I am guessing that must be tough - I can think of things like buy bags of oats for porridge for breakfast - buy bag of rice lentils and pulses!

I cook batches of food - one that I like is chicken and lentil stew I use breast but you could use thigh meat as its cheaper. I make a big pot then freeze in takeaway containers. you could easily get a months worth. Another favourite is chilli concarne - using lean mince and add some kidney beans - again make a big pot then freeze. You could have that with rice or veg/salad or even on a potato. other than that stews curries.

shop around for offers. Hope this helps!!!

I understand and sympathize! I am also Gluten Free and that is expensive. I do not like to cook batches that do not force me to eat the same thing for days on end.

There are websites devoted to this topic. Google something like, "how to eat healthy food on a strict budget," and see what you get. Are you planning your meals? That will help a lot. Are you shopping specials, checking to see what is on sale in a given week, and planning meals using those foods? That will help a lot, too. Do you make food from scratch? That will help. Healthy foods that are economical include beans and rice bought in bulk, whole chickens, and onions, carrots, and celery.

I don't agree that unhealthy food is more expensive than healthy food. It might be correct if the consumer shops at a place like Whole Foods and buys a lot of very high end groceries. But I do not think it is true if the person shops very carefully, plans meals, and shops at regular markets or ethnic markets. Even if we assume that unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food, though, it is a false economy, because those who eat poorly will pay many times over for eating unhealthy food in terms of health, the cost of treating poor health, and the cost of dealing with illness. I do think that eating healthy food on a budget requires some thought and advanced planning. It is not easy and it requires creativity. It can be done, though.

yea i have a problem planning meals, i have never done that before ever. i am new to all of this and i get frustrated and confused

I shop sales, bulk,and use coupons. I like to cook and freeze stuff.Good Luck!

What do U like to eat? Meat is pricey..I eat a lot of salads and it's costly..but shopping the sales and what is in season helps me..I use canned beans for added protein and chicken is cheaper than beef for me...I just eat whats in season I guess..I'm not on that tight of a budget but we do have to watch..we're a family of 4 and we have 2 kids so food is expensive..bad food is usually cheaper but healthy foods seem to make U feel full longer..after my big 2qt salad I'm stuffed...after fast food..I'm hungry quickly...U can make a lot of meals with beans..chili doesn't even need meat..soups...U can use beans and pasta..top Ur salads...canned tuna..shop Aldi? Not sure if U have it..but I'm sure it can be done.

Maybe you can give us a example of your normal shopping. Easier to help you find where you can save on your spending, if we know what you are spending your money on.

For example, i know that i spend most on lean meat (ie. chicken) So i buy one bulk pack, dice everything, measure out 100 grams and freeze in portions. Same with fish but with 150 grams. That way i only have to buy meat once a month. The rest i try and get as seasonal as possible (they are usually cheaper and on sale more often). I also only go shopping once a week, so i force myself to plan and to Finish what i have already bought.

well since i started to eat better i usually purchase chicken and alot of fruit and veggies. i look for recipes online and try to get the ones i think will taste good. i try to look for sales on fruits and veggies so i wont spend a ton on a couple of items. just seems to go so fast, of course i have a very very hard time just sticking to 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. with me having insomnia and only sleeping 3-4 hours a night i end up being hungry and eating late. usually i try and eat fruit like a apple and a orange. sometimes i get hungrier and i end up having what i made for dinner. i guess until i find a real doctor, and that wont happen in this dump of a city i will be stuck being awake and over eating