I like to eat as nutriously as anyone, however, I don't have much for groceries. Interested in food ideas?!
Answers: If you have enough space you could grow some veg. on a patio or in window boxes. Cherry tomato plants grow like weeds and do well in most climates. Herbs and the like, can even be grown indoors. You could join a CSA, (crop-sharing organization) or Co-op additionally. Don't know if you want to go this "extreme" but, vegan and vegetarian diets are much more affordable than carnivorous diets as well.
www.hillbillyhousewife.com
It is a matter of choosing the most nutritious items that are available within your budget. Primarily you should not use a lot of prepared or boxed food since they are most frequently filled with extra calories and salt. Watch the sales circulars for your local stores and over time fill your pantry with non parishable items that will extend your options.
some good choices are as follows
pasta, noodles, rice, beans, canned tomatoes (look for no salt added ones) tuna, eggs, peanut butter. Dry beans are inexpensive and can be fixed in a number of ways. It does take more time but is well worth the effort.
Look for the day old bread, when you get it home divide it and place portions in the freezer. They will be fresh when you take out a days supply and defrost.
Watch for the reduced price fresh vegetables and fruits, you can often get them much cheaper but you do need to be careful in picking them out so that you are really getting usable ones. You can take vegetables that are very ripe and make stir fry or soup out of them. Fruits may also be stewed if they are getting over ripe.
Meats are more difficult on a limited budget. However you can take some of the less expensive cuts and by braising them or using a slow cooker make excellent meals. Invest in a good cookbook such as the Joy of Cooking and it will be helpful.
You may qualify for food stamps or WIC. You can also go to your local food pantry (closet) if you are having trouble affording to eat properly and obtain some assistance.
Hope this has been helpful.
When money has been tight I would go to the cheap vegetable part where they mark the vegetables down and buy everything that I can blanch then freeze.
Potatoes make your own chips
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Beans
Carrots
Peas
I make a medley of Veges like they have in the shops but a lot cheaper.
I also freeze leftovers for another meal.
i have to agree with nicky and suggest the hillbillyhousewife website. my family hasn't had much grocery money lately either and it was really starting to bug me that we couldn't eat healthy on a tiny food budget and i come across that site that has a $45 menu for a weeks worth of food that will actually be good for you. there are tons of recipes there too and alot of it is scratch cooking which is better for you and can make eating less costly.