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Feb 10, 2012

Cheap Food

Let us first define cheap food as food that is inexpensive, but not of low quality. We can even add that this category of food needs to be wholesome in some way in regard to taste and nutritional content. There exists via the internet the ability to view literally thousands of recipes from countries all around the globe. So often inexpensive food translates into food that is inferior in both taste and content.
Up until recently people shared recipes with other folks that they interacted with and knew personally. The internet has changed this. When I surf the internet searching for cheap food recipes, I can gauge the inexpensive nature of the recipe by mentally adding up the cost of the ingredients, but I can't really evaluate the quality of taste. So, in an effort to eliminate the tedium of cooking every meal that you come across, you must first find a cook whose food you like.
I have tasted foods from around the world and find that the vast amount of cheap food is prepared rather poorly. The novelty of a kid eating land crab stew on an island in Honduras does not disguise the everyday low quality of food that characterizes the staple diet of the poor. If you were to ask a schoolroom full of Nicaraguan kids whether they knew someone in their immediate or extended family that had diabetes, most of the children would nod their head.
Cheap food done right is really an art that has been passed down for a few hundred years. Braised pig's feet may now be a popular delicacy on the menus of the upscale eateries in town, but it originated from a time when survival depended on utilizing all parts of the beast. Even the wealthy lived under this edict of nature. Cheap food meant the pickling and drying of foods; it meant using all possible means to store food. This now seems trivial to many of us westerners.
Cheap food in today's world usually means industrialized fast food, even to the poor. In Portland, Oregon the poor are able to use food stamps at the farmer's markets where the farmers come to sell directly to the public. So often inexpensive food, such as fast food, comes with costs that are not immediately apparent: the medical costs to the individual and society do not occur until years of eating fast food have passed. Cheap food can be done right; it can be easy on the wallet but still stock full of nutrients to keep us healthy.

Cheap Food for Thought

College students have many things, but time and cooking utensils aren't on the list. What they do probably have is a microwave, which is really all you need. If you live on campus you might have a meal plan, but they can be costly, the food is hit and miss, and let's face it, at 2:20 A.M. you are going to be up writing that 10-page paper you waited to the last minute to do, and the cafeteria is closed. It's a long night, and you need something now. Here are a few ideas.
Top Ramen tops the list. Okay, this shouldn't even be on the list because it so common. Still, there were times I lived off these bad boys and at 50 cents a pop, they aren't too bad, just add water and get ready for a little MSG. They even have a wide variety of flavors if you can taste the differences. Or if you are the creative type you can search online and find recipes to mix them into salads or bake them into casseroles, effectively ruining them.
Then there are frozen foods. I am not talking about raw chicken or meat that needs to be thawed and cooked. I'm talking about the big boxes of stuff you can buy almost wholesale and nuke for a quick meal. My personal favorites always included corny dogs (add ketchup for more fun), but don't forget about the good old burrito and fish sticks.
Remember all the breakfast junk cereals you weren't allowed to eat when you were young? Now is your time. You probably can't afford a lot of name brands, but a big bag of knock off Lucky Charms can really hit the spot in the morning, or night, or afternoon as well. Who wouldn't want to sit down to a nice bowl of Apple Dapples or Crispy Hexagons. Every grocery store in America has them and part of the fun is figuring out exactly what cereal they are really supposed to be. Just don't tell your mom, she will be so disappointed in you.
You can still rock sandwiches as well. Bread is cheap, and most fillings are too. Especially if you like peanut butter and jelly, and who doesn't? Experiment with them if you get bored and maybe subscribe to a jelly of the month club. Ever try peanut butter, banana and honey? It will change your life.
Lastly, local watering holes will also have great deals. Seriously, they love college students and at any given point in time, on any given day, there is a $4 burger and drink deal waiting for you. You may not get a lot of studying done but you will be fed well.
There you have, some quick, cheap and easy ways to grub at school. Is it healthy? Barely, but then again you are young and in COLLEGE, you will be fine and getting good home cooked meals and clean laundry is what your parents use to lure you into visiting them.

7 Cheap Foods to Burn Fat

Noticeably, many diet programs are not adopted by many people. Probably, the reason lays not the question of its efficiency but on prices of the menu it calls for. To be effective, these diet plans requires certain food and other ingredients which are too expensive.
Having influence by these diet plans, we overlooked the common foods that would be helpful in losing weight yet would not break off the bank. As these foods are common, it is cheaper yet will produce the same result, to burn fat.
Sweet potato. Having it boiled and grilled, sweet potato is included in many cleansing diet. Sweet potato contains lots of fiber. Fiber makes you feel full less the calorie thus, results to weight loss. Fiber cleans up the stomach wall and removes the toxins building up. The sweetness on this starchy food is a great way to suppress the appetite. Being a domestic food, sweet potato is a lot cheaper than other food required in most diet plans.
Potato. Just like sweet potato, potato contains lots of fiber. A misnomer on this food regarding it role in gaining weight is not true. The problem lies on the way it is cooked and not on the food itself. Potato contains high in fat and sodium when cooked as French fries and chips. However, boiled and grilled potatoes are so delicious less the sodium and fats. It contains lots of fiber that gives the feeling of fullness.
Zucchini. To burn fat faster, it is recommended to eat watery food. Watery foods are flushed out by the system, hence, lesser fat storage. Just like a fiber-rich foods, it gives the feeling of fullness. Among the domestic foods, zucchini would not break your budget. Moreover, it is delicious when steamed, boiled, and even grilled.
Pineapple. Deliciously fresh or cooked, pineapples are not so expensive. Also available in can, pineapple contains lot of nutrients and fibers. Being one of the herbal medicines, these highly-nutritious foods can serve as a pain reliever, and can cure indigestion.
Eggs. Widely available, eggs are always part of a breakfast. This food contains full of vitamins. Moreover, it is high in protein which is vital in building muscles. Needless to say, more muscle mass improve the body's ability to burn off fats. Aside from this, eggs are low in prices.
Tuna meat. Tuna contains high in Omega 3 that improves cardiovascular system. It improves heart function and blood circulation which in turn improves metabolism. Also, it is high in protein which is necessary in building muscles. As a result, lean muscles are developed and fats are dissolved.
Water. Consider as universal, water is everywhere, thus, its availability is not an issue. It plays great part in losing weight because it flushes out toxins and waste materials. Containing no calorie nor fat, water is recommended to be drink before eating because it can suppress the appetite. Moreover, it keeps body hydrated which is vital in higher metabolic rate.
Burning fat does not necessarily mean losing your budget. There are many common foods which are inexpensive yet helpful in shedding off excess pounds. Furthermore, these foods are easy to prepare and would not need expensive ingredients or a difficult cooking techniques.

Cheap Food Options in New York City

A main concern of anyone planning a trip to New York is the amount of money that they will spend on food. In fact, this city has some of best eating options in the whole of the US. The size and diversity of the population also ensures that practically every cuisine in the world is catered for.
We all know that New York is a vast, multi cultural metropolis, which so good news for us as we will be able to find any kind of cuisine. You can literally eat your way around the world without leaving the city or breaking the bank. One of my personal favorites is Falafel, and one of the best shops serving this is in New York is Rainbow Falafel. Whether you have tried it before, you are in for a tasty treat.
New York and hot dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly, and the best hot dogs I've found are at Gray's Papaya. The price is astounding; 2 hotdogs and a drink for $2, wow! The decor leaves a lot to be desired however and is of the standard you would expect from somewhere that only charges $2 for a meal. So ignore the lack of decoration and concentrate on your hotdogs.
If you like your sandwiches big and meaty and full of flavor, head down to Tony Luke's. They are huge, and a side order of fries with cheese and a soda make for a very satisfying meal. You are probably really hungry after reading about all this food, but the main point of this article is to let you all know that despite popular belief, there are many places in New York where you can eat well without it costing the earth.
Isn't it a great feeling that you can now enjoy your trip to New York without constantly worrying about having enough money to eat? It's also good to know that cheap in New York doesn't mean poor quality.

Smart Food Shopping is Buying Cheap Food

With spiraling food prices, it is smart to shop smart. Buy what you want when it is on sale. Are there some foods that you need everyday? Stock up when they are cheap if they are nonperishable. If they are perishable, buy when they are on sale and substitute with cheap perishables. Saving money on food can be fun.
You get a variety of what you want, because all core foods go on sale once in a while. Here are ten more ways to get cheap food.
  • Plan your shopping. Make a written shopping list or a computer shopping list from your favorite store. Avoid impulse buying. Supermarkets have made it easy to make lists online. Read the newspaper on Wednesday to see what's on sale. When you are ready to go shopping, go to the computer to make your list. But remember, saving money on food is not just about reaching that 30% to 60% savings goal; it's also about not buying on impulse. Make a list of what you need and stick to it. If what you need is not on sale, buy the store brand until what you need goes on sale, then stock up.
  • Stock up when your favorite supermarket has sales. But don't buy just because it is on sale. Supermarkets often use loss leaders to entice spontaneous buyers into their store to buy more than they need. Again, buy only what you need or can use later. Stock up on toilet paper, soap and other such items on sale. Canned vegetables are a good substitute when produce is not on sale. So stock up with canned goods use them when you can't buy the fresh ones. In other words, buy the cheap food. You can also buy meat on sale, cook up some extra and freeze for sandwiches.
  • Buy store brand products. Retail stores often have brands, usually specific to a chain (e.g. Kroger, Select, etc.). Some store brands are better than the national brands. Occasionally, national brands may be on sale, but the store brands are usually cheaper since the retailer can save on production and advertising costs. Store brand products are often manufactured by these same national companies. Look for products advertising "no added sugars" or "packed in juice or water." Spice the product up with spices, vegetables and other mixtures. For example, buy the cheapest brand of spaghetti sauce and add onions, mushrooms and tasty spices.
  • Buy produce in season. The quality of fruits and vegetables is best when the price is the lowest. Generally, the supermarket ads will let you know what produce is in season by the sales that are currently running. It is a good idea to buy the freshest produce possible; otherwise you will find yourself throwing away overripe fruits and vegetables.
  • Watch those coupons. If your favorite store doubles the value of your coupons, there must be a reason. Perhaps, it's an item that is hard to sell or maybe the coupon is for items that you don't need. Compare the coupon items with store brands; in most cases, the store brand will be cheaper. And be careful on 2-for-1 sales. The store wants you to buy more than you really need.
  • Be wise when buying by the piece or pound. If cucumbers are on sale 5 for $1, buy the larger pieces. If bananas are on sale for 39 cents per pound, buy the smaller bananas. Don't forget, people concerned with their weight are always on a diet. Eat the smaller fruit.
  • Use a small cart or no cart at all. If your list is small, carry the small hand carry cart or don't use a cart at all. Using the large cart facilitates impulse buying.
  • If you are hungry don't go shopping. It makes impulse-buying easier. Go shopping after a meal or eat a snack before going to the store. If you forget to eat before shopping, go to the produce section and smell an apple. Supposedly, that will curb your hunger. It works for some people and others say it does not work for them.