Frugal Living 101: Frugal Foods

Are you on a tight budget and looking for an inexpensive way to feed your family, or even just yourself? There are some foods out there that are always inexpensive, yet provide good taste and nutrition when prepared correctly. Here are some of them.

1. Beans

Yes, I said beans. All kinds of beans. They make a great, and very cheap, meat alternative. They are an excellent source of protein, contain only 2-3% fat, are high in fiber, have no cholesterol, are high in carbohydrates, and are fool of other vitamins and minerals. And did I mention that they're cheap? Beans can be purchase for less than 10 cents an ounce, compared to meats at over 20 cents an ounce. Varieties of beans include lentils, kidney beans, northern beans, lima beans, black beans, green beans, pinto beans and more. The ways to cook them are endless, from Pinto Beans and Rice, to Black Bean Soup, to Lentil Shepherd's Pie. Soups, salads, casseroles, you name it, beans can go in. Beans can also be substituted for meat to make a tasty vegetarian hamburger.

2. Rice

Rice is cheap. And rice is very flexible as well. It can be purchased for less than 10 cents an ounce, and rice goes a very, very long way. One cup of dry rice will yield about two cups of cooked rice. It can be mixed with other foods, used as a based for vegetables, or eaten alone. Nutritionally, rice contains complex carbohydrates, potassium, several vitamins and minerals, and is low in fat and calories. With it you can make Spanish Rice, many oriental dishes, rice cakes, rice pancakes, and more.

3. Carrots

As far as vegetables go, carrots are cheap. They are high in vitamins, and contain no fat. They have vitamin C and a single carrot has a whopping 270% of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A. They can be eaten alone for a quick snack to stave off the munchies, or cooked in soups, stews, casseroles and more.

4. Eggs

Another cheap food with LOTS of possible uses. Eggs pack a huge nutritional punch, containing huge portions of recommended nutrients. Cook them by themselves, use them in other dishes, get creative.

5. Popcorn

This low-cost, non-fat (when eaten without toppings) food is the ultimate in cheap snacks. Covered in butter, cheese, or any other creative topping you can come up with, popcorn is sure to satisfy your snack craving without breaking the bank.

Coming soon I'll be publishing other hints for frugal living, and posting some great recipes that use these cheap, but nutritious, foods.