Roundup of cheap foods (and how to use them)
So as we’ve discussed in the past, I’m a little light in the funds department these days (not at all helped by out-of-pocket chiropractor expenses or spring books and tuition), so I’m trying to do a better job of controlling my costs. Food was one area that I decided I needed to start paying more attention.
I’ve shared various articles on my Facebook page with lists of the cheapest foods. But I’ve realized some things…
- The lists never make it to the grocery store with me. I just do the same old, same old style of shopping.
- Who cares if oats are cheap if I don’t know what the heck to do with them?!
So, I decided to make my own little roundup of some inexpensive foods with ideas for how you can incorporate them into your snacks or meals. Because, really… what’s the point if they’re cheap if they just sit in your pantry or fridge??
My Favorite Stand-Alone Snacks
I’m a fan of the plain, boring and repetitive because it’s just that much less thought I have to put into what I’m eating.
Healthy Cheap Snacks
| Snack | Price (approx.) | Why it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | $0.19/lb | Potassium-packed, easy breakfast/snack |
| Apples | $1/lb | Portable, zero prep, car-friendly |
| Carrots | $1.99 (baby) | Cheaper if you cut big bags yourself |
| Celery | $1/bunch | Great with peanut butter (watch portions!) |
Cheap Breakfast Combos
Whatever you do, don’t skip breakfast if you’re trying to save money. It really is one of the most important meals of the day and sets the tone for the next 24 hours of eating (okay, maybe like 18 hours but you get what I mean). Flip flop between the two below throughout the week.
- Fruit Smoothie: A banana (or half of one) and some frozen berries blended with spinach and water or milk (not fruit juice!) is a really delicious way to start the day. Watch the prices on the frozen berries, though. Whole strawberries and blueberries tend to be the cheapest. Those pre-made smoothie blends of frozen fruit and yogurt bits? Skip ‘em.
- Omelette: A two-egg omelette with tomato and spinach is yummy and easy to make. Plus, all three of those ingredients are relatively cheap (just watch for sales on spinach, if you can). Skip the cheese though. Not only is that pricier, but it tends to have a lot of sodium.
Lunch and Dinner Staples
I’m grouping these meals together because I feel like I’ve really got my sh*t together when I make enough dinner to have leftovers to take to work.
- Stir Fry: Go vegetarian or cook up some meat (cut up chicken breast or turkey sausage, for example). Then toss in those sale veggies (yellow squash, peppers, spinach, mushrooms, onion…) with some pepper and other seasonings. Then, top it over brown rice, quinoa or couscous. Your portion should have way more veggies than the grains, though. YUM.
- The Trio: One protein + One (small) whole grain + One (big) veg. Or One protein + Two veg. The easier I can make meal planning, the better. Season a chicken breast, pair it with brown rice or a veggie, and toss in more veg. Sales are key here: zucchini and peppers on sale? Stir fry those. Don’t be afraid of frozen veggies. Make a cheap side salad with the spinach and tomatoes you bought for smoothies.
Quick Dinner Trio Cheat Sheet
| Protein (pick 1) | Grain (pick 1 small) | Veggie(s) (go big) |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | Brown rice | Spinach, peppers |
| Turkey sausage | Quinoa | Zucchini, mushrooms |
| Tofu | Couscous | Onions, squash |
Cheap Foods I’d Maybe Skip
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of all things inexpensive, but there are certain foods I think are more work than most people are willing to put in.
- Dried beans: They’re cheap as hell and relatively easy to prepare, I suppose, but I’m not really able to think ahead with the soaking and all that. I’d much rather bust open a can-o-beans and call it good.
- Yogurt: For starters, I don’t think $1 a container is a very good deal. Second, most of the cheaper varieties contain an insane amount of sugar. Definitely not making its way into my shopping cart.