Cheap ways to eat healthy without having to cook

[vivalarevolución]

I'm tired of going to the grocery store and cooking.  I will start having my food delivered and making occasional trips to Costco.  I am wondering how I can eat healthy without having to cook or do much food prep, because it takes up too much of my day.  Anybody have some tips?

[demik]

costco free samples, membership is like what.. 40 bucks a year?

[Puddsy]

Cooking at home is statistically the cheapest and best way to eat healthy.

[tp4tissue]

For a time I did my own soylent..

Ate that for about a year and a half..  cooked it once a week...

Chicken breast + assorted vegetables..

I would boil it all together, then blend the chicken breast in the blender.. and put it back into the mix..

No cutting of the vegetable until it's done boiling.. (easier to cut then)


Now.. it tastes... NOT GOOD... especially after a year and a half.. but as far as nutritional quality.. It's basically chicken veggie stew.. so nothing wrong there.

took me 1 hour prep time each time, and the cooking was about 2 hours.. but there's nothing hard about it since it's just 1 pot, set timer, go read a book for 2 hours.

[munch]

prep a lot of stews soups salads whatever, stuff that freezes and keeps, and reheat.
I used to do this all the time, was super cheap in the long run too. one mega pot a weekend basically. and switch things around with eating diff things with it, that takes literally just a few minutes to arrange. like, chop up onions, eat with tortilla chips, storebought tacos that you heat in a pan in second, cut up lettuce leaves, serve with sourcream, salsa, whatever. simple super quick things that is basically about reheating it.

note that I don't really know how to use a microwave properly, so it might be even faster using one of those?

[fohat.digs]

When I was single, I still cooked dinners for 4 and packed 3 of them for later.

Food sitting out for hours, then finally getting packed up, has already been exposed and started to deteriorate.

When food is cooked, it has been pretty well sterilized. If you pack it up relatively quickly, warm/hot, and not having been exposed to the air for very long, it will keep in the refrigerator for quite a long time - 2-3 weeks, often, if you keep the temperature not too far above freezing.

[noisyturtle]

Whenever I prepare large servings I wind up eating it all at once

[vivalarevolución]

Cooking at home is statistically the cheapest and best way to eat healthy.

But I don't want to cook anymore.

When I was single, I still cooked dinners for 4 and packed 3 of them for later.

Food sitting out for hours, then finally getting packed up, has already been exposed and started to deteriorate.

When food is cooked, it has been pretty well sterilized. If you pack it up relatively quickly, warm/hot, and not having been exposed to the air for very long, it will keep in the refrigerator for quite a long time - 2-3 weeks, often, if you keep the temperature not too far above freezing.

Yea, I do that once a week or so, but I'm getting tired of even cooking that much.  Like my cooking apathy is it's highest level ever. Yet I am still concerned about eating healthy.

prep a lot of stews soups salads whatever, stuff that freezes and keeps, and reheat.
I used to do this all the time, was super cheap in the long run too. one mega pot a weekend basically. and switch things around with eating diff things with it, that takes literally just a few minutes to arrange. like, chop up onions, eat with tortilla chips, storebought tacos that you heat in a pan in second, cut up lettuce leaves, serve with sourcream, salsa, whatever. simple super quick things that is basically about reheating it.

note that I don't really know how to use a microwave properly, so it might be even faster using one of those?

What I said above.  Maybe I should just focus on preparing something on the weekend.  Or get rich enough so I don't have to work anymore and I don't have to worry about theses weekend things anymore.

[vivalarevolución]

So Geekhack doesn't seem to know much about this.  Darn it.  I ordered some MRE's off Ebay.  We'll see how that works.

[Puddsy]

So Geekhack doesn't seem to know much about this.  Darn it.  I ordered some MRE's off Ebay.  We'll see how that works.

Have fun with that. That was an awful idea. Not good for your digestion at all.

[vivalarevolución]

So Geekhack doesn't seem to know much about this.  Darn it.  I ordered some MRE's off Ebay.  We'll see how that works.

Have fun with that. That was an awful idea. Not good for your digestion at all.

I've had them before and it wasn't too bad.  I have a strong stomach.

[hwood34]

So Geekhack doesn't seem to know much about this.  Darn it.  I ordered some MRE's off Ebay.  We'll see how that works.

as a foodie, this is the most cringe worthy thing I've seen in a while. But to each his own

[vivalarevolución]

So Geekhack doesn't seem to know much about this.  Darn it.  I ordered some MRE's off Ebay.  We'll see how that works.

as a foodie, this is the most cringe worthy thing I've seen in a while. But to each his own

They really aren't that bad, in my opinion.  I'll probably last a week with them.  Plus, Ameriqual A-Pack are made in Indiana.  Go Hoosiers!

[iri]

Meals Rejected by Ethiopians, yummy.

[intelli78]

Bro, I am pretty sure MREs are terrible for you.

Some options:

- Get healthy stuff from chipotle. Order online and pick up in store to skip the line. Subway is also decent and cheap.
- Eat raw foods and stuff that requires minimal preparation like tuna.
- Look into a service that delivers prepackaged meals ($$$)

I usually try for a combination of the first two options.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Meals Rejected by Ethiopians, yummy.

Lol

[tp4tissue]

Meals Rejected by Ethiopians, yummy.

Lol

also,  cheap,  and healthy are relative..

Ethiopians might still be able to be healthy eating MREs because they get ample exercise, and it would be cheap because they got it through subsidies..

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Cheap is relative yes, but healthy much less so...

[hwood34]

- Get healthy stuff from chipotle.

Cheap ways

[Lastpilot]

Sometimes I feel healthy when I order from Pita Pit. They deliver too lol.

[vivalarevolución]

Bro, I am pretty sure MREs are terrible for you.

Some options:

- Get healthy stuff from chipotle. Order online and pick up in store to skip the line. Subway is also decent and cheap.
- Eat raw foods and stuff that requires minimal preparation like tuna.
- Look into a service that delivers prepackaged meals ($$$)

I usually try for a combination of the first two options.

Gosh, I'm picky.  Those options all seem like too much work or too expensive.  Just give me some soylent green, and I can be done with this nonsense.

[tp4tissue]

Cheap is relative yes, but healthy much less so...

dying at age 12 from malnutrition vs obesity at age 25..

the Age 25 guy is still healthier than the 12 kid right ?

so you see,,   RELATIVE..


vs an olympic medalist that lives to 90 and can still jog around in the mornings..  they're still both totally unhealthy.

[Booper]

I like to eat these things in rosemary & italian. They are a bit high in sodium, but what isn't? They are cheap and pretty good too if you like vegetables. Sometimes I make a big batch of rice or quinoa with black beans/corn and then use that to make nachos, quesadillas, etc for the week. That's a pretty quick one. If you like salads at all, you could try prepping some salad jars once a week or something too.
All in all, cooking is time consuming and eating out is either unhealthy & cheap, or healthy & expensive :/

Also, sandwiches + panini press = delicious & simple meals

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Cheap is relative yes, but healthy much less so...

dying at age 12 from malnutrition vs obesity at age 25..

the Age 25 guy is still healthier than the 12 kid right ?

so you see,,   RELATIVE..

That argument makes absolutely no sense... they're both dead, therefore they're both equally unhealthy.

The only thing relative about it is which form of unhealthy behavior killed them, which I suppose is what you're basing your argument on. On that front, I won't disagree...

[tp4tissue]

Cheap is relative yes, but healthy much less so...

dying at age 12 from malnutrition vs obesity at age 25..

the Age 25 guy is still healthier than the 12 kid right ?

so you see,,   RELATIVE..

That argument makes absolutely no sense... they're both dead, therefore they're both equally unhealthy.

The only thing relative about it is which form of unhealthy behavior killed them, which I suppose is what you're basing your argument on. On that front, I won't disagree...

one died BEFORE the other..   

At any point of analysis.. a living person is healthier than a dead one..

[dorkvader]

Cooking at home is statistically the cheapest and best way to eat healthy.

Like many cheap things, it takes more time. If you can convert that time into making money from more work, then home cooking is much more expensive due to the time involved.

If you can't monetarily capitalize on such time then it's much cheaper than other options, yes.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Cheap is relative yes, but healthy much less so...

dying at age 12 from malnutrition vs obesity at age 25..

the Age 25 guy is still healthier than the 12 kid right ?

so you see,,   RELATIVE..

That argument makes absolutely no sense... they're both dead, therefore they're both equally unhealthy.

The only thing relative about it is which form of unhealthy behavior killed them, which I suppose is what you're basing your argument on. On that front, I won't disagree...

one died BEFORE the other..   

At any point of analysis.. a living person is healthier than a dead one..

Oh right...

My mistake... I forgot time is a factor...

[tp4tissue]

Cooking at home is statistically the cheapest and best way to eat healthy.

Like many cheap things, it takes more time. If you can convert that time into making money from more work, then home cooking is much more expensive due to the time involved.

If you can't monetarily capitalize on such time then it's much cheaper than other options, yes.

I think that argument is only true in very low income situations.. below poverty line(usa) or third world..


If you're in the USA and above the poverty line..  at least personally, I find that ANYTHING is more interesting and worthwhile  than eating..

[vivalarevolución]

I like to eat these things in rosemary & italian. They are a bit high in sodium, but what isn't? They are cheap and pretty good too if you like vegetables. Sometimes I make a big batch of rice or quinoa with black beans/corn and then use that to make nachos, quesadillas, etc for the week. That's a pretty quick one. If you like salads at all, you could try prepping some salad jars once a week or something too.
All in all, cooking is time consuming and eating out is either unhealthy & cheap, or healthy & expensive :/

Also, sandwiches + panini press = delicious & simple meals

Okay, thanks for these suggestions.  I guess that I have to nail down exactly what I'm looking to eliminate from my shopping,meal prep, and cooking.  Basically, I want to eliminate nearly all trips to the grocery store and all food prep besides heating something up or mixing raw ingredients together.  All while still eating cheap and healthy.  I have grown tired of the mundane activities related to the process of feeding myself, yet I'm still a cheapo and want to eat healthy.  In addition, I have a taste for fresh, local produce, and grocery store produce simply does not look or taste very good once you develop that taste.

I probably should bite the bullet and pay someone to prepare dinner meals for me that I could throw in the freezer or fridge and eat later in the week.

[SpAmRaY]

I like to eat these things in rosemary & italian. They are a bit high in sodium, but what isn't? They are cheap and pretty good too if you like vegetables. Sometimes I make a big batch of rice or quinoa with black beans/corn and then use that to make nachos, quesadillas, etc for the week. That's a pretty quick one. If you like salads at all, you could try prepping some salad jars once a week or something too.
All in all, cooking is time consuming and eating out is either unhealthy & cheap, or healthy & expensive :/

Also, sandwiches + panini press = delicious & simple meals

Okay, thanks for these suggestions.  I guess that I have to nail down exactly what I'm looking to eliminate from my shopping,meal prep, and cooking.  Basically, I want to eliminate nearly all trips to the grocery store and all food prep besides heating something up or mixing raw ingredients together.  All while still eating cheap and healthy.  I have grown tired of the mundane activities related to the process of feeding myself, yet I'm still a cheapo and want to eat healthy.  In addition, I have a taste for fresh, local produce, and grocery store produce simply does not look or taste very good once you develop that taste.

I probably should bite the bullet and pay someone to prepare dinner meals for me that I could throw in the freezer or fridge and eat later in the week.

You need a significant other.

[jacobolus]

You need a significant other.

Yep, exactly. Or even some friends / roommates. Cooking and eating with 2+ people is much more fun than cooking just for yourself and eating by yourself.

[iri]

yeah, really, OP, find a girl. girls can make sandwiches.

[vivalarevolución]

You need a significant other.

Yep, exactly. Or even some friends / roommates. Cooking and eating with 2+ people is much more fun than cooking just for yourself and eating by yourself.

Yea, I was thinking that, but I didn't want to play into any overt stereotypes on the role of a significant other.  I'm not the type to expect a woman to cook and clean for me, but some help with these activities would be nice.

I have roommates, but our schedules have significant nonalignment. 

[Booper]

You need a significant other.

Yep, exactly. Or even some friends / roommates. Cooking and eating with 2+ people is much more fun than cooking just for yourself and eating by yourself.

Yea, I was thinking that, but I didn't want to play into any overt stereotypes on the role of a significant other.  I'm not the type to expect a woman to cook and clean for me, but some help with these activities would be nice.

I have roommates, but our schedules have significant nonalignment.

Haha, yea. sounds like you need a maid, maybe! Fresh, organic, healthy, prepared meals can't just show up at your table for cheap! I try to cook almost every day and it's exhausting, but if I want healthy food that I know the ingredients of, then time is the price I must pay! Good on you for not expecting all that from a girlfriend.

[vivalarevolución]

yeah, really, OP, find a girl. girls can make sandwiches.

No thanks.  Too many carbs.

[jacobolus]

The point of a girlfriend/roommate/parent/friend/... is not to have someone to be your servant. The point is to have someone to do stuff together with. Cooking together is fun (and many cooking tasks can done in parallel, so it’s usually faster too). Taking turns cooking for each-other is also fun. Cooking meals for two–four people doesn’t generally take much more work than cooking for one. Eating together with other people is a bit slower but usually more satisfying than eating by yourself.

I know when I was single, whenever I was just eating by myself I tended to either make fast boring unhealthy things or eat at restaurants, and I’d put off grocery shopping until I was completely out of food. When cooking and shopping together with roommates, we made much healthier food.

[tp4tissue]

they got breadless ones..

[vivalarevolución]

The point of a girlfriend/roommate/parent/friend/... is not to have someone to be your servant. The point is to have someone to do stuff together with. Cooking together is fun (and many cooking tasks can done in parallel, so it’s usually faster too). Taking turns cooking for each-other is also fun. Cooking meals for two–four people doesn’t generally take much more work than cooking for one. Eating together with other people is a bit slower but usually more satisfying than eating by yourself.

I know when I was single, whenever I was just eating by myself I tended to either make fast boring unhealthy things or eat at restaurants, and I’d put off grocery shopping until I was completely out of food. When cooking and shopping together with roommates, we made much healthier food.

Yea, exactly, I completely agree with you.  Many of life's activities are more enjoyable, fulfilling, and satisfying when shared with someone.  As humans, we seem to feel incomplete with a life of solitude, despite the American worship of the "independent individual."

[tp4tissue]

Tp4 lives a life of solitude.. he felt incomplete.. until the Egdx came into his life.. It was all sunshines all the time from then on..

[vivalarevolución]

Tp4 lives a life of solitude.. he felt incomplete.. until the Egdx came into his life.. It was all sunshines all the time from then on..

Show Image

The machines do provide some solace, because if you treat them well, they work well for you.  Humans cannot offer such guarantees.

[iri]

yeah, really, OP, find a girl. girls can make sandwiches.

No thanks.  Too many carbs.

which your body needs.

or find yourself a russian girl. she will cook you borsch, which is basically vegetables and meat.
works well for me.

[vivalarevolución]

yeah, really, OP, find a girl. girls can make sandwiches.

No thanks.  Too many carbs.

which your body needs.

or find yourself a russian girl. she will cook you borsch, which is basically vegetables and meat.
works well for me.

I've been burned with mail order brides before.  No thanks.  Unless you have some recommendations.

[MGH]

Ramen+Egg+Bok Choy

[katushkin]

If you have seriously considered MRE's over cooking real food, you might as well just live on Cup a Soups/Pot Noodles/equivalent.

I can tell you, living more than a week of MREs is a going to **** your digestive system up. It's meant to clog your insides up.

However, the dump you will have at the end is amazing.

[dante]

Today was day 1 of this: http://diy.soylent.me/recipes/stephen-fuel

I'm not starving - any more than I was on Medifast.  I only have a 7 day supply so we'll see how it goes.  I might throw in some PB2.

So far it's tasting like a brown rice smoothie.

[vivalarevolución]

Today was day 1 of this: http://diy.soylent.me/recipes/stephen-fuel

I'm not starving - any more than I was on Medifast.  I only have a 7 day supply so we'll see how it goes.  I might throw in some PB2.

So far it's tasting like a brown rice smoothie.

Oh god.  Needs sugar.

[Mandolin]

[katushkin]

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Sorry, but everything about that, like all venn diagrams, is bull****

[dante]

Today was day 1 of this: http://diy.soylent.me/recipes/stephen-fuel

I'm not starving - any more than I was on Medifast.  I only have a 7 day supply so we'll see how it goes.  I might throw in some PB2.

So far it's tasting like a brown rice smoothie.

Oh god.  Needs sugar.

I found this.  I'll throw one in the cart when I order all the ingredients.  A couple reviews said it was "too sweet."  So I'm hoping I can add 4-6 tablespoons and still be considered ketogenic.

I'm surprised no one has tried to make a powdered almond butter by now.

[jacobolus]

Show Image

This Venn diagram contains literally only one piece of information, which is much better expressed as a simple sentence: “Anyone who claims to have something that is good, fast, and cheap is dreaming.” (I think this statement happens to be wrong, but let’s leave that aside.) Everything else is entirely tautological. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more useless diagram.