The Best Food To Buy When Your Flat Broke

Being broke is rough. Going to the grocery store with only a few dollars and some change can be stressful. The good news is there are some foods out there that will fill you up without breaking the bank. Here are some of the best food to buy when you’re flat broke.

1. Beans

Beans are great for people who need food to last until their next paycheck. They are very cheap and can last you quite a long time. The average price persevering of beans comes out to be around only 15 cents. Buying a pound or 2 of dry beans will only cost a few bucks and last you for months. Beans come in many different forms so you can different types each time you go to the store. You can also put beans an many different dishes such as burritos and salads. This way you don’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over again.

Beans also have some health benefits. They are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. This is why they fill you up so quickly. Beans contain many essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium, folic acid, and B6. Next time you are grocery shopping on a budget, you might want to pick yourself up a big bag of beans.

2. Frozen Veggies

Many people believe that frozen veggies are not as nutritious as fresh vegetables. This could not be farther from the truth. Most frozen vegetables have just as much nutritional value as fresh veggies. The great thing about frozen veggies is you can buy in bulk without having to worry about an expiration date (as long as you have a freezer of course). Frozen veggies are usually cheaper than fresh veggies and have triple the shelf life. 

There hundreds of different vegetables available so you could make a different one each day of the week so you don’t get bored with it. Much like beans, veggies are easy to make and can be put into many different dishes. One night, you could have a veggie stir fry while the next night having vegetable soup. Frozen veggies are one of the healthiest foods you can buy while on a budget.

3. Rice

Rice is one of the best foods to buy when you’re broke. A few pounds of rice won’t cost an arm or a leg and It can last you quite a long time. You can mix rice with pretty much anything as well. Veggies, beans, soup, no matter the dish, rice will pair up perfectly with it. Rice is also very easy to fix and does not require much preparation time. You just put a cup of rice with 2 cups of water in a pot and boil it until its finished.

White rice might not be the healthiest food option on this list but there are some healthier rice variations. Brown rice is known to be high in fiber and can help lower cholesterol. It is just as filling as white rice but a bit better for you. You can eat a cut of brown rice and be stuffed for at least a couple of hours. Mix it with some beans and you are full for most of the day.

4. Eggs

Eggs are an essential part of an American breakfast. They are full of vitamins and minerals that you need to get you through a busy day at the office. The protein will curve your appetite for hours allowing you to take on whatever the world throws your way. Eggs are also great for people who only have a few bucks to their name. They are very cheap and will last you quite a while.

One of the best things about eggs is that you can do so many different things with them. You can scramble, fry, and even boil them. There are tons of different recipes you can look up so you never get bored of them. Adding them to your breakfast taco or making an omelet are also good ways to change up your cooking methods.

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5. Canned Chicken or Tuna

Canned chicken and tuna are some of the best canned food you can. Both are high in protein and will fill you up for a good portion of the day. Both canned chicken and tuna are full of vitamins and minerals your body needs to produce energy. They are also rich in fiber. Canned chicken/tuna can also be added to many different foods. Heat up some canned chicken and throw it in with some rice or vegetables and you have a meal that could feed a family.

Everyone knows that canned food can last for years and years before spoiling. Buy canned food is a very cheap way to stock up without having to worry about anything going bad. Most canned chicken and tuna are priced under a dollar so it is always a good idea to grab a couple every time you go to the store.

6. Pasta

Most college kids live off ramen when they are low on cash since it is only a couple of cents on average. What is funny is most people don’t view ramen as a pasta, just some weird hybrid that fills you up. If you can save a few extra dollars and grab a big box of spaghetti or macaroni, you will have a much more enjoyable eating experience without destroying your wallet.

Much like rice, Pasta is a relatively cheap food that you can bulk and is great for mixing into other dishes. Mixing pasta with frozen veggies, canned chicken, and tomato sauce can feed 3 grown adults for under 10 bucks. It has a long shelf life as well so you don’t have to worry about wasting your money if you don’t use it within a few days. It is always a smart idea to have a little bit of pasta in your cabinet when you are short on cash and need something to tide yourself over.

Being broke sucks but it doesn’t mean you have to go hungry. If you shop smart and grab some of these items next time you are grocery shopping, you will be eating like a king even though you feel like a pauper. Feel free to share some of your favorite cheap foods in the comments below.

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