Healthy food on a tight budget

[Owlie]

When it was just me, I spent $25-30 a week on groceries, probably closer to 35-40 when I ran out of staples or meat. With DBF, we spent 40-60 a week, but since it was split, our individual contributions were the same or less.

I don't buy a lot of snack foods--just the occasional bag of kettle chips for after rides. The rest of it is fruit and nuts, or baking supplies.

[shootingstar]

I probably at least spend $40.00 per wk. on groceries when it's just me.

But with the short season summer and fall here, I end up buying more lovely fresh fruit and veggies. It's healthy stuff is my justification to myself.

[jessmarimba]

I'm the same with the snack food. Though I'll occasionally buy the $2 bag of tortilla chips that lasts me about a week

I just don't have a very creative diet unless there's a special occasion. Between work, riding, and running, I don't really take the time to cook. And since meat takes time to cook, I really don't eat a lot of it (which saves a lot of money).

I seem to have an endless supply of peanut butter and green olives of dubious origin and I have tomatoes and peppers in the garden, so sandwiches and salads are pretty cheap. And every so often I want something junky so I'll get the 6-pack of cupcakes that someone dropped or the clearanced angel food cake for $2.

I was really poor in college. I pretty much lived off of leftover baked potatoes from the restaurant where I worked, oatmeal, bananas, and ramen. And bean burritos from taco bell. So I guess I still feel a little bit guilty spending real money on food, even on weeks when I have more money to spend.

[OakLeaf]

Martha Rose Shulman is doing grain-based main dishes this week. Paellas, pilafs, risotti, grain salads.

These days nine times out of ten if I try a new recipe, it's one of hers ... and I have a whole stack of them either bookmarked or saved as .pdfs.

[fallstoclimb]

I've found frozen vegetables and fruit to be much cheaper than fresh. I also eat a LOT of dried beans. If soaking/long cooking times sounds like too much work for you, I highly recommend investing in a pressure cooker. You can find one for around $100, they're very easy to use (and are safe these days) and aid in the switch from canned beans to dried (which is healthier, too!)

[goldfinch]

I've found frozen vegetables and fruit to be much cheaper than fresh. I also eat a LOT of dried beans. If soaking/long cooking times sounds like too much work for you, I highly recommend investing in a pressure cooker. You can find one for around $100, they're very easy to use (and are safe these days) and aid in the switch from canned beans to dried (which is healthier, too!)

I find canned beans disgusting and we always use dried. For the heartier beans like black beans we soak a big batch overnight, cook, and divide into baggies and freeze for later use.