Cheap yummy clean foods? Anyone?

Kritta_G · 04-30-2009, 12:13 AM

Okay so I will start to eat clean then we run out of money and are low on food. No meat! It pisses me off because I will get a good start then I run out of protein! We only have talapia, but I am not supposed to eat too much fish because of mercury while I am still breastfeeding. I was just wondering what some ideas are for when we go grocery shopping Friday. I also wish food would keep better because all of the veggies won't last the whole month. Oh and another problem i have is that I can't eat blah food. Anyone have some tasty meal ideas for me? Thanks would be appreciated. Oh and simple too please! I normally can't find funny sounding foods. lol Like ones I haven't heard of before.

jackie423 · 04-30-2009, 04:57 AM

I have to go to the grocery store every few days to get fresh fruit and produce. Usually once a week (or when something is on sale) I will buy chicken and/or turkey in bulk and freeze. I put chicken breast in individual baggies in the freezer so I can defrost only one or two at a time.

Also, eggs are a good protein source and they will last the whole week. I snack on string cheese; that will last a while in the fridge. Cottage cheese is good for the whole week as well.

It is kind of frustrating because if you want fresh veggies and fruit you will more than likely be at the store more than once a week.

Killer queen · 04-30-2009, 06:16 AM

I'm in college...and also currently taking a break from working part time, so saving money and still eating clean sucks, but it can be done.

Stay away from name brand foods, honestly they make the same exact stuff 40-50 cents cheaper, it adds up. So I usually buy in bulk: oatmeal, eggs, sliced turkey, chicken breast, wheat bread, skim milk, 95% lean beef (more expensive but since I only eat red meat once a week, its not too bad for me, big cans of tuna, shrimp, apples, nuts, and..thats all I can think of right now.

Most of that stuff is pretty cheap when going to a bulk food store. Also, try and limit how much fruit/veg you buy a week, switch it up. I usually pick two fruits and two veggies per week to focus on because money is tight so I can't always be buying apples, strawberries, water melon, bananas, etc..Same thing with veggies (usually I buy them in bulk frozen) but for fresh vegg I go after broccoli, spinach, peppers, sweet potatoes every week.
I don't always like having to limit the freshness of the food I buy, but it's not forever!

Just be smart, plan ahead and try to prepare how much food you are going to eat each day/week so NOTHING goes to waste. Everything that isn't eaten that day, I eat the day after or mix with something else.

girl81 · 04-30-2009, 07:09 AM

Eggs are cheap and very versatile. Crustless spinach quiche is very easy and egg based so it's cheaper.

LittleDonkey · 04-30-2009, 07:36 AM

Stock up on herbs/spices to make your meals more interesting. A lot of Indian food is vegetarian and really flavourful, so I'd def. recommend doing a web search for some good Indian recipes!

tlstot · 04-30-2009, 07:44 AM

I buy my spices at the dollar store! Otherwise at the reg. groc. they are kinda spendy!

halcyonnwar · 04-30-2009, 08:04 AM

Try buying liquid egg whites (they come in cartons, I like "allwhites") I get a lot of mileage out of those.

ex. 1/2 liquid egg whites in a carb balance tortilla + salsa = delicious

packets of instant oatmeal= cheap- you can find good ones without sugar added.

cottage cheese and greek yogurt ($$) are also my faves. you can add frozen berries if you're trying to save time and money since produce is expensive.

My boyfriend eats a lot of canned tuna too, lots of protein for not too much money for when you're not as worried about the mercury.

yoplait311 · 04-30-2009, 08:26 AM

Try to find of there is a Produce Junction near you- I buy all fruits and veggies there. I get LOADS and never spend more than $20.
I only buy dairy and meat and grain at regular stores.

If that is not an option, maybe try a local farmers market.

If that is not an option, buy frozen. It's cheap and just as healthy for you!

aplaskos · 04-30-2009, 03:17 PM

TTUNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
cottage cheese and 1/2 cup has 14G of protein, buy it in bulk
buying in Bulk is honestly the best way to go!!!!

gingerbabe · 04-30-2009, 04:17 PM

Cottage cheese FTW. I like Friendship cottage cheese (all natural ingredients compared to Hood which does not), I get the one for digestive health. You can add different things to make it a little more tasty and less boring. You can add HONEY (delicious) with chopped stawberries, blueberries, red seedless grapes, etc...They taste great on top of rice cakes too, which are cheap for a whole package.

Another cheap easy snack is OATS. Cook up some whole rolled oats (get the huge cylinder). Don't buy the instant or flavored varities! Not good for you! Add fruits, berries, honey, splenda, canned pumpkin, flavored soy-milk, flavored protein powder, sliced almonds, banana, etc...and you can make it taste great. It's low-cal and heart healthy.

Just pay attention to weekly sales and you can find deals. Fruit is a great snack and can be cheap if you purchase the right type of fruit at the right time of year or during ceratin sales.

naija · 04-30-2009, 04:59 PM

Ditto what everyone else said about buying in bulk.

My favorites are oats, canned tuna, sweet potatos, nuts - all relatively cheap and hold up pretty well for up to a month.

LittleDonkey · 04-30-2009, 05:57 PM

If there's a Chinatown where you are, check out the grocery stores for produce. For some reason all the produce in Chinatown in Toronto is INSANELY cheap.

Kritta_G · 04-30-2009, 11:17 PM

These are some really good ideas. I will keep these in mind when i write my grocery list.

merse · 04-30-2009, 11:43 PM

i eat clean, but dont follow the typical oats and green beans diets on here. i make more complicated healthy meals and my food bill is getting super expensive. its cheaper for me to eat crap. it sux

girl81 · 05-01-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merse

i eat clean, but dont follow the typical oats and green beans diets on here. i make more complicated healthy meals and my food bill is getting super expensive. its cheaper for me to eat crap. it sux

What are your staples?

goofeegrrl · 05-01-2009, 08:05 AM

i buy frozen vegetables which aren't quite as good as fresh, but i keep a stockpile so i never run out.

Kritta_G · 05-01-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merse

i eat clean, but dont follow the typical oats and green beans diets on here. i make more complicated healthy meals and my food bill is getting super expensive. its cheaper for me to eat crap. it sux

Tell me about it! lol I love mixing all kinds of yummy clean stuff together. I can't eat a pile of brocolli with meat for dinner! I have to have more heavy carbs at dinner or I feel like I need to binge. then I do. lol But as for other meals I am pretty good with it. I can only do one veggie meat meal and it usually is lunch i will have a big salad and meat in it. I get depleted easily.

Jrzimmer · 05-02-2009, 03:51 PM

For clean recipes I am a dork and clip them out of magazines like oxygen and Women's RX. I put them together by meat groups, pastas, desserts...etc, and put them in an album type format. I've tried some of them and they are AWESOME! Plus on those they have the nutritional info after the meal is put together. Another really good source is the internet and Tosca Reno's Eat Clean cookbook. I'm not a rep or anything but I've tried those recipes and they're good too. I also agree with everyone on the frozen veggies....they go a long way compared to fresh (which are obviously awesome too). I think frozen are cheap too. Hope this helps!