Very low budget diet

[xees]

Hey, i'm a first time poster - but i've been watching the forums for a few months now. I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help me stick to a good diet on a very low budget (i am going to university next month, have resolved not to consume any alcohol and stick to a healthy diet).

By the way, i live in England, so bare in mind that we don't have most of the shops that i've seen mentioned on these forums before.
Cheers,
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[UpNorth]

Are you on a meal plan a your school? If so just make the right food choices. If you're on your own be willing to buy whatever is on sale whether it is chicken, pork or brocolli, fresh or frozen. Also, don't bother with any pre-packaged foods -- those will really take a bite out of your budget. Remember the freezer is your friend, buy in bulk when on sale and cook it, then freeze it.

Also, don't worry about purchasing any supplements. Proper food choices is 99% of the game. Supplements are generally either a convenience or a waste of money. On a tight budget you can't afford either.

[RobLL]

Bulk whey protein drink would be an exception to no supplements. It is as cheap as $4/lb. Sorry I don't have the pound/kilogram conversions in my head. I don't know how English grocers do their ads, here in the Seattle area most grocery ads are in the Wed. paper. I recommend getting those ads. You may find some things that fit your desired diet on sale. Here in the US we call them loss-leaders, items sold under cost to get you in the store. Some grocers are annoyed with buyers who buy mostly loss leaders. Tough! Rob

[emartin10]

I lived off of tuna fish, chicken breasts, and sliced turkey in college. Get a little electric grill and grill up some chicken each week, and keep that in your fridge. Tuna and turkey sandwichs (can find the bread in your dining hall) and good whole grains. You can pick up some good veggies for cheap and have carrots, celery and pb or hummus. As UpNorth said, avoid the pre-packaged stuff. If you do the work yourself, you'll save a bundle.

E

[xees]

Well, as it happens i'm on my own buying my own food. I don't like the idea of having to eat what they put infront at me, and at set intervals...i wouldn't be able to fit 5-6 small meals in then anywho.

Anyway, what do you mean by pre-packaged foods? An example? Well, i'm not going to be drinking alcohol so i figure that'll save me some money, so i might be able to calculate some whey into my budget every now and again. Which will certainly be useful for those times where i find it hard to find that bit of extra protein, and it tastes great in oatmeal too.

[RobLL]

One question none of us asked, and should have, What are your cooking and storage facilities? Stove top, oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, etc?

[xees]

Well, i presume Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Oven - the essentials. Although i'm not 100% sure as of yet.

[UpNorth]

Prepacked foods would be anything already prepared. Marinated, pre-cooked meats, packages of mixed lettuce, boxes of cereal (buying grain in bulk is cheaper), etc. Stick to the meat, produce and dairy sections of the grocery store and you'll avoid most prepackaged foods.

It's not the easiest way to live, it takes discipline and time, but it is the cheapest and healthiest. And it will give you good habits that will last a lifetime.

Good Luck.

[xees]

Thanks, well i'm going there in about a month and i'll have regular internet access, so i'll keep people posted on the situation and progress.

[Gradstudent78]

Are you living in a dorm or an apartment? Most dorms or apartments (at least in the states) don't come with a microwave standard. So you might need to spring for one if you don't already own one.

[emartin10]

When I say pre-packaged, I mean frozen microwave dinners, anything in a can (soup, spagetti-o's), EZ-Mac, the basics of college living basically. Avoid those, and you're golden. I also had a plug in rice cooker that I loved.

E