In another thread I read about how much cheaper it is to be healthy than unhealthy…or whatever. What it really boils down to is, what are some cheap, healthy, and diverse meals I can fix myself, at home, in under 30-45 mins. I am trying to lose about 60 pounds, so lets keep it lean.
Beans. Canned beans, if you want to be quick about it. (Or you can invest the time in cooking dried beans, which are even less expensive than canned beans, then freeze any you don’t eat right away.)
Of course, the savings of eating beans may be off set by the expense of purchasing GasX or Beano… :rolleyes:
I was going to suggest cabbage, a healthy green leafy which can be made into different versions of slaw or stir-fry (like pasta, not too fatty itself: it’s what you add to it that matters)
This will keep your colon healthy and viable as an organ donation, so that after your time comes we’ll know you’re still with us in part, farting on.
Brown rice. Much healthier than white rice, and not really more expensive.
Fresh fruits and vegetables can get expensive, but if you cut your portions it will stretch the budget quite a bit. Use your splurging for items like whole grain bread (WalMart now sells 100% whole grain for about $1.20 a loaf) and a bag of fresh mixed fruit - $5 - and for the rest use canned vegetables, turkey bacon (cheaper and healthier than the real thing!), bulk rice/noodles/potatoes (whatever your main starchy food is going to be).
A can of green beans tastes better if you use low or non fat italian dressing or some dales/lea and perrins. To keep it cheap I use the generics if a low/no fat version is available.
Beans are a good, cheap food but you need to decide if you want a “diet” like low carb/high protien or an entire lifestyle change. Personally, I like beans but not without some fatty seasonings so I cut them down to about once a week as a small side dish with a meat for the main course.
If you are a meat eater I suggest a whole chicken (small, about $3 - $4), skinned, in a crock pot with a cut up onion, fresh celery and carrots. Use that to build on.
I feed a family of four on a very limited budget and none of us are overweight (well, I am lately but I am working on it - I got a little extra money and started eating out so that’s out of the question now) so I have multiple tips if you want them. Portion control is a big thing for me, mostly.
Oh - watch your salt intake. I found that I was cutting a lot of sugar and fat from my diet, but adding taste with a million different spices that had salt as a main ingredient. Use that spluring for some garlic cloves and fresh or dried herbs.
It’s an ongoing process for me and I’m not strict or stuck to a calorie counting book. I just try to make smart decisions at each meal one day at a time, make sure my kids DO get the calories and fats they need to grow, and go for a walk at night.
Your meal ideas are beans, cabbage, and plain brown rice? I have to say those don’t sound that exciting.
I have a few ideas. Canned white tuna, mixed with chopped red onion, some diced avocado, and a quick vinaigrette served on a bed of lettuce is pretty quick, cheap, and easy.
Using recommendations above: Take a can of drained, rinsed garbanzo beans, mix with some cooked brown rice, some kind of chopped fresh vegetable, maybe bell pepper?, add a healthy dose of Italian dressing and it could make a nice simple salad. You could also use couscous for this and it would be done even quicker.
Baked fish filet with a dijon mustard/breadcrumb crust is low-fat, quick and can be cheap depending on variety of fish used.
By the way, are you a Hank III fan?
I know you weren’t directing that at me, August, but as a matter of fact, I was listening to him as I typed.
How about a stir-fry type thing? Here’s a basic easy one (makes 4 servings) that you can substitute ingredients on to make it your own.
1 (1. lb.) package extra firm tofu (you can substitute lean meat for this if you like, of course, that’s what I do)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
2 (3 oz.) packages flavored ramen noodles (pick whatever flavor you like)
1 (16 oz.) package frozen stir-fry vegetables, thawed (or just pick up whatever vegs you’d like to add)
1 1/2 cups water
Soy sauce, to taste
If you use tofu, press it between paper towels to remove some of the water and cut it up into bite-size chunks. Meat should be cut into strips or bite-size chunks.
Add the oil to a skillet and fry the tofu or meat until golden brown on the outside. While that’s going on take a medium saucepan, fill with the water and put it on to boil. Once it’s boiling, put the ramen noodles in (reserve the flavor packets) and cook them just until they break apart - just a minute or two. Drain them.
Add the vegs to the skillet with the tofu or meat and add the ramen flavor packets. Cook until the vegs are just tender and then add the noodles.
Enjoy!
all good ideas. I’m on an old crow medicine show trip right now.
Simple Soup.
Add a small amount of oil to a pot. This could also be a small amount of bacon sauted on low to render the fat. Toss in chopped onions, celery, and carrots and saute for a bit until the onions are translucent. Add other vegetables, mushrooms and cabbage usually for me, but there are no rules. Add a handful of pearl barley or lentils or brown rice or any other grain or potatoes or pasta. Add chicken stock or other stock or tomato juice or water or any other liquid. Add chopped chicken or meat or tofu or fish or cooked beans if desired. Simmer until the starch/grain is cooked through. If desired, thicken with a spoonful of cornstarch mixed with cold water into a slurry.
Make your own chicken stock out of the bones from roasted chicken, shrimp stock from shrimp shells, other stock from any leftover meat/bones/skin/trimmings. Pour the stock into freezer bags and freeze until needed to make soup. Stock made this way is free!
For extra fun, add dumplings or matzo balls. Or serve with crusty bread.