cuts, cheese, sliced ham or chicken. A pack can last a long time.
If you have very little income, head to your county assistance office tomorrow, not wednesday, and apply for food stamps. Ask for emergency benefits and you will have food stamps that day (well the next day) to get you through the month while they process your app. Forget your pride and do it. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. So ask. Also, find food banks in your area and go to them. Get a free hot meal and a take home bag. Sometimes you need a voucher. But DO IT! BTW, after you get your EBT card, cancel your phone plan and get a Lifeline. yeah it's sucky but you'll save a $1,000 a year. If not more. Sometimes, you can get that and another phone and if you go to budget mobile with a Android phone, they will hook it up for you.
Quote from: Joanna Dark on February 17, 2014, 05:36:57 PM
If you have very little income, head to your county assistance office tomorrow, not wednesday, and apply for food stamps. Ask for emergency benefits and you will have food stamps that day (well the next day) to get you through the month while they process your app. Forget your pride and do it. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. So ask. Also, find food banks in your area and go to them. Get a free hot meal and a take home bag. Sometimes you need a voucher. But DO IT! BTW, after you get your EBT card, cancel your phone plan and get a Lifeline. yeah it's sucky but you'll save a $1,000 a year. If not more. Sometimes, you can get that and another phone and if you go to budget mobile with a Android phone, they will hook it up for you.
I think it is great to apply for this. But I would like to add that not everybody gets it. I was denied because of my ex wife. She claimed me on her benefits, so I can't collect. They refuse to review her file, and won't assist me at all. Just be aware that there are some instances that they will refuse to give you assistance.
Quote from: kariann330 on February 17, 2014, 12:35:34 AM
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.
That is amazing. I spend at least that much every month, if not more! Do you just do gardening and stuff in the summer and then jar it?
Quote from: Sarah leah on February 17, 2014, 01:29:08 AM
.... canned chicken.... really that is a thing. :icon_yikes: I am unsure whether I could eat it or not. Is it yuck?
They have canned haggis. You can find pretty much anything an a can these days lol.
Buying big dry bags of beans and rice is nice when you have little money. Eggs as have already been mentioned are also great. Take some red beans rice and maybe some country ham makes a dish that can cost less than $0.25 a serving.
Also spehgetti is pretty cheap to make with the cheap cans of Sauce and sausage instead of beef. This might be more applicable to those that live in or near the south east where pork is generally the cheapest meat (pork chops are like $2 a lb here).
Banquet dinners the $1 TV dinner type taste terrible and have lots of salt but are atrifiy enriched with tons of vitamins. I used to eat these for lunch everyday and I got so sick of them but it is easy to take to work versus making food in advance.
It used to be that me and my wife would never spend more than $25 a week on groceries and we were fairly healthy despite eating tons of rice, which may be tons of carbs but it worked for us and the Japanese.
Quote from: muffinpants on February 17, 2014, 07:13:41 PM
That is amazing. I spend at least that much every month, if not more! Do you just do gardening and stuff in the summer and then jar it?
I myself try to gather as much as I can in the summer months.
I usually work the fishing industry up here in that time, plus my family and I do lots of hunting. My freezer is stocked with frozen halibut, salmon, trout, cod, moose, deer, and bear. I also have 4 big mason jars full of canned salmon, canned with jalapenos. That's what's left after what I've already eaten, and it's all gathered by me or family members who gave me some.
The bear meat I have takes a bit of work to make it be really good, since it's from a larger brown bear, and anything that eats a lot of meat and fish, and is big in size, tends not to be so scrumptious, or have the best texture. But it can be worked with, just takes a lot of TLC in the kitchen.
The fish is outright delicious, and nutritious. I try to save it for rare meals when I really want to treat myself, but I'm trying to get rid of all of my meat in the freezer by spring.
The canned salmon, I always use to make salmon dip, and it's sooo so good. Mix canned salmon with sour cream or mayo, and various spices to your liking. I always use ranch mix, garlic, lots of pepper, sriracha (or some form of hot sauce), and various other things depending on my mood and what is available to me. It's so good. I spread it on toast or crackers, or make a sandwich with it between bread.
What I like is that people pay a lot of money for all the stuff I have in my freezer, especially the fish, and to me it was free. Just a benefit of having a fun, profitable summer.
It's very liberating not working some grid-like shift, same thing every week, in a big city. I much prefer working when and where the work is needed, and most profitable - living and working by the tides. It's so freeing - and it's a much more relaxed atmosphere in which to work.
Last summer I was stuck working on a boat for 3 weeks, docked in Whittier harbor - a town where you literally cannot leave after 11:00 PM - the only way out is a tunnel, and it is closed at night because then only trains can go through. I've seen a few locals there with shirts or hoodies that said "Prisoner of Whittier, Alaska." Only other way out is via the sea, or climbing mountains and hiking a -VERY- long hike. Even though we were stuck there, I really liked it. Most of that time it was just me and my girlfriend, listening to audiobooks, fishing off the dock/boat (surprisingly fruitful), playing music, just relaxing, and complaining about the constant rain and frequent 60mph winds rocking the boat, making us have to retie it multiple times a night.
Quote from: ath on February 17, 2014, 08:13:35 PM
I myself try to gather as much as I can in the summer months.
I usually work the fishing industry up here in that time, plus my family and I do lots of hunting. My freezer is stocked with frozen halibut, salmon, trout, cod, moose, deer, and bear. I also have 4 big mason jars full of canned salmon, canned with jalapenos. That's what's left after what I've already eaten, and it's all gathered by me or family members who gave me some.
The bear meat I have takes a bit of work to make it be really good, since it's from a larger brown bear, and anything that eats a lot of meat and fish, and is big in size, tends not to be so scrumptious, or have the best texture. But it can be worked with, just takes a lot of TLC in the kitchen.
The fish is outright delicious, and nutritious. I try to save it for rare meals when I really want to treat myself, but I'm trying to get rid of all of my meat in the freezer by spring.
The canned salmon, I always use to make salmon dip, and it's sooo so good. Mix canned salmon with sour cream or mayo, and various spices to your liking. I always use ranch mix, garlic, lots of pepper, sriracha (or some form of hot sauce), and various other things depending on my mood and what is available to me. It's so good. I spread it on toast or crackers, or make a sandwich with it between bread.
What I like is that people pay a lot of money for all the stuff I have in my freezer, especially the fish, and to me it was free. Just a benefit of having a fun, profitable summer.
It's very liberating not working some grid-like shift, same thing every week, in a big city. I much prefer working when and where the work is needed, and most profitable - living and working by the tides. It's so freeing - and it's a much more relaxed atmosphere in which to work.
Last summer I was stuck working on a boat for 3 weeks, docked in Whittier harbor - a town where you literally cannot leave after 11:00 PM - the only way out is a tunnel, and it is closed at night because then only trains can go through. I've seen a few locals there with shirts or hoodies that said "Prisoner of Whittier, Alaska." Only other way out is via the sea, or climbing mountains and hiking a -VERY- long hike. Even though we were stuck there, I really liked it. Most of that time it was just me and my girlfriend, listening to audiobooks, fishing off the dock/boat (surprisingly fruitful), playing music, just relaxing, and complaining about the constant rain and frequent 60mph winds rocking the boat, making us have to retie it multiple times a night.
sounds like nature
Quote from: muffinpants on February 17, 2014, 07:13:41 PM
That is amazing. I spend at least that much every month, if not more! Do you just do gardening and stuff in the summer and then jar it?
Nope, no jars needed. I have what can best be called a greenhouse so im able to grow all year long. For meat i hunt deer mostly. The county limit for all seasons is 1 buck and 4 does with a one tag a day limit. During bow season alone i can take 5deer giving me about 130+ lbs of meat each. Some gets ground, some stays steaks, and some becomes jerky after a nice long smoke. Ill then use my new pond to attract ducks and geese and there is wild turkey in Ohio. For pork....wild hog tastes way better then the processed crap you get in stores and is preservative free. For fish, my father in law lets me fish in his pond but once my bass and cats get big enough, ill be able to start pulling them out.
Its really nice basically living off the land. I'm healthier then i was before and even tho i eat meat daily since it's super lean my cholesterol is perfect.
All the more reason i say yall city folk need to slow down, leave the asphalt and get back to the dirt roads.