Cheap and easy meals
Low on time and cash? There are ways to still get plenty of nutrients. Here are a few cheap and healthy options to reach for to maintain a balanced diet and keep your energy up:
Canned chickpeas in sauce with bread
Frozen meatballs, frozen peas, rice
Tuna poke bowl: rice, cucumber, tuna with mayo, edamame
Frugal fried rice - leftover rice, egg, protein, frozen vegetable mix. Soy sauce
Egg, cheese, and greens on a bagel
Other frugal choices:
Bananas: Banana bread, add to cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, muffins, snack with peanut butter
Rice, dry beans, flour - always cheap and ubiquitous ingredients.
Frozen bagged vegetables. Buy whatever is cheapest, have it as a side to your meal or bulk up soups
Forget brand loyalty: buy whatever yogurt is on discount, off-brand cereals, store-brand goods.
Shop what’s on sale - check the end cap for reduced price produce and plan meals around what is on sale. Check reduced bakery/grocery shelves in the back of the store. There are often baked goods that you can easily freeze and enjoy over time.
Buy meat on sale and freeze.
Slow cook tougher and cheaper cuts of meat.
Eating out: look for larger meals that can be taken home for lunch leftovers. Bonus if you find restaurants that serve free bread.
Root vegetables: potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, cassava, beets… they can usually be found cheap in bulk, and if stored in a cool dry place they will last for months.
Be willing to do the prep work: the more unprocessed ingredients you buy, the more you’ll save on the added cost for pre-cut veggies, pre-cooked rice, individually packaged snacks.