Tag Archives: Budget

Food

Eating good, cheap, and gluten free

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When I started this blog, my idea was to figure out how to eat good gluten free food on a slim budget.  Then I got back from the grocery store the other day with an expensive pile of gourmet grub and I realized just as soon as I had an opportunity I was spending as much as I could on steaks, fruit, wine, and fresh veggies.

So before I completely forget, here are some of the foods that got me through the times when I couldn’t afford such luxuries at the grocery store:

  • Rice is a great choice for a lot of reasons.  For a starchy food, it is also pretty good for ya.  In addition to that, it stores well for long periods of time and cooks easily.  Did I mention you can get giant bags of the stuff for next to nothing?  It can be bland on its own, but a little bit of salt, butter, soy sauce, or sesame oil does wonders for making it taste great.
  • Beans are a great, cheap way to get some protein and iron.  Mix them up with the rice and you’ve got a classic dish that is well balanced for taste and nutrition.
  • Eggs are the closest you’re going to get to meat though, without completely breaking the bank.  Eggs rich in omega-3 fatty acids can be a little more expensive, but they still deliver a great amount of protein and essential fats for a couple of bucks.
  • Milk isn’t exactly the cheapest stuff in the world, but if you’re able to tolerate lactose, it is really pretty good to have around.  It is well balanced between sugar, fat, and protein, and it is heavy on calcium & vitamin d (assuming it is fortified).   What is really great about milk is that it is one of the most balanced whole foods you can eat without any kind of preparation.  When you’re hungry and don’t want to cook, a glass or two of whole milk can be pretty satisfying.
  • Onions and peppers can vary wildly in price through the year, but when they’re cheap they’re a great way to add fresh vegetables to your eggs and rice.
  • Tea is probably going to be the best drink around in a rock bottom price range.  A box of 100 bags is available for the price of a soda bottle, but instead of processed sugars you get some antioxidants.  It is also enjoyable hot or cold, so it is a drink that can stick with you through the year.

While it might not be the world’s most exciting diet, it is a pretty healthy one that remains both cheap and completely gluten free.  It can be expensive to rely on meat for every meal, but it is definitely a great treat to mix up the routine and on special occasions.

Food

Eat Well, Eat Cheap

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Here’s an example of what I got on my last trip to the grocery store. Just because you can’t eat gluten and don’t have much money to spend on food doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy healthy and delicious meals:

3/4 lb lean steak – $3.50
1 lb 93/7 ground beef – $3
1 lb asparagus – $2.50
2 lb broccoli – $3.25
2 boxes Chex – $6.30
1.5 lb muscadines – $4
1 gallon milk – $2.50
8 oz mozorella – $2

That’s about $6.50 for meat, $6.50 for green veggies, and $6.50 for grains. Dairy and fruits are about $4 each.

This will last me a week in addition to some things that are left over. Eggs, coffee, sugar, butter, all those basics are pretty cheap and don’t have to be purchased every week.

Just make sure you’re stocked up on pepper, salt, garlic powder, and some basic herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. From there, you can make a lot of delicious meals in no time, for low cost!

Right now, I’m sitting around, waiting for a few of those thin-sliced lean steaks to sear up a little bit. There’s also about a half pound of brocolli steaming next to it. Despite the steak and eggs I had for breakfast, and the multiple bowls of cereal in between, my body is ready for the next round of healthy foods and my energy levels are staying high.

Now, if I could just get a little more disciplined with exercise, I might actually resemble a healthy person! For all the years I ate gluten unknowingly, I never would have dreamed that I could feel this good again. Healthy food and a bit of physical activity just makes it even better.

Drink, Food

$3 Onion Soup Cheeseburger

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2012 Update:

Unfortunately, the Progresso Onion Soup is no longer gluten free. Fortunately, they do have some gluten free options available, like the Manhatten Clam Chowder, Chicken and Cheese Enchilada, and Split Pea soup flavors.

I have to say that the Split Pea is my favorite of the gluten free Progresso soups, but after six years on this diet I’m really starting to lose my taste for any kind of processed foods. Fresh just tastes better, but if you’re looking for some help in that transition there are definitely some canned soups available these days!

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Original Post:
Here’s a gluten-free variation of an old favorite of mine that I just enjoyed for dinner:

1 Can Progresso French Onion Soup ($1.50)
2 1/4 lb Great Value Hamburgers ($1.00)
3 Slices Provolone Cheese ($.75)

Simmer soup and fry burgers, allowing fat and grease to drain. Pat down burgers with paper towel and then cut into small pieces. Add burger to soup, and lay the cheese on top of the soup. A few moments in the microwave and the cheese will melt across the top, or you can just dunk the cheese to the bottom of the bowl and spoon out small pieces with each bite.