Is healthy eating in the UK basically inaccessible if you’re poor, disabled, and exhausted?
Posted by Opposite_Position125@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 472 comments
Genuine question, because I really struggle with this.
I’m on a budget and I have FND/a chronic neurological condition, so fatigue and physical limitations make food shopping and cooking quite hard for me. A lot of the usual advice is batch cooking, cooking from scratch, shopping around, going to Aldi/Lidl etc, but that’s not always realistic :(.
Because of my condition, I also have seizures, can’t always stand for long, and struggle with walking far or carrying heavy shopping, so getting to cheaper supermarkets like Aldi/Lidl isn’t straightforward for me. Realistically I’d often need to get a taxi, and even once I’m there I can find the layout difficult to manage. I mostly rely on Tesco and Sainsbury’s delivery because it’s more accessible (they bring it in and help me unload it), but it also means paying higher prices.
I also struggle with depression and anxiety, which can make planning meals, shopping and cooking even harder, especially when I’m already exhausted.
What gets me is that unhealthy food often feels much more accessible. If I’m exhausted and hungry, it’s much easier to get something cheap and filling from Greggs or a chicken shop than it is to get something healthy that’s also affordable and low-effort.
My mum came round recently and brought me some reduced M&S meals, and other some bits like cheese, tomatoes, olives and tapas-style things, and it honestly made such a difference. It felt like I was eating food that was actually tasty, filling and reasonably healthy without loads of effort, but it also made me think how out of reach that kind of food usually feels.
I live alone and have a lot of disability-related costs and housing issues lol, so even though I’m not saying I’m the worst off (not by any means) in the country, I do feel really very financially stretched. I don’t even spend much on going out or socialising, and a huge amount of money ends up going on food because I need options that are accessible and manageable and am in my early twenties!
So I’m genuinely asking - how are people actually managing to eat healthily on a budget in the UK, especially if they’re disabled, chronically ill, or dealing with low energy?
iamdadmin@reddit
My partner has FND and some other bits. I do the shopping and cooking but we are also struggling to afford anything. We mostly eat sandwiches and cereal and they’re bland and not overly balanced or healthy. But it’s what we can afford and what we can prepare. Planning meals at all is an absolute bloody nightmare when recipes want this and that and this and that.
We’ve found some success with a slow cooker. But that’s still a lot of effort to prep; generally speaking you gotta fry off the ingredients and seal any meat before adding. So not the great panacea sadly.
malmikea@reddit
Can you heat the cooker with additional fat to fry it off? I know the ninja slow cookers had a button but I’ve often wondered if the regular ones can withstand it. Asking as I’m considering getting one
iamdadmin@reddit
I've had both one of the 'metal liner' slow cookers, which you can fry/seal directly in the liner, and currently have a ceramic liner, which is oven-safe as well, but you cannot fry/seal directly. I haven't had a ninja one/know about any with that kinda button.
The metal liner ones, where you just pop it on the hob and use directly are fine though, I'd probably have gotten another metal liner one, but my other half spotted a bargain on the ceramic one and bought it on the spot. Can't complain, has slow cooker.
blanketo-@reddit
I don’t know if this would be do-able for you and your energy levels and freezer space, and my apologies if it wouldn’t! With batch cooking, instead of batch cooking a meal I do it in individual components (proteins, veg, carbs) then freeze in individual portions. For instance at the weekend I might roast a kilo of sweet potato on Saturday and marinate and cook a kilo of chicken on Sunday then freeze them in portions - I use Soupercubes for this but they are pricey so it can be done in freezer bags. That way I save money by buying things in bulk, and I’m not constantly cooking new meals. If you can get things reduced (although I appreciate this is difficult when you’re getting the shop delivered) I also tend to cook those off and freeze them in portions which helps save money. I can decide the night before or even on the day what combo of veggies, protein and maybe carb I’m having then all I need to do is defrost and microwave it to have a balanced meal. It does take some planning but not as much as I thought it would, and if this would potentially work for you I’m happy to share the list of meal components I have so far which is ever-expanding!
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
i would really be grateful if you could share the components that you have so far pls
blanketo-@reddit
Absolutely! This is obviously tailored to my preferences but would hopefully be a good starting point - I’ve put some meal ideas together using those components too! I like being able to prep when I have the motivation but not having to, so this weekend I just got a huge bag of chicken thighs and a bottle of Nando’s marinade and that’s all I did, but can make meals from the other stuff I already have.
The concept is often called Lego lunches - Sarah Hart and Not Shelbee on IG have good accounts on this.
I also really rate this tofu mac and cheese recipe - easy to throw together, low calorie and high protein for comfort food, and freezes beautifully - https://thehiddenveggies.com/tofu-mac-and-cheese/#recipe
List is as follows!
Proteins: Korean chicken Black beans ½ cup bolognese ½ cup chilli Teriyaki chicken with stir fry veg Greek chicken Fajita mince Hot honey halloumi BBQ tofu 1/2 cup curry Chickpeas Buffalo chicken Nando’s chicken Pulled bbq chicken
Carbs: White rice Furikake rice Lime rice Mashed potato Tofu mac and cheese Pitta Egg fried rice
Veg: Cooked carrots Kimchi (fridge / individual packs from Costco) Salt and pepper peppers/onion Fajita peppers/onion Roast sweet potatoes Roast cauliflower Red onion Frozen peas (comes in bags) Frozen sweetcorn (comes in bags) Frozen edamame (comes in bags) Ranch broccoli
Dips for raw veggies (all freezable): Hummus Guacamole Greek yoghurt with ranch seasoning mixed in
Meals: Boiled egg, veg sticks, dips Greek chicken, pitta, chickpeas, cauliflower, cucumber Black beans, sweet potato, fajita veg, guacamole Rice, black beans, bbq tofu, sweet potato, carrot Korean chicken, furikake rice, edamame, kimchi Spicy chickpeas, cauliflower, sweet potato, cucumber, hummus BBQ chicken, mash, corn BBQ chicken mac&cheese, cauliflower Fajita mince, fajita veg, guacamole, rice Soy marinated eggs, rice, kimchi, carrot, edamame
malmikea@reddit
Frozen rice is good for blood sugar too
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
this is genuinely genius
malmikea@reddit
Buy the freezer cubes or similar because it’s much easier to adopt without the additional barrier of having to keep replacing/locating the bags and cost per use makes sense imo as someone with a dodgy freezer
hortensemancini@reddit
I'd recommend Epicurious expeditions on Instagram; she adapts recipes to be disability friendly, ie no chopping, stirring, or standing. Often they are done in the slow cooker or microwave, and they are twists on classic nutritious meals.
Best of luck to you!
malmikea@reddit
She’s great. When you’ve watched enough videos you can start to understand how to adapt things yourself overtime for things you already make too. The techniques are so valuable
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank u!!!!
Unknown-Error-78@reddit
It might sound stupid but to reduce the time you need to stand: do all the meal prep like chopping vegetables sitting down at the dining room table. (Bonus points for doing this in batches and freezing. I hate peeling and chopping onions so I do a huge bag of them every month and freeze them, then I can just take out some onions as needed).
Same applies to cooking. See if you can sit while at the stove, you might have to get a high bar stool type chair in order see the stove properly depending on the height of your counters.
Riovem@reddit
Yes and depending on strength get a veggie cutting box not good if you aren't able to push down with some force but even just leaning on it with body weight should suffice if able
Does help to cut things like onions in half
malmikea@reddit
Those small veg choppers/mini blenders are really good if motor skills are limited. The cutting boxes can get blunt overtime so finding one which can fit replacements is a good idea too
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
will look into this thank you, I think that would help a lot, in terms of cutting vegetables. because I dont buy them because I can’t always chop them and can’t always afford to get the pre chopped if that makes sense
meowmeowru@reddit
Perching stools are made for this :) they're adjustable to the height of the counter. I don't think I'd ever survive doing mountains of dishes without one.
Unknown-Error-78@reddit
I didn’t know about these! That’s so useful
luckeratron@reddit
I don't want this to come across the wrong way but you're making a lot of excuses. Do an online shop for fruit/veg and grains and stick it in a slow cooker, or a one pot meal, the internet has lots and lots of recipes. You have everything you need to not make this an issue.
malmikea@reddit
Accessible is the key word tbh
Sutraner@reddit
No, lazy is the key word
She's just lazy.
Doing an online grocery shop isn't inaccessible, the delivery guys deliver literally to your kitchen if you ask them.
malmikea@reddit
They gave examples of things which are more accessible than grocery shopping. Even if you disagree, your judgment is off.
Online groceries slots are less accessible than going to supermarket in person if your barrier to access is to do with time and money. It’s not really laziness or making excuses if they’ve stated thier limitations
It’s a bit like how, calling strangers lazy online is an accessible hobby for you but comprehending the meaning of accessible is an inaccessible notion
Not sure why politely drawing your attention to this warranted the name calling but lashing out isn’t really productive
Is this how you’re spending time you’ve saved by using a slow cooker?
Taken_Abroad_Book@reddit
Short answer, no. It's not.
Morganx27@reddit
This is my absolute lifesaver meal for can't function but want proper food, if it helps you.
Chuck some onions and whatever veg you want in a pan (pre diced if it helps and is in budget), one tin of chickpeas, chuck some curry powder over it, then stir in some tomato purée or passata and a splash of coconut milk or yoghurt. It takes five minutes, and I love it.
Whether it works for your circumstances or not is something only you can answer. But I do sympathise heavily that healthy food seems to be either accessible or cheap, never both. If we could have healthy food that was as easy to bang in the oven as chicken nuggets or whatever, I think we'd see the nutrition of the country improve massively.
skankyfish@reddit
I do very similar. I buy fresh onions but frozen garlic and spinach.
I slice an onion, fry til soft, add garlic for a minute or two, then curry powder and turmeric for another minute. Pour in a tin of tomatoes, a tin of chickpeas or other bean (drained), and a few blobs of frozen spinach. Cook for 20 minutes or longer (longer is better) and serve over rice. A splash of coconut milk or blob of yogurt stirred through before serving can cut through and make it creamier, if you like that.
I do the rice in a rice cooker with a timer (so I can set it up ages in advance if needed), and if you can finish the curry in a slow cooker you could leave it simmering as long as needed to manage fatigue - set it up at a "good" time of day then just let it go.
Extension_Run1020@reddit
I don't know if Hello Fresh or Gousto are acceptable to you or even if you can afford them. We have them 4x a week and on those days my husband cooks from fresh. It's made a difference to me, I m healthier and have lost a small amount of weight. I have fibromyalgia and disc problems so cooking is my husband's job. We are retired. The Hello Fresh helps my husband because then he doesn't have to think what to cook for the week whilst doing the big shop. It's all done for him.
Helenarth@reddit
I've always thought it was like: cheap, healthy, easy/quick to prepare. You get to pick two.
E.g. You could batch cook some homemade vegetable soup. Cheap, healthy, but not quick.
You could buy a premade supermarket salad. Healthy, quick, but not cheap.
You could buy a Greggs sausage roll. Cheap, quick, but not healthy.
KellyMelany@reddit
It's the 'disability tax' no one talks about, isn't it? The sheer amount of mental gymnastics required to eat something that isn't beige when you're exhaustid—I mean exhausted—is a workout in itself. M&S reduced items are basically the high-point of adulting; it feels like winning the lottery but with more hummus. Honestly, don't beat yourself up for relyig—I mean relying—on what works. If a pre-chopped bag of salad or a microwave meal keeps you fueled without a seizure, that's a win. The 'scratch cooking' crowd clearly doesn't have to negotiate with their own nervous system just to boil an egg.
AskUK-ModTeam@reddit
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Aggressive_Library49@reddit
If you like beans and lentils, you can buy them canned and heat them up in a sauce and eat with some form of bread.
Eg a couple of tins of canaloni beans and a jar of Bolognese sauce into a microwave container. Blast until hot and eat with crusty bread and you have a couple of meals. If you feel you have a bit more energy, you can cook some chicken or mushrooms and stir through. Or lentils and korma sauce, you can get a varied menu with a few ingredients. Taco beans in a wrap is good too.
Another easy one is cook some chicken nuggets and stick them in a wrap with lettuce and mayo.
Hope you get some good ideas. Also check if you have a community kitchen or hub near you. They can be really helpful.
Fit_Individual1555@reddit
Idk if anybody has mentioned but have a look to see if you have an Iceland shop around, they deliver and they have amazing deals for online shopping as well.
Or Farmfoods, they sadly don’t deliver but have great deals.
I use them both and they amazing. Lots of amazing frozen options from frozen vegs to pre-made meals (lots of healthy options) as well as daily stuff too. Really good prices and great food.
I also use rice cookers, the most basic versions are the best. It’s the ones that has one bottom for warm and cooking. It’s perfect, you can add veg and chicken with rice and push the bottom. When it’s done, it let it know. My rice cooker is been going strong for 6 years and has got me through everything.
For veg and fruits have a look at local fruit stalls if you live around town area, they tend to be cheaper and in season too. When I go out I always bring a spare tote bag or anything like that in case any good & cheap vegs & fruits.
Also mix different “foods” idk how to put it in a sentence. But make instant noodles and add veg at the same time like bok Choi or anything similar and can cook them in the same pot.
As you mentioned fatigued, probably standing on your feet to cook must be EXHAUSTING. So instead of avoiding cooking, adapt to it. If you have enough space in the kitchen get a lil stool on wheels so you can move around the kitchen easier and more fun ngl. Or certain tasks you can sit down while watching a show, for example greeting cheese or peeling potatoes. If you still want to go out your food shop, get a granny trolley. I have one with teddies all over it (I was very anxious to go out with it as I’m only 23 but oh myyyy life changer)
The main priority is for you to eat. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as enjoy it and your tummy was fed. It takes time and patience to learn to cook meals and find all the cheap deals. As well as relearning that a meal is a meal as long it fuelled me.
Apologies for long reply but this is everything I have slowly added to my life and have helped me so much to eat so much more and healthier in a budget.
NeedleworkerNew2746@reddit
Some surprisingly easy, relatively healthy, reasonably inexpensive meals I make when I need to be super quick because my toddler is not in the mood to tolerate me cooking are -
smoked mackerel, mashed avocado, hard boiled eggs and rocket
A “poke bowl” of microwave rice, a tin of tuna mixed with sriracha and mayonnaise, any veg/salad you have in the fridge but frozen edamame beans and some spring onion works well
Frozen mashed potato is usually just potato and butter and maybe milk and goes great with a piece of white fish that you can fry or bake really quickly and pair it with some steamed veg like broccoli or peas. Or sausage, mash, veg and a bit of Bisto is a nice easy one too. Aldi have some nice chicken sausages that aren’t too expensive.
Tinned chickpeas, tinned tomatoes, some frozen diced onions and frozen spinach, throw in whatever curry spices you like and you have a really quick and easy veg curry that you can serve with microwave rice. Even nicer if you have some Greek yoghurt to stir in too. Serve with microwave rice. You can also buy frozen parathas that take a few minutes to heat in a dry pan that are a lovely alternative to rice. If you don’t have the energy to prepare the curry I have found some really nice sachets of pre-prepared curry pouches, I particularly like kohinoor daal makhani. That’s even better if you jazz it up with a blob of yoghurt, some chopped chillies and chopped coriander.
Tinned soups are so cheap and easy and plenty have decent ingredients- if you can spend a bit extra on better quality bread (I like Jason’s) then it’s healthier and more filling than bog standard white bread.
NeedleworkerNew2746@reddit
Oh and to add, when I was pregnant and had no energy or desire to eat fruit and veg, I just used to make a smoothie with some frozen berries, plenty of spinach (you don’t really even taste it) and a splash of orange juice to loosen it up and it felt like a nice nourishing hit of vitamins. Can add some minced ginger too if you like it.
Also bananas are pretty cheap and filling, that with a glass of kefir and a handful of walnuts are a fairly regular breakfast for me that feels filling and nourishing.
Anxious-Potato-7323@reddit
I know this opinion might go down well but with the right prompt, Gemini will give you exactly what you want, it will meal.plan the whole week and export the shopping list to your 'notes' on your phone.
Mon: Overnight Oats with yoghurt. Hummus & spinach wrap. One-Pot Red Lentil Dahl (make extra)
Tue: Scrambled eggs on toast. Leftover Lentil Dahl. Sheet Pan Sausage & Veg Bake.
Wed:Overnight Oats with yoghurt Tuna & white bean salad. Lentil & Spinach Pasta (use leftover lentils)
Thu: Scrambled eggs with spinach. Leftover Pasta. Baked Potato with beans & cheese.
Fri: Overnight Oats with yoghurt. Hummus & veg sticks. One-Pot Cheesy Oat "Risotto" with frozen peas.
Sat: Eggs on toast Leftover Oat Risotto. Big Batch Chilli (tinned beans & frozen veg)
Sun "Fridge Raid" Omelette. Leftover Chilli Quick Fish/Tofu & Frozen veg
Shopping list: • Oats (large bag) • Greek yoghurt (large tub) • Eggs (dozen) • Bread (wholemeal or seeded) • Tinned red lentils • Tinned white beans or chickpeas • Tinned kidney beans or black beans (for chilli) • Tinned tuna (optional) • Tinned coconut milk or vegetable bouillon • Pasta (500g bag) • Rice or Tortilla wraps • Hummus • Cheddar cheese • Potatoes (baking or baby potatoes) • Frozen mixed vegetables • Frozen peas • Fresh or frozen spinach (large bag) • Sausages (meat or vegetarian) • Curry powder or paste • Chilli powder or seasoning mix
Obviously that can be adjusted to your tastes but it's a pretty healthy meal plan with minimal prep time.
Alternatively, there's a meal plan app call "Cheeky pick" which will help with recipes etc and it links directly to Sainsbury's or Tesco to select your shopping list and you can then just select it to be delivered.
BrummbarKT@reddit
I mean end of the day if you aren't able to cook yourself, the remaining option is ready meals and with those of course the healthier ones will tend to be more expensive, the cheap ones are usually cheap for a reason because they can get away with cheaper and diluted ingredients, making them ultra processed and unhealthy.
Imaginary_Bird538@reddit
It’s not impossible if you’re on a budget, but being disabled and exhausted is definitely more of a barrier. Healthy food can be bought really cheaply in the UK and delivered to your door, but the cheap stuff usually requires time, effort and skill to prepare.
I would say though, that food doesn’t have to follow a recipe to be healthy. Plonk a piece of chicken or fish on a baking tray, tip some frozen Mediterranean veg around it, bake for half an hour and you have a very healthy meal.
Microwave whole grain rice is a staple in my house and is about 80p for two portions. More expensive than buying dried rice of course, but much less effort and still pretty cheap. Likewise for tinned beans, frozen chopped veg/onions/herbs.
Also recommend having healthy stuff around that can just be grabbed and eaten when needed. Boil a dozen eggs when you have the energy and then keep in the fridge. Greek yoghurt. Fresh fruit. Nuts. Cheese and crackers. Carrot sticks and hummus.
Fattydog@reddit
Overnight oats are incredibly cheap snd easy.
Put oats, milk, natural yoghurt, frozen fruit and a squirt of honey into a tupperware container and pop it in the fridge.
You can easily make 3-4 days worth of breakfasts at a time. It honestly takes less than a minute.
notouttolunch@reddit
I find it's vile but it is very quick. Haha.
sc00022@reddit
You’ve got to use milk not water. Also add things with strong flavours - honey, cinnamon, protein powder etc
notouttolunch@reddit
No, I just don't like them. I eat them and normal porridge for it's nutritional value and price, but I don't like it at all haha.
Lopsided_Snower@reddit
Plus a lot of people cannot eat oats / milk
sc00022@reddit
Fair enough ha
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
will try this!
Norklander@reddit
I second overnight oats delicious and so easy
Even_Passenger_3685@reddit
I’ve found the frozen ready meals from Cook to be surprisingly good. They’re not cheap, but they are made from actual food and taste as good as, if not better than home made. Their fish pie is legendary. I’ll have a meal with a handful of frozen veg cooked in the microwave, or some microwave rice. You can get them delivered or from Co-op.
In terms of cost I think it works out reasonable given the quality, and that I feel well after eating them rather than grim as I do after junk food. Cheaper than supermarket’s own “best of” ranges, M&S or (yuck) Charlie Bingham and nicer.
Or frozen jacket potatoes are a lifesaver - they come ready baked, you just microwave them for 5 mins, add in eg cheese and beans and it’s a decent meal. I even buy ready grated cheese now as
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! I will check that brand as I haven’t heard of them, thank you for introducing me to them!
TheSeekerPorpentina@reddit
Even non-frozen jacket potatoes aren't that much more effort. Microwave one for around four minutes, turn it round, and four minutes again.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank u sounds really good, and didn’t realise you could make so much in one go!
Physical-Exit-2899@reddit
Honestly might just have to be a repetitive diet. Cook something once in bulk and eat it for like 5 or 6 days, its not very exciting but ehhh
chocklityclair@reddit
Or get a freezer?
Physical-Exit-2899@reddit
That helps but if you freeze stuff and get bored of it and have to cook again I'm not sure that helps with the disability and money stuff
chocklityclair@reddit
So you batch cook, eat a portion or maybe two, freeze the rest and have them at a later date.
Physical-Exit-2899@reddit
Well, my pedantic friend, my solution for this specific situation was to cook a meal that will last a week but if OP wants to/is physically able to then they can put some in the freezer
chocklityclair@reddit
Lol, I'm sorry that you see alternative perspectives as 'pedantic.' Batch cooking is much more effective if you freeze a few portions each time, as you will then reach (and maintain) a point where you have a variety of meals in the freezer. Eating the sane meal six days in a row is not a benefit of batch cooking! 😊
msully89@reddit
I bought a rice cooker for £15 from B&M and it's incredibly simple to use and clean, and gives me perfect fluffy rice every time. It quickly paid for itself as opposed to buying microwave rice.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank u!!!
skankyfish@reddit
I was also going to suggest a rice cooker. Do a bit of research and get one that has a timer, lets you do other things and comes with a steamer basket. We spent £100 on a slightly fancy one but I'm sure cheaper ones will do this too.
It can work as a small slow cooker, you can do porridge overnight using the timer function (so you just wake up and add fruit), and you can steam vegetables and / or a piece of fish over your rice for an easy meal. I think if you can invest in a rice cooker and an air fryer it'll give you access to some easy meals.
Glass-Way@reddit
Agree with this, except microwave rice is unnecessary as using a rice cooker is very easy, as someone else said
saludpesetasamor@reddit
This has always been my go-to when I’m shattered and hungry and in too much pain to stand and mess about with chopping things. Chuck a piece of fish or chicken into a tray with some canned ratatouille or mixed veg, add some herbs and tubed garlic, and bugger off until it’s cooked - oven or air fry. It’s hardly cordon bleu but it’s healthy and filling and gets me fed with minimal effort or washing up. I’m a huge fan of one-pot meals as well for the same reason. I got a great one-pot cookbook and all the meals are so tasty.
For some reason onions are my biggest mental block when I’m exhausted, so when I’m having a ‘good’ day I’ll dice a few a throw them into a freezer bag. They freeze really well and then they’re always on hand. Anything to make my life easier and they’re easy nutrition to add to things too.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
sounds great thank you. I think I can get quite stuck so thank you for letting me know your options. definitely fish and mixed veg in the oven is achievable
ohnobobbins@reddit
I struggled with this before. Knackered, immune disease and long hours at work, and a not exactly huge budget.
I have found baked potatoes, baked fish, pesto pasta, roast chicken, and the odd yellow sticker M&S ready meal make life easier. Most can just be bunged in the oven or air fried.
It really helped me to write a plan on Sunday before I went shopping & make it realistic. Most food from Aldi or Lidl, budget of about £50-70 per week. Sample menu below, if it helps:
Sunday - roast chicken with baked potatoes
Monday - pesto pasta
Tuesday - leftover roast reheated in air fryer
Wednesday - baked salmon with veg (all from freezer)
Thursday - leftover chicken with salad
Friday - Aldi ready meal - fish pie or similar & broccoli
Saturday - M&S yellow sticker meal & some treats
Breakfast/lunch is porridge with blueberries and honey
I talked to the doctor about it (other health stuff going on) and they thought it was perfectly healthy. Most of it is home cooked & every meal has veg/salad and or fruit involved.
NeedleworkerNew2746@reddit
You can buy pre diced frozen onions at quite a lot of supermarkets and I’d say they’re basically the price of whole fresh ones for the same amount! Hope that helps
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
Half an hour for a chicken breast is criminal. 20 mins
Luna-Lux-@reddit
Just to add to this as I suffer severe fatigue and can fall asleep, the above can all be cooked in the air fryer and microwave which means they're on a timer and no danger of burning said food if you nod off. I came to comment everything else this person said. I eat a lot of wraps as well, usually a handful of lettuce (i buy pre cut and bagged), hummus and falafel. Uncle Ben's also have decent microwave pouches of stuff like chilli, lentil stew, etc. Ingredients list is really good for what it is.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
I think I’ve definitely neglected wraps. thank you so much appreciated this, and cold food is defintely achievable
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you, lots of people have mentioned Greek yogurt and seems super achievable to just spoon that in lol. chicken and frozen veg is deffo achievable as well. thank you so much for taking the time
GlumAd9856@reddit
Healthy eating is mainly about portion control. Obviously if you're eating things with high salt/sugar/processed ingredients that's not great. But you're still going to be healthier than the person who is 3 stone overweight from eating 'clean' foods.
The best diet the British people ever had was during rationing and the second world war.
If you're not able to spend 15 minutes adding some basic ingredients together and putting them in a pan or air fryer then that's far more than just being 'exhausted' - it means you have a serious disability that needs support.
gridlockmain1@reddit
I’m not sure this is necessarily true to be honest. Like I’m not by any means one of these people who would argue that you can be morbidly obese and still “healthy” and clearly having body fat within t he healthy range is generally better. But somebody who is 3st heavier because they eat too much avocado, walnuts and olive oil and also eats plenty of fruit and veg and lean protein has a reasonable chance of being in better overall health (including stuff like gut health, cancer risk, immune system) than somebody who subsists on small portions of processed meat, cheese, bread and chips. I don’t think absolutes in either direction make a lot of sense.
Think-Common7681@reddit
Cheese is very good for you lol. Get out of the 60-80s Jewish CEO junk science era.
gridlockmain1@reddit
The what era? 👀
It has nutritional benefits but also contains lots of saturated fat and salt. In any case my point wasn’t so much to demonise cheese specifically as to present a typical diet of somebody who doesn’t eat enough fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Boboshady@reddit
No, because you don't have to spend a lot of time cooking, and you don't need to buy ready made meals - just eat raw fruits and vegetables for starters. Get a cheap slow cooker and a food processor and you're eating all kinds of soups, stews etc.
The good thing about these kinds of meals is they're less than 10 minutes of light prep and you get several meals out of it.
Make stuff in batches and even if you just stick it in the fridge, one cook will give you a couple of days of food. In the freezer you could sort yourself a month's worth of food in just a few cooks. The only thing to deal with is repetition.
If you want to buy ready made, healthy meals...then yes, you're going to be spending some cash.
SoggyWotsits@reddit
You can make cheap and easy recipes without too much effort. I’d say cheaper than takeaway fried chicken too! £4.59 gets you 600g of boneless, skinless chicken thighs from Aldi, or £5.69 for 900g, which is usually about 8 of them. Put one or two in a dish, surround with some rice, add a stock cube and water, and some vegetables and bake in the oven until cooked. Simple, but very cheap and very tasty. Skin on chicken thighs are cheaper again, but it depends what you prefer.
Jacket potatoes are another option with very little prep. The choice of filling is up to you, but it could be as simple as pre grated cheese.
Think-Common7681@reddit
Looks great, never heard of that method either.
MrsValentine@reddit
Not at all, although I do think that marketing means that the types of foods and supermarkets that have that healthy vibe are often the expensive ones. Obviously tapas and mezze is nice to eat but you don’t need to be eating feta stuffed pickled peppers & olive sourdough from M&S to eat healthy.
Most people know how to eat healthy/ know which foods are healthy. I think the other factor is portion control and a bit of advance planning which you can do on your phone from your bed or sofa. If you have something like a two week rotation, you’ll have everything planned out but you won’t be eating the same thing every week.
You could also look into small and relatively inexpensive appliances that might make your life easier like press choppers, a slow cooker, an egg boiler, a tabletop dishwasher if you don’t have a proper one.
Some ideas which aren’t expensive and are healthy:
Porridge with raisins or banana
Brown toast with peanut butter and banana
Half a carton of fresh soup and a sandwich
Cheese and tomato on toast
Microwave jacket potato with baked beans and cheese
Cold cuts (could be ham from a packet or maybe rotisserie chicken) with iceberg lettuce or coleslaw and frozen or air fryer roast potatoes
Fried eggs with oven chips and a half a tin of baked beans or peas
Pasta or a baked polenta block topped with a healthy jarred pasta sauce, you could also add a frozen chopped vegetable medley into this they do for example soffrito and med veg which would both work
Any slow cooker meals using seasoning sachets which will give you an easy recipe on the back for example sausage casserole, chicken curry, beef stew etc
Tins of fruit (peaches and fruit salad tend to be cheapest) or microwave baked pears or apples with a bit of yoghurt for dessert
Think-Common7681@reddit
Pasta is not healthy.
RG0195@reddit
As a single person it costs me £50 a week to eat healthy foods from M&S and that includes some expensive healthy snacks. I think it's a cop out excuse honestly, if you know how to eat healthy it's not expsensive. I've also found the more unhealthy items are more expensive anyway.
Think-Common7681@reddit
People will say healthy is expensive . Whilst buying premade pizzas that now cost 5-6£ each and have nearly 0 nutrition in them, maybe 20 grams of meat topping. For that price I can buy 750grams of mince from the butchers..
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SmugglersParadise@reddit
Because you can't stand for long periods, I can recommend what I'm making at the minute
Mushroom and pepper fajitas.
I made it tonight with frozen mushrooms and peppers, so literally just throwing those into the pan, high heat to cook off the water. Then once dry, add the sauce of your choosing. I put a bit of bandos sauce on tonight.
I also add scrambled eggs to mine, but obviously optional if that's not feasible for you. Could also add some pre cooked supermarket chicken, shrimp etc. but that would push the price up.
It's doable, but not easy. I'd certainly say frozen veg is your best friend, as it's pre chopped/sliced and you just have to cook, combine and serve
Think-Common7681@reddit
An entire bag of frozen vegetables would be like 150-200 calories..
Think-Common7681@reddit
I mean.. you'd be either dead or much worse off nearly anywhere else. It's hard to have such a long list of problems I'm sure.
But you have Tesco drivers unpacking your shopping for you. You seem to think Tesco is expensive and Lidl is not? Take a look at the quality of what you are eating. Most of the meat in Lidl is disgusting. Almost all the products are fake knockoffs with either extra sugar or seed oil.
If you can't roast vegetables and meat for yourself, the issue isn't the country you live In. Get help.
Any_Set_8916@reddit
In my opinion yes.
I really struggle, and I’m working with my therapist on my relationship with food. I get PIP for some medical conditions and the main reason I pushed myself to apply / appeal the rejection was for help with my eating. I get meals from field doctor and it is the biggest weight off my shoulder just being able to take 1 meal off my schedule once a day. Life costs are rediculous so now I can only really afford 4 meals out of my week from them but, on my worst days I that plus disposable plates / bowls have actually saved me.
I had a bit of a breakdown last month as I was on my 3rd chest infection of the year and I just wasn’t coping mentally with having to care for myself on my own. I went back to cheap & easy food, basically just toast and that just made me even worse as soon I was better I did a shop & F.D order and then had a 4th infection about 3 weeks later but stuck as close as possible to my healthy eating and did better mentally, but honestly disposable plates, bowls and cutlery saved me last month meaning it was one less thing to deal with. I could manage the small cooking and washing up as didn’t have to do the dishes after.
I’m pushing 30 and my conditions have got so much worse the past 9+ months, and the rising costs just mean I don’t leave the house with I feel like makes things worse.
If you can’t afford meal prep delivery I’d definitely look at seeing if on your “good” days you can batch cook some meals and freeze them.
Freezer is my best friend. X
starsandshards@reddit
Thank you for the recommendation, I think I'm going to give FD a try next payday!
Any_Set_8916@reddit
Do it! Make sure you get your intro offer, and then I have got discount everytime by googling for codes. I think you get like 10/15% off your fist two orders but every order since I’ve managed to get at least 15% off still I think.
Good luck! X
starsandshards@reddit
Thank you again for the tip! I signed up for my 20% discount and the food looks actually yummy.
Any_Set_8916@reddit
Yay! Good luck, it’s been so helpful for me. I get the GF, so haven’t tried as many, I tend to add extra seasoning as it’s a little flat for me but I love: Teriyaki salmon Potato topped Chicken pie FISH PIE!!!! My fave Cottage pie Chicken in white wine
Just be careful cooking the pasta in the microwave, do it at intervals and on a lower heat so it doesn’t go super watery. My pad Thai was swimming once lol
starsandshards@reddit
Again thank you for the tips, you're a gem. I've been suggested pretty much everything except fish, I wish I liked fish but I just can't. I'm going for high protein, low carb, gut health, menopause health (I must be nearly there now surely), brain health etc. I've fallen into a rut of spending so much on takeaways because of my poor health and energy which is a vicious cycle. I know. I feel shit because I eat shit and I eat shit because I feel shit. Hoping this gives me a boost out of the abyss!!
Any_Set_8916@reddit
Eating the right thing definitely helps! I feel so much better now I’ve got a staple breakfast, one of my friends has been helping me, and I need to save and get some pots to make overnight oats. Except I hate oats so I’m doing the weetabix thing. And breakfast wraps. Gona make a couple of breakfast wraps and freeze them.
Wrap, scrambled eggs, spinach, turkey sausage and a bit of ketchup. Perfect for on the go or a lazy morning.
My inbox is always open if you need tips or just someone to natter with on the struggle days
starsandshards@reddit
I got loads of pots to do overnight oats and still don't, but I'm gonna force myself to. Good idea on the wraps!
Likewise by the way, I'm a newly recovered binge eater (went through therapy etc) so if you need someone to chat to, please hit me up!
Phoenyx_wilson@reddit
Love disposable plates and bowls also sounds wierd but uta so much easier to wash a plastic kids cup than a glass drinking glass I find
Horror_Reader1973@reddit
Microwave macaroni cheese and microwave vegetables is my go to when I can’t cope.
bobisagirl@reddit
Asda delivery is, imo, significantly cheaper than Sainsbury's. You can absolutely get some reasonably priced fresh veg and dippy things that are easy enough to be manageable but fairly healthy. They may not be waitrose quality but they will do the job.
Eating healthily is effort, no doubt, but a bit of planning, or cooking a batch when you have the energy, can really help.
Eyfura@reddit
I make a quick side with frozen spinach blocks and mash (frozen or packet). Whack it in the microwave, add seasoning stir it up together and you have a lovely side dish.
Iceland has more frozen healthy things than you might think and they deliver! Things like cooked chicken and other protein, frozen vegetables (which often have more nutrients than fresh). Microwave veg with a bit of butter and seasoning, chicken in the air fryer.. lovely supper. Frozen things also don't go bad on those low spoon days when even that's hard.
Probably mentioned here but worth saying again start with a pot noodle and add the above- veg and protein and even a boiled egg if you're feeling super fancy that day.. proper ramen is a nutritious meal. My fav is cooked frozen shrimp and mixed veg added to a spicy shrimp noodle pot. Feels lux, gets my veg in, and is reasonable (watch sodium with this one though it's not for everyday).
OkTechnician4610@reddit
Look at frozen veg & fruit it’s way cheaper. On deliveries look for the cheaper delivery slots. Most super markets do cheaper own brands stick to them
British-Bot@reddit
No. It's called being lazy.
FatDon222@reddit
Use an air fryer and get a kilo of skin on chicken thighs from Aldi for £3. 15 mins skin side down with chicken seasoning , flip and then season the skin side. Cook for further 10 mins then add the Aldi chicken marinade , cook for a further 10 minutes. High in protein and a whole food, I eat this everyday and it so easy to cook and delicious
Glass_Minute4753@reddit
Financially it is very much within reach. Veggies, pulses etc are all cheap enough and easily available from places like Tesco and Sainsbury's. But what I can't give you is a zero effort option. All cooking requires some effort, and only you will know what you're capable of.
You could do a tray of roast veggies and a simple dhal with fairly little effort, and it would only take 30-35 minutes. Omelette with a side salad would be even quicker and easier. Ditto baked potato with tuna and sweetcorn or salad.
h00dman@reddit
It's harder, certainly. The trouble with healthy food isn't necessarily the cost, but the accessibility and the narrow windows in which you can use it.
It's fine to say that a bag of carrots can be bought for £1, but if you're having to buy them 15 minutes before closing time on a weekday night because those were the hours available in the only job you could get, what you'll need left with will inevitably be the bruised, battered leftovers nobody else wanted, and are already going soft.
Add in disability as well and I can't imagine how hard that must be.
Sutraner@reddit
It's fine to say that a bag of carrots can be bought for £1, but if you're having to buy them 15 minutes before closing time on a weekday night because those were the hours available in the only job you could get, what you'll need left with will inevitably be the bruised, battered leftovers nobody else wanted, and are already going soft.
Add in disability as well and I can't imagine how hard that must be.
Edit
And with respect to anyone who replies to these questions with "When I was a student...", when you're a student you have loads of free time.
This is just idiotic
Carrots are like 70p all day every day, they're like 5p cheap sometimes but they're still cheap as well carrots.
You don't need to buy reduced food for it to be cheap
h00dman@reddit
It's not though, is it.
But by all means resort to insults to make up for the inadequacies in your personal life 😉
Full_Change_3890@reddit
FND is a disability in the same way as anxiety and depression is. You actually need to put in the work to improve your symptoms - yes, its easy said and hard done but putting up barriers and making excuses is making things worse not better.
Healthy diet, exercise, CBT, getting a job or doing volunteer work, building a routine and social structure is what you need to improve your conditions not the sympathy and pandering that you seem to be looking for. Seeking validation from social media is doing you more damage than good.
Get out and make a change for yourself - nobody else is going to do it for you, and you are going to waste your whole life if you don't make an effort to do it now. This is not a judgement thing by the way, I've dealt with anxiety and depression and its hard getting out the cycle, but you have to do it yourself and put in the effort. Things can improve if you genuinely want them to.
Kindly_Reference_267@reddit
I’m so sorry you’re struggling. Would your mum be able to go shopping with you maybe?
I use farm foods a lot for frozen veggies and bulk chicken. It has a bad rap but honestly the veg is great and super cheap, and the chicken is really nice too. Nicer than the frozen Asda chicken.
My go to “lazy dinner” is literally frozen chicken thigh in the oven (takes an hr) and halfway through chuck their frozen med veg mix over the top of it and bung it back in the oven. Nice on its own or with a flat bread or some pasta.
I also love a slow cooker meal. Easy and yummy is stewing beef (chunks ready chopped and frozen from farm foods for me but you can use fresh if you prefer), soy sauce, garlic (again, can buy it frozen and pre crushed), bit of brown sugar (or white sugar it doesn’t matter lol) and topped up with just a little bit of beef stock. Whack it on high all day. Then about 30mins before you wanna eat it chuck in the frozen stir fry veg and some dried noodles (like the maggie noodles are fine, just ignore the seasoning packs) or some rice. They’ll suck up all the water. That does like four or five meals.
I hope things get easier for you soon. I have found pre chopped and frozen veg to be the best budget friendly thing I’ve changed to. You can get them from Asda, Tesco, etc etc too. ❤️
jamesycakes231@reddit
Dandelion and stinging nettle are packed full of nutrients, more than kale, and they're just sitting around everywhere. I know they won't fill you up but they can provide vitamins and you can make some great recipes with them.
Things_Poster@reddit
Pasta is incredibly cheap. So are rice and potatoes. You can find something to cook with those things that's tasty and affordable, but it's going to take a small amount of effort to learn, and the question is whether you're willing to do that.
Own_Average7810@reddit
Not impossible but very tricky.
Sutraner@reddit
It's not tricky at all, it's easier today than ever before in human history to eat well and healthy.
People are just lazy fat fucks, including me half the time tbh
Sutraner@reddit
I’m on a budget and I have FND/a chronic neurological condition, so fatigue and physical limitations make food shopping and cooking quite hard for me. A lot of the usual advice is batch cooking, cooking from scratch, shopping around, going to Aldi/Lidl etc, but that’s not always realistic :(.
Because of my condition, I also have seizures, can’t always stand for long, and struggle with walking far or carrying heavy shopping, so getting to cheaper supermarkets like Aldi/Lidl isn’t straightforward for me. Realistically I’d often need to get a taxi, and even once I’m there I can find the layout difficult to manage. I mostly rely on Tesco and Sainsbury’s delivery because it’s more accessible (they bring it in and help me unload it), but it also means paying higher prices.
I also struggle with depression and anxiety, which can make planning meals, shopping and cooking even harder, especially when I’m already exhausted.
What gets me is that unhealthy food often feels much more accessible. If I’m exhausted and hungry, it’s much easier to get something cheap and filling from Greggs or a chicken shop than it is to get something healthy that’s also affordable and low-effort.
My mum came round recently and brought me some reduced M&S meals, and other some bits like cheese, tomatoes, olives and tapas-style things, and it honestly made such a difference. It felt like I was eating food that was actually tasty, filling and reasonably healthy without loads of effort, but it also made me think how out of reach that kind of food usually feels.
I live alone and have a lot of disability-related costs and housing issues lol, so even though I’m not saying I’m the worst off (not by any means) in the country, I do feel really very financially stretched. I don’t even spend much on going out or socialising, and a huge amount of money ends up going on food because I need options that are accessible and manageable and am in my early twenties!
So I’m genuinely asking - how are people actually managing to eat healthily on a budget in the UK, especially if they’re disabled, chronically ill, or dealing with low energy?
No you're not, you're bitching and venting
There's thousands of recipes for a quick and easy meals on budgets, there's more food delivery companies for groceries than ever before and batch cooking is a piece of piss. There's guides, tutorials and so on on Reddit, YouTube wherever for food prep and budget cooking
You're just lazy and are trying to blame it on the entire world instead of yourself.
Just get in the fucking kitchen and cook something, it's really not very difficult.
If you can go to Gregg's or a chicken shop you can go to a supermarket. It's cheaper, healthier and more filling. You just don't want to because that tiny dopamine hit of fast food is what you actually want.
Teaboy1@reddit
You want a slow cooker and a recipe book. Chuck it all in and go and sit down for 4 hours. Makes it easy to cook and you can use cheap healthy ingredients. You can freeze the left overs.
Front_Scholar9757@reddit
Or tray bakes. Get frozen veggies, chuck in some halloumi/ meat, chickpeas & spices. In the oven & done.
Stir fry also quick.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
this sounds so yummy and super achievable. I really like haloumi and chickpeas are also very good value. so appreciate you taking the time to comment
Front_Scholar9757@reddit
I did one last night:
Chickpeas Halloumi Courgette Broccoli Tomatoes Carrot Peppers Garam masala (1 teaspoon) Smoked paprika (2 teaspoon) Olive oil
Baked for 30 mins Drizzled lemon juice before serving.
Was delicious
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you so much, will look into this. and I appreciate you taking the time to comment
Teaboy1@reddit
Thats ok. Life's hard sometimes I find slow cookers make it easier.
Caryria@reddit
This. And if you’re having a good day you can meal prep chuck in bags. Basically everything you need to go in a slow cooker prepped and ready to go in handy freezer bags. Defrost overnight and pop it on in the morning. Cheap cuts of meat often work better with a slow cook as well.
Bags of pulses are often really cheap, lentils, beans etc. They just need a small amount of prep like soaking overnight. Look at “good to go” as well. Many restaurants use it and some supermarkets. While aldi and Lidl can be a little harder to navigate when they have veg that close to it’s best before they’ll just give it away for free. I picked up a swede today which I’m going to chop up and freeze in portions so I can just add it to tea.
Teaboy1@reddit
Just buy tinned lentils. They're presoaked and its another thing you don't have to remember. Maybe im just lazy!
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
will look into tinned lentils thank you
Caryria@reddit
Oh I use them. But I also have dried lentils for some occasions. The dried ones are by far cheaper
Indecisive_C@reddit
There's a few videos I've seen on facebook/instagram with a woman that does recipes that are accessible for people that are disabled and they all seem fairly healthy. I can't remember what she's called but I'll go have a look and see if I can find it.
anti-sugar_dependant@reddit
Epicurious?
Indecisive_C@reddit
Omg yes that was it!! I was looking on facebook for ages and couldn't find it, but I think it must have been instagram i saw her on
anti-sugar_dependant@reddit
She's on YouTube too :)
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you both smmm
ancientspacewitch@reddit
Yes OP this is excellent advice. I also struggle with fatigue and slow cooking is incredible for me. It's super easy to make tasty and nutritious meals with very minimal effort. Buy the cheapest cuts of meat you can find, pack it with veg, throw in home brand tins of beans or other legumes and chopped tomatoes and you have yourself a great stew that will keep you going for days. You could easily get one dirty cheap on Facebook marketplace.
I would also suggest buying some protein powder if you can and blending it up into shakes. Protein is super important for energy. You can even bulk it out with oats for extra satiety.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you thank you thank you, will look into protein powder
Stypig@reddit
And frozen chopped veg.
When I'm in a pain flare, it is the only thing that keeps me eating a vaguely balanced diet. Handful of frozen chopped onion, pepper, mushroom, peas, some Quorn mince. 1/4 packet of chilli-spag bol-curry spice mix. Tin of chopped tomatoes (or passata if you're feeling fancy).
Slow cooker on low for 4 hours. Make in the morning and use with a timer delay so it is ready for dinner time without me needing to remember to put it on at the right time.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you for the slow cooker recipe x
pearsareforbidden@reddit
Do you put your Quorn mince in at the start? Does it not disintegrate? I've been doing it separately as I didn't want to risk it becoming slop but if you find it works putting it in at the start that would be so much better!
notouttolunch@reddit
I've never found it to. I'm not a veggie but I sometimes use it for variety.
knotatwist@reddit
Yeah this was what I was gonna suggest.
Slow cooker and frozen veg etc (you can get diced onions, peppers, pre cut herbs frozen nowadays!). Make several servings at once and freeze them after so you can microwave later.
Buy pre made sauces in jars if recipes are too much. It'll still work out cheaper than ready meals and you can add as much veg as you want.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you!
doctorace@reddit
I love our slow cooker, but I don’t know that it’s less work that’s cooking another method, it’s just earlier in the day.
paulmclaughlin@reddit
But that will ruin the book
SparklyRainbowAngel@reddit
😂😂😂
Teaboy1@reddit
Good way to get your fibre though...
YetAnotherMia@reddit
This is a great idea or if you want a quicker meal get a rice cooker and make one pot rice cooker meals. You can add rice, minced pork, frozen mixed veg and a spice mix and something pretty tasty will come out. Look up actual recipes though. It's a popular option with lazy East Asians.
ExcellentJob6268@reddit
Can do it in a rice cooker for 20-30 minutes if you want something quicker.
EmMeo@reddit
Rice cooker, put rice, a chicken leg (raw) some frozen veg, bit of seasoning… and you get a full meal easy peasy. Loads of variations actually.
You can also make cake in a rice cooker
VeeMon21@reddit
I second a rice cooker. I never realised how versatile it was
lovinglifeatmyage@reddit
I second this.
I wouldn’t be without my slow cooker
NorseRider420@reddit
Get a double air fryer, put a protein portion in one side (eg chicken breast) and buy pre chopped fresh veggies to roast in the other side. Or microwave the veggies.
Use precooked rice bags in the microwave
Boil 6 or 12 eggs at a time
But prepped salad bags and those small tins of tuna and mix. Also mixed beans in a tin, rinse and chuck in the salad
MesoamericanMorrigan@reddit
I have the same problems plus Ehlers Danlos yndrome which comes with a laundry lot of other issues such as chronic dislocations, craniocervical instability, PoTS/autonomic dysfunction, asthma, hernias, a mast cell disorder making me allergic to everything and causing random histamine dumps keeping me awake all night, GI/motility disorders, bladder issues , ocular issues, dental issues etc and plus autism and ADHD which makes executive function hard
I don’t have any contact with my family whatsoever and even when I did they’d never just pop round with MandS meals!!! I have a ‘carer’ but they only really do a bit of washing up on the weekend when they visit. I’m completely on my own all week and can’t even manage washing myself more than once.
Many days I just don’t have meals at all even if food is available because I don’t want to have to cook or clean up after I might pick at a bit of cheese or salami but often don’t have the motivation or literally can’t make food because I dislocated something
I also rely on convenience foods, home delivery and disability benefits
I do try to stock thinks like microwave rice (£1) and top with smoked fish (doesn’t need cooking and lasts a long time). Mashed potato, instant soups etc
South-Visual3803@reddit
I currently have mild anorexia for various reasons.
It’s cheaper than the historical ortherexia and bulimia. I’m unemployed and on benefits but I’m making it work as someone who hates cooking tbh, I also decentred taste - I genuinely don’t care so long as it’s got an acceptable texture and ideally fruit/ veg. Even as a kid I would eat frozen peas.
I’ve had to reduce dairy because the IBS and gastroparesis is a vile situation I’m juggling. I sometimes have a four hour window to try and eat in so I don’t literally shit myself or vomit. It’s great fun 😁 (sarcasm)
I eat sourdough; , potatoes, bowls of frozen veg just literally microwave and add salt Oats But milk Soya milk Apples, bananas, grapes Frozen fruit - bulk order
Eating cheap is harder because everything has gone up.
But you can literally stab a sweet potato and shove it in the microwave or oven and eat that for like 25p.
I wonder if I just had to decentre enjoyment to get past bulimia; I almost got into debt because of the cost of binge/ purge cycles. Was a chronic addiction.
So maybe just change what food is? It’s fuel, it’s cheaper than many medications and many healthy foods are in expensive.
It’s recipes that = time, effort, money.
Also I use Sainsbury’s, Lidl’s and Aldi veg doesn’t last anyway!
I am suicidal for 10 days out of the month like I am bedbound, agrophobic, but I kinda had to problem solve because over Christmas I was trapped inside and I had no food, i literally went days without and it sort of traumatised me a bit. To be unintentionally unable to eat was a strange experience and it’s messed with my head a bit.
Unhealthy food isn’t accessible to me because of all the chemicals, unknown things in it, processed food makes me feel kinda weird, and I don’t know who’s made it, the smell, the look, the wet, like you can’t go wrong with a potato!
Yea I also shop in M&S as a treat! I’m veggie/ mostly vegan anyway but I just get weird about’wet food’ sometimes.
Today I mostly ate breadsticks & hummus. And then roasted veg that made me violently ill. Can’t win!
Food and Imodium and gaviscon are my main costs, I’ve decided to not drive for a bit to save money so I walk everywhere, my parents helped with bills because I needed the heating on - I was really just not able to get warm and it’s not ideal because I can’t loose weight/ it’s counterproductive.
I cut my own hair, my clothes don’t fit but I wear a belt and added buttons/ took some things in. I don’t go out/ I’ve sold some clothes that were worth more than a fiver, I dilute my cleaning products a bit to stretch them/ makes me less allergic, idk I just stretch my money and I imagine what my Nan would have done and love frugal whilst I sort my like out a bit!
My dads from the north and tbh I was raised with a ‘tight’ mindset, I use things until they break, try and means things, I don’t ever have food waste aside the apple stalks.
Food is a luxury and I enjoy it when I go to a family gathering and get to try new things, I really appreciate it.
I’ve been fat, thin, fit, bodybuilding, poor, less poor, like I’ve had many things happen in life. And I don’t think food has to be expensive, it’s just whatever you get used to.
I would feed Greg’s to someone I wanted dead. Not someone I love, and especially not my dog, that’s how I see it.
I feel like veggies and sourdough and (yea cheese is expensive) but nice cheese on crusty bread with tomatoes is more cost effective and sustainable 😊
I know I have many disorders but elements of my ‘approach’ might help you in reaching your own version of healthy that works for you and your disabilities.
TheFirstMinister@reddit
Instant Pot.
Instant Pot recipe book.
Legumes, beans, rice, lentils, veggies, cheap cuts of meat, etc.
100+ dishes right there.
It's amazing how cheaply - and nutritiously - one can shop and cook.
Picklepicklezz@reddit
Also go to citizens advice and check you are getting any benefits you are entitled to eg PIP
ikiteimasu@reddit
No, it’s not. Often the healthiest food in the store is the cheapest. The problem is the time cost, that’s the actual barrier. The time needed to prepare healthy ingredients into good meals. Sometimes a snack of carrot and hummus isn’t enough.
A slow cooker or crock pot would help you make a warm meal. But there’s a lot to be said for a salad bag, some chopped pepper, bit of feta and a dressing. Throw on some pumpkin seeds and there you go. The ready made soups in the fridge section are healthy enough. Add a bit of bread for carbs if you need something more filling. Stores also often sell cooked chicken if you need an easy protein hit.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
this sounds goof especially what I can add to a salad Ty. because I can definitely cut some feta over a bag of salad Ty
ikiteimasu@reddit
Great! It’s one of my go to lunches. You could even look out for those pots of olives/cheese/tomatoes and mix that in to a baby leaf/rocket/mix bag situation. Tasty and quick ☺️
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
I never would have thought about this
Wuffles70@reddit
Mentioning because it really helped me when I was dealing with some health issues.
You can buy wheely trolleys which are designed to be sat on when you are tired. I know that is another expenditure and thus might not be immediately in reach but having the right tools can make things like supermarket shops a more realistic option. I also still wear sunglasses and/or a baseball cap at the supermarket (florescent lighting flares my neuro stuff) - even though things hve improved, it's much more comfortable.
I'm not saying don't get your groceries delivered if that's what works for you - it just might help expand your options a bit.
Repulsive-Note-112@reddit
Can you get a carer assigned to you for a weekly shop? I am a carer and do this pretty much daily. You might get council funding for it. That would allow you to shop at cheaper places.
Consider a rice cooker and slow cooker, they are not expensive to buy and operate and allow cheep food to be good food.
Myopic_Mirror@reddit
I second getting a rice cooker and slow cooker. Relatively low effort, well worth it imo, hang in there OP!
anabsentfriend@reddit
If your mum's able to come and help every now and again could she help you with batch cooking?
I do veggie curries, basically just a load of veg, tin of tomatoes and a jar of sauce. I can make a painful that gives me six servings. I put then into individual containers and freeze them. I get one out the night before I'm going to have it to defrost in fridge and then microwave it for a few minutes and have with whatever rice you like.
I also do a pasta sauce (with sausages, beans or veggie mince in) and also a daal (with rice).
They all cook in one pan. The main effort is chopping the veg, so if you can get some help with that bit, then all you have to do is simmer and stir for about half an hour.
One big pan feeds me for nearly a week with just one cooking session.
TedBurns-3@reddit
Of course it's not, you CHOOSE greggs, no one forces you pal. It's not hard or taxing to put a ready meal in the oven
You're the one putting obstacles in the way so you can be a victim.
slipfan2@reddit
Yep. This is a complete sob story with zero initiative
KittyBeans90@reddit
Legumes are full of fibre and protein and are pretty cheap. Butter beans, chickpeas, cannellini beans and lentils are great bases. They’re are some good recipes on BBC Good food. My favourite right now ow is Butter Beans in Passata with veggies and feta (I add loads of paprika too)
Racing_Fox@reddit
Yes, next.
tommycahil1995@reddit
As someone who is lazy with cooking, I made a pretty healthy affordable couple of meals without much effort in the week. Usually mediterranean inspired type things.
Some toasted pita bread, red pepper hummus, can of tuna in a bowl with some olive oil and pepper, and a whole red pepper cut up into slices with pepper and olive oil on them. Switch the pepper for cucumber if you want, switch the tuna for boneless sardines in tomato (put some chilli oil on). Honestly great 'meal', zero cooking apart from toasting, 10 minutes to make. Very filling. I'd usually eat after football training or a time where I couldn't be bothered to cook at all. Can throw it all into a bowl with some dressing and it's a salad basically.
Don't live in the UK anymore so cant even eat this (miss it though), but it was cheap to make. Pita was 50p for 6, tuna was 65p for a large can, pepper was three for £1.60, cucumber was 70p-£1 each, hummus was usually a quid for a bigger pot (£3 for a tub).
Sounds like you might like something similar if you liked the mediterranean type stuff your mum brought round.
Probably need something else for the other meals but it's not a bad one to have in rotation. Covers the carbs, veg and protein.
razzlerm@reddit
I think this is probably going to be helpful for OP. High protein salads take minutes to make. The same ingredients could also be used to make a sandwich for lunch. Also consider porridge with banana and peanut butter for breakfast.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
yes deffo helpful ty
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
Ty this sounds achievable!
Kitchen_Current@reddit
Honestly slow cookers and an air fryer is your best friend, I can’t stand for long due to essential tremors and it’s the easiest thing to do.
Maybe try getting a chair in the kitchen while preparing food? Frozen veg etc is a game changer too. Look out for when supermarkets have veg on offer you can always blanch them and then freeze them yourself etc
Norklander@reddit
Being disabled and exhausted makes everything harder whatever your financial situation. Having low cost go to meals might help, my opinion FWIW is that healthy food isn’t expensive but some healthy things are. Potato’s and Rice are healthier and cheaper than pasta and bread. Beans and pulses very cheap and very healthy source of protein. Frozen veg just as healthy as fresh and often nicer. Eggs and cheese healthy can be are expensive though if you’re on a budget.
Baked potato dead easy, eat hot or cold goes with anything and I have them couple times a week and I’m not on a budget.
Plugged_in_Baby@reddit
You got a lot of good advice re: frozen fruit and veg from Iceland and using the slow cooker/smoothie maker, but let me pipe up for tray bakes: literally chuck it all on a sheet pan (start with broccoli, red onion, peppers which you can all get pre chopped from Iceland, add a couple of spoonfuls of pesto from a jar and you’re golden. You can also place a couple of chicken breast or thigh pieces of top for protein.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
tyyy!
starsandshards@reddit
Or even sausages! There's a great recipe from the Hairy Bikers for a sausage tray bake.
Intelligent-Iguana@reddit
It is hard, but it's not impossible. I'm in a similar position , living alone with health issues that cause chronic fatigue among other things. I know what you mean about it being easier to just grab something from Greg's to fill you up. Sometimes even thinking about what to cook, never mind doing it, is exhausting, so it's easier to just order out.
My suggestions are to use frozen vegetables - prechopped onion, garlic, peppers, leeks are all easy to get, and soffrito mix has been amazing. I try and keep a stack of freezer burritos which I make on a good day - with rice (i use sachets as it's easier), a tin of black beans, frozen veg and whatever protein I have- often the frozen bags of precooked, prechopped chicken, along with some grated cheese (bought pre-grated) and for me, some hot sauce. Lots of protein, lots of veg and i just grab them from the freezer and pop them in the airfryer. No thinking, and no standing to cook.
Casseroles in a pressure cooker or slow cooker are also easy with prechopped ingredients, and portion up. You'll slowly build a selection of things up in the freezer.
A few ready meals kept in there too and you'll have a variety of things.
Oh, and a pot of hummus with celery, peppers, cucumbers or crisps is a perfectly valid meal too!
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
yes you understand ! hummus and veg sounds great screenshotting this and many others ty
Andurael@reddit
Yes. If you do not know what a healthy portion size is and you lack time, working it out is incredibly difficult and the only positive pressure will be your own willpower. Everything else, including your own body, will fight against you.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
cool not portion size I need help with but I can tell you mean well, and I hope you have a good night
__sunmoonstars__@reddit
If you use Tesco make sure to search Aldi price match and choose what you want from there.
I’m a big fan of the slow cooker. For 20 min prep time and 4-8 hour of waiting you can get around 8 portions which are freezable, so you can microwave them when you’re not feeling the best. I often throw a can of pulses or some dried lentils in to bulk out recipes even more.
Food prices have gone insane, I’m sorry this is even harder for you than the average person and I hope you get a lot of good tips.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
will deffo look into a slow cooker. I really appreciate your kind and empathetic words, thank you . slow cooker sounds v accessible in terms of energy
ceciem2100@reddit
I have epilepsy and cannot drive because of the seizures, I'm also underweight and can't carry heavy things. I honestly have MOST of my groceries delivered for this reason. Just need to get smart make lists and when I do make purchases they are large. Then I do batch cook, and freeze things. I usually make 1 stew/soup/curry a week and portion that out for a week.
Potatoes are cheap, nutritious and can be used so many ways. Jacket potatoes with some beans or tuna is pretty cheap and yummy!! Porridge (if you don't buy instant stuff) is cheap just add some diced apples, cinnamon and some brown sugar. Frozen veggies are always in my freezer. I grow tomatoes on my balcony in the summer.
Affordable groceries and healthy eating is totally possible. Eating ready meals, junk food, and takeaways are not reasonable choices on a budget.
Familiar-Woodpecker5@reddit
Jacket spud with tuna and cheese is my favourite.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank u
Hame_Impala@reddit
Can't go wrong with it, always a solid last-minute option.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
Apples and porridge sounds good, thank you for the suggestions . It’s not laziness that’s why Im asking the questions and I’ve got lots of helpful suggestions from people. youre right it’s not reasonable but that is the issue
tieflingteeth@reddit
You can even buy frozen bags of pre cooked jacket potatoes and they only need 6 min in the microwave!
Chunswae22@reddit
It is for sure, people will tell you it's cheap to eat healthy but in reality it's not. Your best bet is frozen or tinned veg, frozen fruit, pre cooked meat (like the chicken fillets in freezer section), tinned fish and microwaveable grains/rice/noodles. Frozen/tinned food is cheaper than fresh and all you need to do is either microwave, boil or air fry. Frozen veg tends to be pre chopped aswell which helps. Aldi do nice pre seasoned chicken fillets/skewers that take 15 mins in air fryer.
-captaindiabetes-@reddit
It definitely can be cheap. I'm with you on frozen veg and fruit but prep cooked meat is the worst thing to buy, not healthy or cheap
djwillis1121@reddit
Things like beans and lentils are ideal. Cheap, healthy and filling. Something like a simple lentil curry or bean chilli is very easy and cheap to make.
GayAttire@reddit
Chicken might still be OK. I buy 5kg of breasts for £6.50/kg from the butcher. Much better than tesco stuff (more meat, less water) for the same price more or less. Of course, thats harder for OP. Maybe someone could collect a big order if they can stretch to it, and freeze it. Otherwise I agree that lentils and beans will do the job (a bit farty, though!)
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you!
doctorace@reddit
Bone-in chicken thighs from the shop are still fairly cheap, and great for slow-cooking
yellowsubmarine45@reddit
And lentils dont need long cooking or soaking like most legumes, so you can buy a cheap bag of the dried ones and it will cook in 20 minutes.
these_metal_hands@reddit
No.
You can get fruit, veg, grains and pulses delivered.
Due to your disabilities, complex dishes that require you to stand for a long time and tend to pans may be off the table. But, you do have options. Fruit smoothies, vegetable soups and dahls are all low effort and nutritious. The slow cooker should be your secret weapon!
It can be hard to get into good habits, so set realistic, achievable goals. Like trying to cook one new dish a week. You'll soon find your favourites and you can build from there.
Healthy eating can be very cheap, and easy.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
smoothies sounds very achievable, genuinely didn’t think of those so grateful
batteryforlife@reddit
This. Doing a massive overhaul of eeverything from day one isnt realistic. Find one meal you think is doable, like an oven bake, and thats your next 3-4 meals. Or stick portions in the freezer and reheat. The next week pick another meal, and so on. After a few months you will have a recipe bank you can rely on, and a shopping list you can order and have meals planned out.
Also healthy meals dont have to be hot food, you can do things like cold wraps or ready made salads for lunch.
dashboardbythelight@reddit
I’m a big fan of lentil/ pulse pouches from Aldi, especially the French style ones which are in a tomato and basil sauce. There’s also a Spanish one which is more paprika and pepper-y.
No prep or cooking required and they’re only about a quid each.
I do tend to upgrade them by chopping extra salad bits into them, and adding smoked salmon or cooked chicken, but you wouldn’t have to if your disabilities make that tricky.
froghogdog19@reddit
Air fryer - I just stick a fuckload of veg and spices in and set the timer. I hit my air fryer for £20 and it was so worth it. It’s shit being disabled isn’t it?
makomirocket@reddit
My dude, a frozen pizza or a ready meal is going to be far healthier than eating from Greggs or the Chicken Shop.
It's far less work too. You're just putting it in the oven.
How on earth are you claiming that going to Gregg's or the Chicken Shop is less work than cooking, especially when you're talking about standing time and fatigue. How are you talking about the expenses of supermarkets if you're talking about deliveries instead?
A damn baked potato + anything is going to take almost zero effort and cost less than a sausage roll
canopy_views@reddit
There's a great recipe book to help in exactly this situation. It's called Good food for bad days by Jack Monroe.
Opposite_Position125@reddit (OP)
thank you so much for the recommendation I will look into this book
AltGameAccount@reddit
No, healthy eating is an American problem. It is impossible there, you can only eat healthy there if you do all of your shopping and also cooking (or if you have a personal chef).
Tesco sells freshly cooked soups in plastic cans that you can reheat and are good for two meals, and fresh precut vegetables that you can just throw in the microwave or the oven that are also quite cheap. Just add some protein to that and you easily cover 2 meals a day. Also ready meals like lasagna or curry or pizza are not too bad, or you can buy the ready sauce and pasta separately and have it ready in ~20 minutes.
DiscoDoberman@reddit
I live very cheaply on Tesco's cheapest dried egg noodles, packets of rice + frozen veg medley.
Plus their cooked chickens (or sainsburys does them too) are good value for money.
You can also combine the above with Sainsburys cheapest chicken goujons, they're pretty decent.
And you add cheap pasta to the mix - more options.
There are lots of ways to eat healthy on a small budget, you just need to be open to bland and a bit creative.
Fabulous_Slice_5361@reddit
Brown lentils are your friends
Top-Advisor8512@reddit
Id say it's critical for you to put the work in to switch over to eating real food. It absolutely will be worth it in the long run. And the more good stuff you eat, the more energy you will have to build, maintain and grow this new habit!
Just start small. 1 or 2 home cooked meals that are healthish is enough to begin with. Supplement it with a small range of fresh snacks. Apples and oranges. Berries and nuts. Crackers and a banana.
Just start small. Build up your energy levels. And add one component at a time!
bumbleb33-@reddit
Packaged dried ramen noodles some frozen veg and a couple eggs poached in the liquid you're cooking the noodles and veg in. Can have a meal that's filling and done in one pan in about 5-6 min. Add some soy sauce and chilli oil/ sesame oil if you have it. I top mine with spring onions to feel fancy lol
I also like the 2 minute microwave pouches from aldi that are lentils or grains. Empty into a bowl and throw pre grated cheese on top. Microwave. Microwave frozen sweetcorn. Drain and add. 6 minutes tops and not much washing up.
Another option is cook spiral pasta and add a tin of tuna salt pepper and mayo and some cooked frozen peas. Add other spices if you have them. Mix it all together. Works well hot or cold so can make double and have tea one day and lunch another. If you like prawns you can do the same but swap the tuna for them. Also works with cooked chicken.
Pasta with houmous smoked paprika salt and pepper and grated cheese is another easy one. Add some veg sticks.
Tinned potatoes drained and dried off make an OK potato salad. Add some hard boiled eggs or ham/chicken, bagged salad leaves or lettuce and some carrot batons for a hot summer's day meal. Also makes a good lunch option to make up the day before.
Couscous is another easy one hot or cold because you add boiling water butter spices salt and just cover for 10 min. Fluff up and add some tinned/frozen veg and a protein. Extra in the fridge is easy to take out and eat with cold meats.
It doesn't have to look pretty but it can be nutritionally OK for low price/time/effort. Even things like a bowl of Greek yoghurt honey and dried fruit and chopped nuts is going to fill you up and you're getting a combination of fats protein carbs and a fruit portion.
bumbleb33-@reddit
Oh and peanut butter! Add a tbsp of it with a banana some milk and a bit of honey to a blender and you have a calorie packed meal in a short space of time. Soak the blender and it's easier to clean later.
AnxiousAppointment70@reddit
No. Raw veg is cheap. Most fruit is cheap. Protein rich food is expensive but you can make healthy meals on a budget if you can be bothered.
sheistybitz@reddit
Your disability money should go towards disability costs like taxis to Aldi.
the01li3@reddit
Slow cooked meals and batch cook meals are wonderful, then can just lov them in the microwave when feeling low energy.
web3monk@reddit
Imo yes. Most food in the UK is really cheap. I think a lot of it is finding recipes that work for you and specifically thinking about low effort things.
You can eat very healthy on a budget. I prepare pretty much everything from scratch (including bread) but only cook things that take 10 mins or so worth of effort (waiting not included but cleanup included) and eat a good varied diet. I generally use one pot or pan only.
Even when I've been dying of flu I've been able to prepare healthy meals for my kids
howardgarden@reddit
Seriously, what if the flu you had was ongoing for more than 6 months, would you still be finding the energy and motivation to get up everyday and prep food. Your comparison is rude and unhelpful.
web3monk@reddit
Well I assumed it wasn't as bad as the flu but obviously understand something permanent is much worse then the flu overall.
My point was it can be easy to make good food.
Message of hope.
Adam-West@reddit
One more caveat is disorganised. It’s very difficult if you’re poor disabled and exhausted. But it’s impossible if you’re those things and disorganised
Kathiye@reddit
Important to note that some people are disorganised BECAUSE of their disability e.g. due to brain fog or executive dysfunction. While many people can find ways to cope despite this, you can't always divorce the disorganisation from the disability and telling people "It'll be fine if you just get organised" isn't always helpful.
(Not saying you're disagreeing with this, just wanted to add!)
Adam-West@reddit
Oh for sure. Im saying this as somebody that is 100% unable to get organised.
PerfectPeaPlant@reddit
I’m not. At least, not all the time. I can only eat healthy when I can access healthy food, which isn’t most of the time. I have a lot of the same problems; crippling fatigue, chronic pain, difficulty standing (I pass out after a few minutes) and PEM. Once fatigue strikes I’m down, on bed or chair rest for days. My carer works and also has someone else she’s looking after so she’s not available for every meal/on demand.
It’s impossible for me to go to the supermarket - I need a mobility scooter to access the bigger (cheaper) shops and I need a carer to help me. On a good day I might be able to get round a Tesco one stop but I still need help to pack, carry and drive.
I also pay in 4-5 days of symptoms after even slight exertion like this. So I too rely on deliveries or takeaways.
I’d prefer a healthier diet, calorie counted so I can lose weight, but it takes all the energy I have just to make toast some days. I can’t batch cook without a carer to help me either.
And my doc tells me to eat less crap lol. He’s right but at the same time I have to eat what I can get.
There is no quarter given to people like us. And no quarter for those overweight either, even though it’s part of a group of health problems that simply can’t be cured. I get attitude for being fat on a mobility scooter and j point out I used to be fit and slim, until I got sick with ME. People just assume I’m lazy. It’s disgusting tbh, the way people treat the disabled.
A large proportion of my income goes on bills, food, delivered items because I can’t get to the shops, and minor entertainment because I can’t leave the house without help.
I think the answer to your question is no. Healthy eating is largely inaccessible to people like me who are poor, disabled, fatigued and in chronic pain. Which only worsens the problem because a better diet would help with some of my symptoms.
pixeltash@reddit
I was going to say much the same.
ME for 32 years, mostly house and bed bound, but thankfully have a partner who is my carer.
What a lot of the responses haven't taken into account is you need energy to eat and digest food. It's a small amount that if you aren't disabled, you may not even notice it, but with a condition like ME, you do. I can either put together a sandwich, or microwave a jacket potato, or I can eat something. I physically can't do both.
JoeDaStudd@reddit
Instant pot and rice cooker for gadgets then buy frozen prechopped veg and herbs/garlic/ginger and canned tomatoes, beans and pulses.
You can make a veggie chilli in a few minutes of effort with frozen onions, peppers, canned tomatoes, canned beans and a spice mix.\ Make a big batch, have a few meals from it and freeze portions then just microwave it with some rice, tortilla chips, jacket potato, etc.
You can do similar with soups, curries, pasta sauces etc.
tieflingteeth@reddit
My partner and I are disabled and on a budget.
We get groceries delivered by Asda, they're cheaper than sainsbury's and do next day deliveries. You can also get a delivery pass and save loads of money on delivery fees, we paid £70 for unlimited deliveries for a year (£40 minimum per shop). It's literally cheaper than going to any of my local shops, bus trip included.
In terms of cooking, we use accessibility aids. We have a perching stool that my partner was given by the local council community therapy service (they are a occupational health service for the public). This prevents standing over the stove.
I meal prep big batches of easy food like chili and rice 1-2 times a week and freeze it all in soupercubes. I mention the brand only because I used to really struggle to make portions not too big or small, and all the cheaper silicon cubes brands were too leaky. It pays itself back on saved takeaways pretty quick. Once you've done a few meal prep sessions you'll have a variety of frozen food you can microwave for meals. I bought a £200 chest freezer so we can store a lot of frozen food, but as a single person you probably wouldn't need one.
I cook with frozen pre cut vegetables a lot of the time. Asda do a frozen 'veg mix' that is just soffrito, tiny cubed onion celery and carrot. I use it as the base for chili or bolognese (both made with turkey mince as it's cheaper and healthier than beef mince) and then there's nothing to chop. I also like making thick chicken and veg soup as it basically cooks itself. I mostly cook soups and stews as you can stretch them very easily with water and beans. Cannelini beans are great for white chicken stews and soups as they add fibre, protein and bulk without adding a taste.
It is a real struggle to keep ourselves fed as sometimes I can't cook for weeks, but this system helps keep our budget and diet reasonable. Hope it helps
ClarifyingMe@reddit
Love our perching stool, also a game changer.
ClarifyingMe@reddit
No it is not.
Once I embraced the world of frozen veg, my world changed.
From garlic, onions diced or sliced, potatoes, spinach to broccoli, mushrooms and so on, it really helped me a lot. And you don't have to get the expensive one. Yes the Asda one has more chances of rough cuts and peel still on but you get loads for a cheap price. I got some Asda ones before.
I also recently bought a mandoline or however you spell it and oh my god. It was very painful for me to cook some days because I couldn't hold what I'm slicing or chopping properly but the mandoline with different thickness options, soooooo effortless. Really changed my life recently.
My executive functioning is very bad and I also struggle with autistic inertia but relying on frozen fresh foods mixed with dried and frozen quick foods makes like much easier to mix it with fresh food too.
I can't batch cook because one day I'll just hate the food and never eat it again and then it sits in the freezer getting freezer burn. So I only cook to have suitable leftovers for 2-3 days.
One of my favourite "get some food and nutrients at the same time" is a crosta and mollica Margherita (usually 5.25 for 2) pizza, then I customise it with sliced bell peppers, sliced onions and some cold cuts or bacon that I keep in the freezer. Then I have it a big side salad from a bag, then just chop some cucumber and cherry tomatoes while waiting.
That's 15 minutes, 11/12 of it being inactive.
jimmy011087@reddit
There’s a lot of lack of information and education I think. Eating healthy is more about being disciplined and conscious about what you eat than going pure cold turkey on stuff. I just came off a 5 week cut where I lost 5 kg before holiday and still managed a decent few treats and a couple of days on the beers. There’s some staple stuff that’s really good that’ll keep you going and keep them cals low and the nutrition high and the cravings away. My main examples have been eggs, Greek yoghurt, bananas, cups of tea, carrots, Coke Zero, chicken wings, hot sauce, white fish and tinned fish weirdly enough. All pretty easily accessible at Aldi and the like. It’s more just knowing how to pull all that together and bulk it out into meals and things that are going to help you sustain good habits long term.
I usually found that you could be pretty good for 2 meals (say omlette breakfast and homemade soup for lunch) and you could basically eat whatever for dinner, just don’t be silly on the portion. It’s them ultra processed, high carb things like Pizza that cost you but even then there’s ways to damage limit them so you could still pick that as meal 3 and easily get a good deficit.
kalendral_42@reddit
Morrisons do an annual delivery pass which means you’re not paying the delivery fee every delivery, if I remember right they have different delivery passes for different types of regular deliveries. Once you’ve got the pass you just pay for the products on each delivery & it’s up to you if you choose the cheaper/more expensive versions - same as if you go to the actual shop.
I also have chronic conditions that include pain management & fatigue & some of the cooking/kitchen hacks I’ve found helpful are: 1. Sloping kitchen mobility stool - makes it easier to stand when doing prep, etc 2. Cut down on prep wherever possible, so either a) buy a large amount of fresh whole ingredients (e.g. tomatoes) spend an afternoon prepping them all, portioning them up & freezing for future use, or b) accept that we can’t do it all & that the frozen pre-cut veg on sale in the supermarket (or even the tinned stuff) is just as nutritious & healthy as the stuff we sweat blood over to prep it ourselves. It’s not cheating to use frozen veg, it’s just lifestyle/pain management
I found stir fries are a really quick, easy way to get good nutrition - basically chuck some pre-prepped veg in a pan, add some pre-prepped protein, add a bit of sauce/spice to taste & serve with rice/noodles which can be done in the microwave (not cheating - lifestyle management)
You could also look into some of the online food services - some are quite expensive but there are some good cheap ones out there like Stocked - https://stockedfood.com/pages/our-story - that might be useful
Also looking at just the basic - need something to keep in the pantry that can be made quickly & has at least basic nutrition in it - tinned soups can be brilliant & they can also be used for bases to make stews/sauces for pasta/etc
tobotic@reddit
As do Sainsbury's, and I think Tesco.
plusthecats@reddit
And Asda
chocklityclair@reddit
I hesitate to give you advice about shopping when you have a disability; however, I will say that ready meals are not healthy.
Normally I would suggest bulk-buying things such as dried pulses, barley, brown rice etc (easier from stores in areas with a diverse population) and cooking meals from scratch with whatever fresh veg are in season and low-priced. Pasta is fine as well, and ready-made pastry might be an option if you can use it all and don't want to make it by hand.
If you're cooking from scratch then batch-cooking absolutely does make sense - but is your specific disability part of the problem because it limits your ability to cook?
I spend £13 per week on a veg box and other than that I buy mostly pulses, herbs and spices. Things like nuts and quinoa cost more, but my main splurge is extra virgin olive oil, which is the only oil I use.
The reason I'm saying this is because healthy eating doesn't mean the same to everyone. So for me it means plant-based food, which is very affordable in my experience. I only work 120 days a year, so it has to be.
Dense_Appearance_298@reddit
There's a food triad, you can pick any two of:
1 cheap
2 easy to prepare
3 healthy
SuperHansDunYourMum@reddit
A vegetable soup is all 3 of those things.
Hame_Impala@reddit
Love making a good soup and it typically covers all of this, but usually wouldn't find it filling enough for an evening dinner as I'm not much of a snacker.
Great option for lunches though, need to get back into making it more often.
Dense_Appearance_298@reddit
I suppose this depends on your definitions of cheap, easy and nutritious, but I gather from OPs post that they struggle with tasks like chopping, frying, batching things up etc; even a simple soup still takes some effort / labour.
kai_enby@reddit
Yes I suffer from some problems similar to OP (but more mild) and the chopping and the standing are the real killer. It's also why batch cooking is never much of a solution if your problem is fatigue as it's 2 or 4 times the chopping to get the extra ingredients, and often the recipes are things like chillis and soups that need minding on the stove. My solution is Gousto/HelloFresh boxes as they come with some pre-prepped ingredients depending on what you pick, I can model the recipes around my energy levels and choose short cook times, and I don't have to shop for the recipes but that might not be financially viable for OP
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
It's easy in terms of "not requiring skill" but OP struggles with fatigue. The idea of chopping a load of stuff and then standing over a saucepan might be too much
SuperHansDunYourMum@reddit
Fry some onions, chuck in 2 can of chopped tomatoes, some tomato puree, smoked paprika, chilli powder, can of beans. Heat, set the hob to low and watch TV for 2 hours. Chuck in some frozen turkey mince if you want to bulk it out. Minimal prep and minimal standing.
Profession-Unable@reddit
Pressure cooker or slow cooker solves the problem of standing over a stove. Set it and forget it.
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
Yeah, good shout. I also posted in the thread advising OP about perch stools. Hopefully they see it
ashacceptance22@reddit
Jack Munroe is an excellent chef who has lived in poverty on a shoestring budget.
They have lots of super helpful recipes and tips for cheapest ways to get enough nutrition from the meals.
I highly recommend 'Cooking On A Bootstrap'
ConnectionLeading435@reddit
Batch cooked veggie soups are cheap healthy and don’t take long to do. Did a carrot and coriander today made 7 bowls (took 20 mins) which I’ll have a couple this week and freeze the rest individually for next. Cost works out to be about 80p a dish. I also do cauliflower & broccoli and tomatoe and basil.
ashacceptance22@reddit
Slow cooker and frozen chopped veggies! Even if I'm only able to do something in the slow cooker x1 a week, I'm then able to have 4/6 portions that does 3 nights of dinner sorted.
bodhibirdy@reddit
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. It's not fair that more help and funds aren't allocated to people going through what you're going through. I'm sorry we're in such a difficult time with how the system works for people like you/us. I say us because not long ago I also really, really struggled with my mobility and taking care of myself for about 1-1.5 years postpartum, thanks to excruciating back spasms and other stuff going on. I'm still struggling with it now 2.5yrs on however my mobility is so much better and it's getting a little bit easier to take care of myself again. I surely would have been rejected from receiving extra help/disability support when I was in the depths of my chronic pain/spasms.
One of my favourite 'budget' meals to make a big giant bowl of us my version of Pasta Primavera - which is just fusilli, green broccoli, black olives (halved) + Green Pesto + EVOO + Lemon juice + a little grana padano at the end. I loved eating it whether it was still hot or cold right out of the fridge. I always felt like I was replenishing a lot of nutrients mainly from how heavily I could bulk it with broccoli. Once in a blue moon I'd add peas.
Not sure how big a help it is but hopefully maybe just sharing one of my reliable recipes from back when I struggled.
I would frequently write down ideas in my Notes of recipe ideas like this that I'd come across where it's only like 4 main ingredients max, but still felt nutritious for me. The less ingredients there were the less overwhelming it felt to me and the more manageable shopping, carrying, etc. felt to me. I gave myself radic ermission to totally disregard any meals/recipes that required more than 4 ingredients. If it was a hummus Panini with a few Roasted Red Peppers (Aldi) and leaves, that was 'health' for me...
I actually love the smoked salmon 'trimmings' from Aldi on some scrambled eggs. add feta when I can. I feel better in myself when I have 1 meal of salmon or smoked salmon a week - if you're a woman try to always get in your omega 3s.
Hot smoked mackerel (Aldi) in the red sauce... Bung it in a pot on the hob, heat and shred it up with a fork, then dump it on top of your toast. Maybe an easy peeler and some berries on the side.
Give yourself permission to have the same thing frequently. You're invited to not feel like you need to change your meal plan to completely different one week from the next. Variety is nice yes but ensuring we have it is also, simply exhausting. I was happier (because I was less exhausted) and my life is just as rich when I have some banana + wheat bisks for breakfast most days.. And a yogurt and fruit bowl as a snack before bed nearly every night too
Sorry if rambling, but I do wish you more good days on the horizon
Western_Disaster_118@reddit
Slow cookers are your best bet. Load it with protein and veg and youve an endless supply of healthy meal options. I got one on amazon there for £17. Make a big batch and then freeze individual portions. If you have good days then try batch cooking and the freezer becomes your best friend.
Go to the shops later in the day and look out for reduced veg and ingredients. You'd be surprised at how much you can freeze (like spinach, which is always found in a yellow label section).
The trick is to be strategic about what you keep on hand ingredient wise. Tins of beans, chick peas, and even tinned baby potatoes are all healthy options that keep for a long time. Keep potatoes in sacks in a dark cupboard and they keep for ages. Frozen veg is excellent nutrionally and can be added to a lot of things. Look out for herbs in the yellow label section as they can all be frozen too and make any meal interesting. The international section in supermarkets as has lots of options which are usually cheaper too - I buy frozen ginger and garlic cubes in the international freezer section and it's so handy.
Amazon pantry is also good. You can get 12 tins of any kind of beans for £5. Lots of meal options, with or without meat added. Beans are full of protein and fibre. And I mean thinks like kidney beans or butter beans, doesn't alayws have to be baked beans.
I utilise the freezer a lot so there's less wastage and there's always something I can make into a quick meal. Like baked potatoes - make a batch of them and they keep well in the freezer. Defrost in the micro and choose your topping of choice.
SparklyRainbowAngel@reddit
Yes. I'm poor, disabled, ill and exhausted and struggling to eat healthily. Everything is just so expensive.
Ill_Consideration605@reddit
I don't spend much on food and I eat healthy: brown rice, free range eggs, mixture of nuts, canned fish, oats, olive oil and some veg and fruits - that's it it cost me less than £200 a week. I don't eat out
Gingerbarkid@reddit
Slow cooker meals, you'll get lovely home cooked healthy meals without having to spend ages in the kitchen.
Plus a lot slow cooked meals will produce leftovers that you could freeze for another day.
howardgarden@reddit
I wouldn't call it inaccessible but it is definitely more difficult, because it takes time, energy and planning. It's hard to make those stars align when you're disabled.
My wife has FND so I have an idea of what you're up against. My wife also has arfid, so we work with a limited palette and our food shops don't seem to change a lot week on week - there is a mix of preprepared food and some fresh, but we do keep easy to make things on hand for low energy days - like packet noodles and frozen meals. Remember, there is no shame in eating foods that might be unhealthier than if you made it yourself, fed is absolutely always best.
Lots of love to everyone in the comments who are suggesting options to you when I don't think I see you asking for them and they probably aren't grasping at how your conditions may affect your abilities in the kitchen. To throw my in my own two cents, I really like watching itsmekatevee on insta, they do a lot of meal planning and prep and I find the example they set very helpful - though they're in US so not that helpful.
WoodSteelStone@reddit
Do you work? If not, maybe treat the time other people would work as well as cooking their meals, as your job to look after yourself. So set aside that time to prep meals at a comfortable pace.
howardgarden@reddit
This is a lovely idea from you but doesn't really take in the context of disability..
wasntmebutok@reddit
Try using an AI to help you plan out meals, you can prompt it with your budget and dietary requirements, and it can help you create a shopping list. If you’re shopping for fresh fruit/veg then tescos should be fairly similar to Lidl /aldi price wise, and the quality is usually much better
fiveofspades94@reddit
Would tinned food be accessible? I'm thinking cheap cans of fish, especially mackerel and sardines, with microwave rice, would be highly nutritious, cheap and low-effort.
Best of luck! It's tricky these days so I hope you have the energy to try some new suggestions on here <3
Robotica_Daily@reddit
Tinned Chickpeas are amazing, cheap, super healthy, tasty (IMO), you can eat them right out the tin or just microwave in a bowl. You can bulk out any dish or salad with them. Hell, you can even double the size of your takeaway curry by mixing them in.
Also eggs, you can crack them into a mug and put them in the microwave for 1.5 mins. No need for a pan.
fluxpeach@reddit
my go to is a jacket potato with tuna and some salad and veggies. you can make loads of jacket potatoes and air fry them to reheat as needed. complete food source plus some things like cheese, canned salmon or tuna for healthy fats and proteins/omega 3s. sweet potatoes are also good and quick, microwave for 5 mins then air fry for 10/25 + whatever toppings and some veggies in the air fryer like brocoli or frozen peas just microwaved. it doesn’t have to be complicated
Outrageous_Donut7681@reddit
I'm currently in the middle of trying to eat gelathier, especially while working and yeah... I just ended up buying a box and filling it with fruit and veg to bring with me to snack on.
Unhealthy processed crap is more accessible, cheaper, and while there are a few healthy options for a meal deal, usually they all completely pale in portion sizes. Trying to do a meal deal with just the healthy options leaves you hungry again in about 20 mins
nebulousrealist@reddit
It sounds like delivery is the best for your physical health and dealing with the general stimulus and overwhelm of a shop.
Without even considering the mental load of crafting a menu on a budget. But what I will say is takeout is convenient, great from time to time, especially when utterly exhausted and don't beat yourself up for those occasions.
It's difficult to find healthy, cheap, low/ no-prep meals that mean you're not in the kitchen for long periods of time.
I'm fortunate enough to be able to get to aldi/lidl and be physically able to meal prep / batch cook and all the suggestions you keep getting...
If I think about some low effort options, my slow cooker is my saviour sometimes! Especially recipes where you just chuck it in and then the meat falls apart so no arduous carving up.
Tinned beans / legumes / lentils are always a winner for a cheap high fibre / protein option.
I'd probably need a little more information on what recipes are currently manageable for you so I'm not suggesting a load of things that aren't accessible for you!
But, I just wanted to say that ready meals are fine, good enough is good enough! It's also fine to have picky dinners where your eating cheese, olives, pre prepped veggies, carrot sticks or something and some Hummus - you don't need to have a cooked meal to be healthy :D
My morning go to are always oats, just not the packet ones, they're now classified as junk food 🥲
Entire-Emotion-819@reddit
I went through a bad time that lasted an extended period where I pretty much stopped eating, pushed myself to the edge of malnutrition, I was in a bad state, getting help now, but I know what you're talking about, I keep trying to come up with stuff, and it's kinda soul destroying to find myself priced out of decent food, which is making my recovery that much harder since I'm fighting prices plus my body which has no interest in eating, it's weird how the human body can get weirdly self destructive sometimes. (Sorry, I rambled, never really spoke about this before).
CelDidNothingWrong@reddit
You can make healthy cheap by cooking yourself and buying in bulk, but accessible is a little harder. If you want microwave meals to be healthy I just don’t see it happening, there aren’t enough people in that market that would pick the healthy option.
Aspect-Unusual@reddit
Things poor people can't afford is "buying in bulk"
Dismal_Fox_22@reddit
Witshire farm foods are generally quite well nutritionally balanced. Catalog order meals, delivered to home. They are marketed towards the elderly or less able. Some of the delivery drivers will even put it away in the freezer for you if you’d struggle.
They aren’t wildly expensive either
minadequate@reddit
My gran gets Wiltshire farm foods, my mum has eaten some and says they are decent.
sv21js@reddit
Healthy microwave meals exist but are much more expensive. There are lots of services that will deliver them to you.
DrainpipeDreams@reddit
Nobody knows that for sure because, at the moment, it's not an option that people can pick.
Streathamite@reddit
Companies spend a fortune on market research. If the customer base existed in pretty certain is would already be an option
luckeratron@reddit
They do already exist and lots of pensioners use them. That's what meals on wheels basically are.
JeffSergeant@reddit
The Slimming World microwave meals are pretty healthy, tasty, although nowhere near as cheap as making it yourself. Aldi and Tesco have their own-brand equivalents, I've not inspected the ingredients but they didn't seem terrible.
Upstairs_Zebra6949@reddit
The diet that you might find useful is one that starts with 'V' and ends in 'N'. Healthy eating is mostly avoiding the harmful food stuff like salt, saturated fat, trans fat, preservatives, artificial colouring, alcohol, etc, whilst moderating plant oils and drinkable calories. If I was to write a v**** cheat sheet: humus, bread, bag of greens is pretty cheap and instant food, which can be made varied by slicing in beetroot, onion or whatever ready-to-eat veg is on offer. Emergency potatoes tumbled with herbs, 10 minutes in the microwave. Porridge for breakfast. Dates, instant but healthy "sugar fix". Sultanas. Rice mix bag of pre-cut veg (often in the reduced isle). Peanut butter and jam sandwiches are not to be sniffed at either, they have a lower glucose spike than bread alone, and lower than bread and butter. Simple pasta recipes like pasta, peas, a little olive oil, dollop of humus if you want a sauce. If you lose weight and don't want to, add more carbs. If you gain weight, reduce the carb portion. Very simple really.
Illustrious-Cell-428@reddit
Here in London by far the cheapest healthy food is found in markets and international supermarkets. Realistically M&S ready meals and tapas are treat food for most people. And even the premium ready meals are often fairly processed with high levels of sugar and salt.
My advice would be to learn to batch cook. Make healthy meals and freeze them in portions. That way if you don’t feel like cooking you can just defrost something.
Capable-Campaign3881@reddit
I do think fruit can be expensive and for people on a low budget they only may afford to eat fruit only 1x per week. I would love to find a shop that would stock good sourced as some of the fruit that I’ve bought from other stores easily goes off quickly.
A_RAVENOUS_BEAST@reddit
wow, some people literally can't do anything
GuelderRoseFruit@reddit
This is exactly the sort of thing I'd ask AI. Let it figure it out and take that weight off your shoulders.
giraffe_jump@reddit
The pasta bake sauce out of lidl, tomato and bacon. I tray bake this with frozen veg and precooked chicken. When I'm having low energy days. I get few servings out of it.
entersandmum143@reddit
Could you invest in a steamer. Veg definitely tastes better and you can do chicken, fish on the bottom layer.
An entire meal can be cooked in a steamer.
Accessibility wise. I've found it cheaper (and more delicious) to eat meals made from scratch. Single working mum to 2 kids and time was limited, I would still make meals from scratch. It becomes 2nd nature after a while and doesn't feel as though it takes that long
However, processed food, ready meals etc really don't agree with me. Plus side- my children have a broad palate.
Volucella_zonaria@reddit
Frozen veg, cook it in the same pan as your pasta - peas, leeks, green beans. Makes a pasta dish much healthier!
joesus-christ@reddit
The idea that healthy food costs more is simply a lack of education in our country. The idea of Aldi/Lidl being considerably cheaper is far less true these days, too.
Start simple; buy a collection of cheap healthy ingredients and ask the internet for simple meal ideas with it.
bacon_cake@reddit
Yeah I'll never get why "healthy food is expensive" gets parroted so much. Since overhauling my diet and cooking fresh every single day (and going veggie) our weekly food bill for 3 people is never more than £75 or so all in. And that's an expensive week, sometimes if there's no sundries it's less than £50.
Lemon-Flower-744@reddit
I have found getting the more in season fruit and veg cheaper. As soon as it's out of season it's more expensive (from what I've seen anyways)
I can see OPs point about the unhealthy things being less money than fruit / vegetables or even protein. Just for beef mince or chicken breasts now is just over £5, the use by date hasn't always been the best but I guess that's why people batch cook.
I guess with snacks, chocolate, crisps and biscuits are always cheap..?
Silver-Appointment77@reddit
I know how you feel with optioms. My husband ir lactose intolerant, has a really dodgy brlly amd has no teeth. Trying to find options to feed him is limited, and hes not keen on veg. The only meat is chicken and corned beef, but he wont have any pulses or Lentils.
So he lives on Jacket potatoes, 7 minutes in microwave, then cheese and beans, chicken madras, or corn beef anything.
You can get M&S deliveries.
Have you tried Wiltshire farm foods. Tehy deliver ready meals and load of different food. They nearly all coook in the microwave in under 10 minutes. And its one of the best Ive tried. But honestly, theyre worth it
malmikea@reddit
I eat very little and cheap on my good days so I can afford to be more flexible on my bad days. Accommodations and adjustments must be extended to your environment too - focusing on just the groceries and not the other things can also make things harder. E.g If a wheelchair user doesn’t have an adjusted height kitchen that’s a massive barrier with both time /money costs
Learning new techniques and knowing how to adjust recipes can help, although fitting alongside general treatment has been hard for me personally
It’s important for me to prioritise personal care needs above all else but it’s been extremely isolating. I’m constantly hungry, my treatments are failing, it’s a reinforcing cycle
That said, veg is accessible in the UK compared to other places but I do find that infrastructures and housing massively increase barriers
The convenience shopping model is increasing and there’s no way to avoid the impact financially and physically. That’s not just something you can “meal prep” your way out of! The public mentality around this is so off - food and groceries are genuinely changing. Supermarkets supply products based on the demand with a locality. Supply chains are affected
New approaches need to be found and hopefully they’ll be sustainable
knightsbridge-@reddit
You can think of food as a triangle between cheap, convenient and healthy. You can achieve two of these, but rarely all three.
Fast food is cheap and convenient, but not healthy.
Cooking from scratch is cheap and healthy, but not convenient.
High end ready meals are convenient and healthy (comparatively, anyway), but not cheap.
There isn't really a way to bypass this triangle. It comes down to deciding what you want to prioritise. If you can't get to the supermarket in person, you're likely going to be reliant on deliveries... But that would be true for fast food too, and with fast food you have to pay for delivery on each meal, instead of just once per week of groceries.
If you're having trouble with cooking, start simpler. Most supermarkets sell frozen bags of prepared veg that you can microwave. Combine this with something like supermarket pre-prepared chicken trays, and you've got the basics of a rudimentary healthy meal.
Then, focus on stuff with little or no prep time. Stews, casseroles, curries and other one-pot meals are usually easiest - something where you just chuck everything into the pan and leave it for an hour or two. These meals also lend themselves really well to leftovers for the fridge, so you only have to cook once to feed yourself for two or three days, which is going to be far more cost effective than three takeaways.
There is no magic wand answer to your issues. There's only looking at what you can do and deciding what to focus on.
Rich-Peak-3902@reddit
There is a fourth vertex: enjoyable. One *can* make convenient, cheap and healthy meals, but they will be dull and repetitive. Fine if one can function purely on a "food as fuel" model, but most people can't and need variety and flavour.
Fine-Veterinarian804@reddit
everyone else is just saying yes it’s easy so i love this breakdown, totally agree. also like you said with the frozen prepared veg and protein: try and make meal components like this cheaper as a starting point. what can you buy in better bulk deals (at least if you get delivered) and then what can you make more convenient (instant veg or protien) and an example of these in combination is things like can you manage to get some dried pulses or grains (cheaper often) and leave them on to cook while you rest and then portion up for a few meals ahead? hope you find helpful info here and not just a load of apathetic people telling you its “easy” because its not all that easy in this day and age 🫂
Spank86@reddit
I like the gym Kitchen ready meals for around £3 a meal, compared to getting a greggs pasty it certainly has a lot to recommend itself health and cost wise.
glorycock@reddit
There's 2 points here, in a way:
A. The perceived difficulty of cooking health food
B. Financial matters, and the feeling that healthy food is "expensive"
It's understandable that you possibly find cooking difficult, but hopefully you can persevere with it. It might sound boring, but batch-cooking is the way forward.
As for the second point, ironically, eating healthier is often much cheaper than take-outs or ready-meals...
anti-sugar_dependant@reddit
The Iceland meals in a bag are ok. I add extra veggies to them too. So for example I put half a bag of the chicken and bacon pasta meal in a bag in a bowl, add some frozen peas and sweetcorn, maybe a lump or two of spinach, and then nuke it following the instructions on the back of the chicken and bacon bag.
Someone told me the My Protein range at Iceland has good macros but they're out of my price range.
But basically yeah, I really struggle to eat healthily, especially since I'm supposed to be on a low salt, low protein, low potassium diet and like you I struggle to cook anything now. I just sent my mandatory reconsideration in for PIP, hoping to get standard daily living (I already get standard mobility) and if I do I'm hoping I'll be able to afford slightly better nutrition ready meals.
double-happiness@reddit
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Have you got plenty of freezer space and/or cupboard space? You don't seem to say in the OP and that is surely a big factor. Also do you have any kind of space (i.e. a windowsill) to grow any herbs or salad? You can buy them in a pot.
Significant-Map-7620@reddit
Not that you should, but I'm curious to know if you have any thoughts about places where one could eat healthily on a budget, in contrast with the UK?
Figure8712@reddit
I'm not OP, but I have lived for years or stayed for half year contracts in several countries and among them only struggled to find cheap healthy foods in Italy and the UK.
In all other countries spanning 3 continents, there were either (A) cheap street food that was good for you, like thai stir fry full of fresh veg, or (B) ready meals prepared in supermarkets that were very budget, fresh, tasty, and healthy. The street food was available in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore...and probably everywhere across east Asia. The supermarket meals were available in Portugal, Canada, France, and Sweden...and I gather in most of their neighbours as well.
I understand 'ready meals' exist in the uk but in my experience they are never served hot, never prepared fresh on the spot, and in general now very costly. Part of the problem is the state of the world, so at least some places mentioned probably still have the foods but no longer cheap.
This is still one of the only places that I've ever struggled with healthy fast food, and I wish that some of the food habits of other countries would catch on here.
mrbarry1024@reddit
Just do what I do and have meal replacement shakes. Sometimes I can't be bothered cooking.
Mine are £1 per serving so not expensive.
malmikea@reddit
I’ve been doing this and recent blood test was shocking. Now relying on supplements
I have to eat with my medication and it’s recommended to have high protein in the morning, feels like such a burden and trying to change this between ongoing life maintenance feels so hard
Any meal replacements you recommend ?
That-Caterpillar-301@reddit
This lovely woman has an Instagram where she makes disability friendly food. She does low and no chop and stuff that can be done sat down. Hope this helps
https://www.instagram.com/epicuriousexpeditions?igsh=cWQ0NHpmbmxzY2x2
Buddy-Matt@reddit
Chicken shops / Greggs may be relatively cheap, but I doubt they're cheaper than a relatively healthy ready meal.
My local kebab shop will do meat and chips for about 7 quid. And that's if you go in person. Ordering via Just Eat comes with a not insignificant markup.
Cook, which is very much a premium brand, charge about 6 quid for one of their ready meals, which are likely to be healthier. You can chuck some lettuce on the side of a lasagne with minimal cost/effort, and the base effort of making the meal is throwing it in the oven/microwave, not that much more effort than just eat.
andycwb1@reddit
It’s harder, to be fair. But with some planning and research, it’s possible.
Draziwstash@reddit
Fellow FND sufferer here, officially diagnosed for last 10 years but been suffering for around 20.
If you're not uncomfortable sharing, more details about your triggers/stressors? Might be able to help a bit more and give general advice.
As for shopping situations try and get loose fresh items where able so you're not throwing away money on waste - knowing you only need 3 apples versus buying a bag of 10 will always help your pocket in the long run.
Tiddlybean@reddit
I don’t think so. Vegetables, beans, pulses and legumes are some of the cheapest things in the supermarket.
Ok_Young1709@reddit
It is very difficult.
To add to suggestions, jacket potatoes. Cheap to buy, add tuna mayo, beans and cheese, etc cheap and filling meal.
Dizzy_Charcoal@reddit
it would be helpful if you could tell us what equipment you have and what supermarkets are in your town. its all well & good people going "oh slow cooker" or "iceland does free delivery" cos if you can't access those things/places its just bad advice. in particular do you have a freezer?
you might be entitled to more help than you're getting, could your mum help you navigate that?
taegre@reddit
I know a lot of people suggest instapots, air fryers and or slow cookers, but honestly, the oven is the best hack for low effort healthy meals. Look into traybakes, or similar. One of my go to weeknight healthy meals is a fresh roasted cherry tomato sauce pasta with a roasted chicken breast which takes me about 35min. And 25 of those minutes, i'm sitting on the couch. If you line your baking tin with foil or similar, there's minimal clean up.
There are a lot of creators who are doing recipes with minimal chopping/cleaning. You just gotta search them up and start building a portfolio of easy, accessible recipes you like.
Guilty_Question_8925@reddit
Sorry in not answering your main question, I'm in a similar situation as you and I find the easiest thing that's somewhat healthy is cooking pasta with frozen peas /frozen broccoli, it can all be left to boil together, I use spirali pasta as then it all takes 14 minutes to cook. Then stir in a sauce and add some cheese and it covers a few different food groups.
Another one for me is cooking burgers /vegetable fingers, putting them in a wrap and adding some lettuce and cheese and I find I don't have to stand too long to do these
Jebble@reddit
The answer to your question is yes, but only because it's asking about all three pillars. The answer would be yes in every country on the planet.
Prasiatko@reddit
The UK has some of the cheapest food relative to income in the world.
Jebble@reddit
I know.
splendidvinyl@reddit
If there's a butchers local to you that can help keep your spending down, you can buy what you need rather than a supermarket pack
shark-with-a-horn@reddit
My butchers is way more expensive
Optimal_Collection77@reddit
It's not inaccessible but it does take more work.
Healthy living easier if you have time and money.
shark-with-a-horn@reddit
That's kind of the definition of inaccessible, something doesn't have to be completely impossible to be inaccessible
Familiar-Woodpecker5@reddit
Do you have an air fryer?
eat-real-chips@reddit
I am disabled and I use my PIP money to pay someone who goes to the shops and then comes home and batch cooks for me. Thats the answer here.
Max375623875@reddit
No, also, I think food regulations in the UK are so good, that its hard to truly eat bad.
Most food that is sold in the UK as standard is sold as 'organic' in other countries (like the US) for 5x the price.
web3monk@reddit
I'm not sure the second part is true. We have lower standards than the EU for pesticide levels and such.
Max375623875@reddit
Maybe, but go to America and eat literally anything and you'll see what I mean
web3monk@reddit
Yeah agree on this. America's food is atrocious.
LongBeakedSnipe@reddit
You want some ArTeSan cheese at the quality of Tesco value cheddar?
Urgh
Actually its probably worse than tesco value in many cases
Zounds90@reddit
I've come across this lady's YouTube series a few times and they seem very well planned.
She specifically designs them with disabilities in mind- difficulty standing, chopping etc
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLieCXoR_RXkUw7aRY6pqrHTGiig5iLb5g&si=KRrKai2FD1k_xOBQ
Even_Passenger_3685@reddit
I’ve found the frozen ready meals from Cook to be surprisingly good. They’re not cheap, but they are made from actual food and taste as good as, if not better than home made. Their fish pie is legendary. I’ll have a meal with a handful of frozen veg cooked in the microwave, or some microwave rice. You can get them delivered or from Co-op.
In terms of cost I think it works out reasonable given the quality, and that I feel well after eating them rather than grim as I do after junk food. Cheaper than supermarket’s own “best of” ranges, M&S or (yuck) Charlie Bingham and nicer.
Or frozen jacket potatoes are a lifesaver - they come ready baked, you just microwave them for 5 mins, add in eg cheese and beans and it’s a decent meal. I even buy ready grated cheese now as I’ve no energy any more.
acbirthdays@reddit
Get everything delivered, batch cook easy meals like spag Bol or something, with frozen vegetables, freeze and microwave when you wwant
Azure_727@reddit
This is what I do. I always make more food than I need so I have a portion for lunch the next day plus some to freeze.
IlovemyBudgie@reddit
I think the microwave is more of a friend than you might think. It's not just for ready meals and defrosting.
menthol_patient@reddit
Get a slow cooker. Chop stuff up, drop it in water with some oxo etc. Come back a few hours later and you've got a nice hot stew/soup.
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
No, microwave meals are perfectly healthy
Obviously if you're choosing Greggs and a chicken shop you're not prioritising health because none of those have vegetables.
Just go to the freezer section of a Sainsbury's and buy a bunch of chickpea curries
hoodie92@reddit
For the price of a chicken shop meal you can buy enough veg/grains/pulses/beans to last you for 4 or 5 dinners. Throw it all in a slow cooker and Bob's your uncle.
DinkyPrincess@reddit
Food poverty is very real.
You can make some fairly low effort one pot or pan meals with cheaper ingredients which will give you a lot better nutrition than a sausage roll.
My suggestion would be maybe some batch cooking if your mother or someone else might help? Freeze and you have real convenience foods which a much better for you.
easterbunni@reddit
Frozen veg, chicken, fish, potatoes in an airfryer or veg in a steamer, half hour, bit of oil and salt, pepper, onion, garlic powder. Maybe a bit of gravy... lived on that at uni
AutomaticInitiative@reddit
I hear you. I have ADHD and autism with allergies and I work full time and as a result am usually completely exhausted. Things that have changed the game for me:
a cheap, magnetic rice cooker with a steamer that goes on top - can be less than £20 on Amazon
frozen veg
rotisserie chicken
You can pull meat off the chicken to have with your rice and veg, the meat generally lasts me 3 meals. The scraps of the chicken go into stock, with generally yellow sticker chopped veg. The stock can be frozen, it can make gravy, soup, stew, sauce, can flavour your rice. It's super versatile, does not cost a lot, tastes great, gets you vitamins, and mostly just needs time on the stove.
It is very difficult to eat a varied, vitamin and mineral rich diet inexpensively in this country. Best of luck to you.
("Healthy diet" is marketing speak, they're selling you stuff with it.)
apple_kicks@reddit
Plus one on rice cooker. Time saver and great for hands free cooking.
BalanceConnect2356@reddit
You need an occupational therapy assessment.
apple_kicks@reddit
Slow cooker, rice cooker, air fryer possibly can help you spend less time cooking. Better if you do one big dish on Sunday that gives you leftovers for week. Then use devices to cook up veg or rice
Impossible_Delay1023@reddit
It’s actually cheaper to eat non processed food, my evening meals consist of things like steak, chicken, fish, potatoes, veg. And it’s a lot cheaper than buying pre made meals or pizza for example
AromaticVacation3077@reddit
Eggs eggs eggs! Making a really good French omelette is a skill, but once you've got it (it's not all that hard) you can have a very healthy meal on your plate literally in 3 or 4 minutes. And you can put almost anything in an omelette: wilted greens - frozen peas - fresh herbs - sautéed peppers - chopped up bacon - and of course, cheese. Even just a plain omelette is delicious with a bag of salad.
Fabulous-Part-1125@reddit
I am disabled/chronically ill. I bought one of those 14 in 1 machines. It’s easy to cook different things and easy to clean. I buy frozen veggies, garlic, diced chicken, diced beef and then I buy fresh baby potatoes, microwave rice and also dry rice. I can chuck in rice, stock, meat and veggie, spices ect, and fill it 3/4 of the way and have a meal that will last a few days or I can portion into vacuum seal bags and freeze if I don’t want the same thing everyday till it’s gone. Then bong the insert into the dishwasher with any plates/cutlery I’ve used and it only takes about 15 minutes max putting everything in and dishing it out. I have a perching still in the kitchen so I can sit whilst doing it. If I don’t want rice I put it all on a tray, minus the stock, with some baby potatoes and put it in the cooker for an hour. When veggies are on offer, like after and during Easter. I buy loads and I have my daughter come round and she will peel and put it in the chopper thing I have and then freeze it all in bags. I spend the same amount as I would on frozen veg for the month and end up with double and sometimes triple what I would if I bought it frozen.
AtLeastOneCat@reddit
A lot of people suggesting slow cookers here so I'll add: slow cooker liners are a thing and they have made my life so much easier.
Just lift them out once you've decanted everything and bin them.
I was going to say it's not the most eco friendly option but with the amount of bloody soap and hot water it takes to scrub a slow cooker, it might be better! Either way, it's no worse than the packaging that comes with ready meals etc.
EasyCheesecake1@reddit
Some essential veg are quite cheap if you buy own brand, potatoes, parsnips, mushrooms, and big frozen bags like peas, sweetcorn etc.
SMTRodent@reddit
No, it's not impossible, although it is expensive compared to batch cooking or just being able to go to Lidl, and you can't be picky.
Tinned food with prepared bag salad is my mainstay. Pouch rice-and-beans and a bit of garlic butter makes me feel fed on really bad days. Lots of frozen hot pots, lasagne, etc (and the bagged salad). Tinned olives with garlic in the middle. Tinned anything, there's some weird things in tins and a lot are pretty tasty, just looked down on, but they keep and they're quick and easy to heat up.
I've got a box of tins so it's just finding either frozen veg I fancy (fajita mix, stir fry mix, peas, mixed veg) and heating that and a tin of something, or it's a pie/wrap/whatever from the fridge and that bagged salad (watercress, spinach, rocket, 'crunchy salad').
It's much cheaper than a chicken shop and you can pick up whatever bargains are around for that 'ooh' factor (ready meal or something).
VincentVan_Dough@reddit
I second a slow cooker, instant pot or rice cooker. Go for frozen so you can order a delivery with bigger quantities so the extra cost is less painful. You can also get thing prepped like chopped onions and such to cut down prep time. Literally throw everything into the cooker and turn it on.
dr_wtf@reddit
Instant Pot.
Throw in some rice, water & frozen vegetables. Leave it to cook (takes about 25-30 mins total, which is less than a Deliveroo from McDonalds would take to arrive) and it'll keep warm if you're not ready to eat right away. Can quickly fry some meat, or chuck something in the oven as well. Things like frozen chicken fillets are very low effort (put them in the oven and maybe turn once, but even that's not essential), and they keep in the freezer for ages, so it's always there if you need it. Or nuggets, and get jars of sweet & source sauce etc.
You can also use the slow cooker mode for stews and things like that. Requires a bit more advance planning, but it does mean you're not thinking about cooking at the same time as being hungry or feeling too drained to cook.
sir_are_a_Baboon_too@reddit
Probably getting buried at this rate, but ...Iceland frozen veg, lifesaver for me. £1 to £3 a bag or in deals, usually at least a few hundred grams, and they deliver. Last few evening meals as follows (I didn't eat the whole bag/serving, it's just to give you an idea):
Recently got an air fryer, so I've been having a play about with it. Got bulged disks, and waiting to find out what's wrong with my shoulder. Think I've been using my walking stick "wrong". Plus I'm not really accounting for seasoning and sauces properly here etc... Because I have the big catering jars of it from Costco.
With the meats I take 1 or 2 pieces, handful of veg by eye. Bish bash bosh, pretty healthy dinner. Until I slap sweet chilli sauce or nando's medium on it. Lotta sugar in them sadly.
Then again, I refilled my chest freezer and all my cupboards (they were literally bare), and spent (rounded up to) £536. This will feed me (single man living alone) for MONTHS, with top-ups of cereal, milk, and bread from the milkman (creamline) for around £15-18 a month. The "free delivery over £X.xx spend" has vanished as quickly as the worlds confidence in America to re-open Hormuz. So I did the arguably very stupid and selfish thing of stocking up to the fucken brim.
AtLeastOneCat@reddit
I'm also disabled and the main thing for me is freezer capacity. I have good and bad days so I try to meal prep on the good days with ready to eat portions that I can freeze
When I make, say, a curry, I'll make loads of extra rice and freeze it in single portions.
I also buy pre-prepared frozen veg and even quorn which can be cooked from frozen (the "chicken" fillets are pretty good) so I don't need to worry about defrosting meat in advance.
The problem is that my freezer packed in recently so I need to work on getting a new one. My eating has become very unhealthy in the meantime because I can only make 1-2 days' worth of meals at a time. It made me realise that a big freezer really is vital for those of us with fluctuating conditions.
This is all assuming that you have "good" days.
I also recommend a slow cooker for batch cooking because you do all the prep then you can rest and not worry for a while as it cooks. If yiure someone who's better in the mornings, this can be really helpful.
Short-and-paranoid@reddit
Near me there is a community allotment where people volunteer and we grow food. They have tables where people can sit down and plant seeds which is light work. We get to take food home with us when it grows. If you look online or ask at local community centres, maybe somebody could point you in the right direction. There are also things that can be grown on the windowsill easily at home and really only need water and will keep producing fresh food. It’s really therapeutic.
I eat mostly salads and fruit because I can’t be bothered to cook. Nuts and seeds are more expensive but a good source of nutrition, filling and also require no preparation. These can be added to salads or eaten on their own. A bag would cost as much as a pasty from Greggs and will offer several servings.
Also things like hummus or tinned precooked beans that can be added to meals for easy calories, healthy fats and protein.
Rice is cheap and a good filler, you can cook a lot and if it’s rinsed with cold water to cool immediately will last a few days in the fridge. It’s important to cook it fast to stop bacteria growing on the rice. You can add herbs and spices for flavour so it’s not the same taste every time.
Soups with starchy veg are cheap to make and a bit pot can be made once and then frozen.
I feel so much better when I’m eating right but it can be hard when motivation is low so planning really does help so there’s less prep and washing up to think about.
Violet351@reddit
You can buy lots of frozen vegetables now which are cheaper than the fresh ones. I almost always have frozen peppers because they are a lot cheaper than the fresh ones and often chuck some in a pasta sauce or a chilli for extra veggies. Carrots are always cheap. If you have a slow cooker you could add frozen leek, frozen onion, fresh carrots, potatoes, chicken, stock and some dried herbs and then some peas towards the end. You could user cheaper chicken pieces like thigh or drumsticks. You could also buy a whole chicken, roast it and use it either hot or cold for a few days
ASpookyBitch@reddit
Okay, you’re going to want two things. A rice cooker and a slow cooker.
Batch cooking and portioning out anything soupy - slow cooker. I use a mini blender and just blend till tiny each ingredient, slap it in the slow cooker. So stews, curries, bolognese, enchilada mix. Eaay, safe and lots of wiggle room on timing especially if stuff is done on low heat.
Easy one person portions - rice cooker with a steamer tray. You can shove frozen veggies, even frozen fish in the basket, your rice, grains whatever in the actual bowl. It’ll stop cooking automatically when the rice is done and just keep everything warm. Again, nice and safe and should you have an emergency, it’s not going to start a fire or anything.
Jumpy-Jello-@reddit
It's really hard, and hard to explain to people who don't have very limited energy. I'm finding a soup maker to be really handy.
SpaceTimeCapsule89@reddit
With your condition, the initial difficulties are going to be -
Getting to a cheaper supermarket
Walking around the supermarket
Unloading the shopping upon returning
The solution to this is to continue to get deliveries but adjust what you're buying and how long you have to spend standing to prepare them by doing the following -
Buy a slow cooker so you can put it all in and leave it to rest/sit down
Buy frozen ready diced/chopped vegetables so you don't have to stand preparing and chopping vegetables. Do the same with meat, buy minced beef, ready diced beef, chicken chunks etc. Things you don't have to prepare
Get more fruit intake by buying frozen fruit you can mix into cereal or yogurt or make a smoothie with. Make easy soups in the slow cooker to have for lunch (and it will last for 2 days). For example you could launch frozen onions, ready grated carrots and red split lentils and a couple of stock cubes into the slow cooker to make a lentil soup. Cereal is a good breakfast, stick to cornflakes, wholegrain cereals and weetabix for example instead of sugary cereals. Big pots of yogurt are much cheaper than several smaller yogurts as well.
Keep it simple. Weetabix and a piece of fruit is a healthy breakfast for example that doesn't require much prep. Soups are great for lunch (use the slow cooker then you've got
notouttolunch@reddit
Not at all. When on a budget because I've been between jobs or something, I've eaten fresher and cheaper.
I only eat crap because when I'm going from pillar to post with work and my volunteering, cooking takes a back seat. A good diet gives you energy. It's a vicious circle.
DarkStanley@reddit
Mate first of all get your food delivered. It can’t be cheaper to be getting taxis. They’ll even bring the food to the kitchen or whatever.
Cheap tinned fish like sardines are super cheap. Cooked chicken breasts not super cheap but easy and healthy. Rice, pasta, and some veggies. Get some sauces for it and done nice each and healthy.
NewCrashingRobot@reddit
At Sainsbury's (not the cheapest super market) you can buy:
500g of brown rice - 69p (link 900g of broccoli florets (frozen) - £1.07 (link] 1000g (1kg) carrots - 69p (link) 900g chopped spinach - £1.60 (link) 1000g (1kg) broken red lentils - £2.00 (link) 2000g (2kg) boneless skinless chicken breasts - £12.29 (link) 1000g (1kg) Stamford Street porridge oats - 85p (link) 1000ml (1 litre) UHT milk - 69p (link
So you can get a fairly balanced diet of "healthy" food for a week for less than £20. The challenge is finding the time and energy to make it, and tolerating having the same really really meals every day. Especially if you have a disability or other conditions that prevent you from doing this.
This stuff can all be batch cooked and eaten later in the week. But it is difficult to balance healthy, with both convenience and price.
heliskinki@reddit
The trick is to find an asian minimarket (or similar) in your locale, they normally sell cheap herbs and spices that help transform basic ingredients. Supermarket herbs / spices (especially the ones in the small jars) are an absolute rip off.
MrTubek@reddit
I know it's quite expensive but look into termomix, for 1-2 people will be great. It pretty much does 95% of the cooking. You just have to follow step by step instruction, with very minimal DIY, just chop some bits to smaller pieces or similar
patchworkcat12@reddit
On a budget was literally in the first sentence. A slow cooker might be more appropriate.
MrTubek@reddit
Yes, I know but overall it's very good cooking robot, so it could be their potential buy for the future if they are interested and save up. Doesn't have to be brand new or newest generation neither. But I thought it's worth mentioning as I have it myself and with their condition it would be huge help in general. As I said, it does pretty much everything for you, just have to press next
Natsumi_Kokoro@reddit
Keep doing your supermarket deliveries. You can buy bulk versions of the meze items like the olives that keep in your fridge.
As long as you eat balanced don't beat yourself up too much.
I have a couple of struggle/comfort meals that I rotate. So maybe plan two meals you like and they can be things you go to. Also, meals don't have to look like society expects. So if meze/ picky style works for you do that.
Gentle exercise within the limits of your conditions too and getting a little time outside when you can will help. Indulging in hobbies you love can help energy levels. A little at a time. Chronic illness is no joke and social media does nothing to help you feel better. The lack of visibility of normal people with normal ailments gives a false impression that you are a minority and the truth is so different.
alyaaz@reddit
Frozen fruit and veg is just as nutritious as fresh so i would take advantage of that - so many people have something against frozen but there's no need
my-comp-tips@reddit
One of the simplest meals you can do for yourself is Pasta with some Pesto or other sauces. Fruit is also cheap.
Electrical-Monk-9481@reddit
Some recipes from my widow survival guide. You only need Iceland online shopping a freezer and a microwave. If you have a mini oven like the Tower you can do the pizza recipes. Iceland sells a variety of frozen vegetable bags, country, sweetcorn, peas, peppers. So mix it up or what you prefer.
Vegetable Lasagna Buy a vegetable lasagna and peel back the film. Top with frozen veg and peppers. Put film back, microwave 10min.
Tuna Rice Buy vegetable mw rice and add half can of tuna. Microwave 2mins.
Lettuce Egg Roll Scramble an egg in a bowl and microwave 1min. Open roll and add mayonnaise, deep fill with lettuce plus whatever you like. Add the omeletted egg.
Veg Egg Rice Scramble an egg, mw vegetables and drain the water. mw rice and add the omeletted egg and hot veg.
Potato Microwave a jacket potato, top with butter beans and cheese. Add a side of veg.
Lazy Day Tower oven chips and fish fingers and beans.
Tuna Sweetcorn Pizza Basic cheese pizza, add half can tuna add frozen sweetcorn and tower oven for 12mins.
Veg Pizza The same thing but with vegetables.
So that's the basic idea, Iceland brings the stuff and you combine it in someway and as long it has lots of bright colours and can go in the microwave or tower it's good to go.
longboytheeternal@reddit
Fruits, vegetables and grains etc are all super cheap but they do require effort to make the meals but I promise the more you do it the easier it gets.
I’ve got crippling adhd but once I get into the routine it becomes much easier
AutomaticInitiative@reddit
As someone with crippling ADHD and autism, it's not really comparable to someone with seizures and physical limitations. I date someone with reduced lung capacity who is also in need of a hip replacement and our ability to do stuff is wildly different.
Dismal_Fox_22@reddit
The difference here is these are non epileptic seizures and don’t generally carry a limiting postictal phase. FND is a conversion disorder and the “seizure” activity is a manifestation of anxiety. It’s closer to autism and ADHD than it is epilepsy.
GL17CH3D_R4M_5YN7H@reddit
Just because it's non epileptic doesn't mean the seizures happening aren't incredibly dangerous and disruptive. Still have the chance of smacking your head and dying with PNES.
I have Psychogenic and Epileptic seizures and their after effects differ in severity but they don't just let up and disappear as soon as the seizure activity ends. It'll destroy your wellness either way.
You see a neurologist about the seizures. They're the ones who determine what type it is. There's no psychologist who would be able to accurately define them. It requires an MRI or EEG. Psychs don't know about that.
Do you even know how many types of seizures there are? What are their after effects like? How do they all differ? Are they all convulsive? Or are you here to belittle someone because you don't see their seizures as valid?
Dismal_Fox_22@reddit
I even do! I’m a medical professional who spends a lot of time around epileptic seizures and non-epileptic seizures. I, like all of my colleagues, can tell the difference almost immediately in almost all cases.
It’s funny you say that there’s still a risk of bumping your head because in almost all cases of FND that I’ve seen, the seizure activity has never impaired the patients ability to aim for a soft landing.
AutomaticInitiative@reddit
It's still a limitation that does not exist with ADHD or autism.
longboytheeternal@reddit
As someone with ADHD I admit to not reading things properly haha, my bad. Will delete my comment. I’m not insensitive I’m just a moron
AutomaticInitiative@reddit
Honestly big mood am moron too
The_Death_Flower@reddit
This! I suffered from huge spells of fatigue after I got Covid a few years back, and not being able to stand around to make dinner was a whole different experience to the mental blocks around chores that I get from my autism, they’re both really tough to deal with, but not comparable - like if you risk passing out near sharp objects or hot items, the likelihood of harm isn’t on the same level at all
DrainpipeDreams@reddit
Are you in physical pain from the activity required to prepare and cook food?
longboytheeternal@reddit
No I am a silly fool who can’t read things properly apparently
Obvious-Water569@reddit
No, it’s just a bit more challenging. Cooking different fresh, healthy meals every day may be too expensive and too much effort so you have to embrace one-pot / slow cooker food and batch cooking.
Pre-making batches of a couple of different recipes and freezing them makes mealtimes very, very easy. Just microwave your portion, throw it on the plate with some salad and you’re good to go.
AirconGuyUK@reddit
Fresh produce is extremely cheap in this country. It's very easy to cook healthy for cheap if you're inclined.
ickysock@reddit
you should ask the bright minds over at r/UniUK who claim to be able to healthily feed a family of 4 for under £100 and who get very aggressive if you suggest disbelief at that notion!
deafened_commuter@reddit
There is a factor that decision fatigue comes with feeling exhausted as are craving foods that aren't good for you but your brain needs/thinks it needs in high stress exhausting situations. Being in survival mode isn't a long term plan but it's the state you end up in when exhausted and facing financial hardship and disability. And in the past you literally wouldn't be able to cave and snack like you can now a days.
Slow cookers or meal prep arent the answer for people who are in survival mode. But meal services might be if you can afford it(not hello fresh where you need to prepare it. But good prep or cook kinda thing)
Salad mix with burrata from aldi, bit of balsamic with a load of nuts is a way i found to deal with fat cravings when burning out but also feel good about myself because of the fibre.
Cheaper than that. Veg tray in the oven with whatever you like. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroot, onion is a must of the flavour but can mix it up and add red onion. Add some chicken in there.
I know Ayurvedic diet isn't everyones preference but it help come to terms with that I'm just not a cold granola, yoghurt and salmon with salad kinda person. I need hearty grounding warm moist foods to feel well. I'm just not going to eat like Pitta who are supposedly who everything from the 9-5 to usual healthy meal plans are designed for
HappyCuppiccino@reddit
Eating healthy is a choice even if you’re poor, disabled, or exhausted
spellboundsilk92@reddit
Lots of good advice here so just came to add if you’re looking for recipe inspiration the pinch of nom books are good if you’re on a budget. The bbc good food app also has so many recipes for all budgets.
Vinted is a good place to look for cookbooks!
Odd_Bug_7029@reddit
As someone with ME, I can entirely relate. Tesco do a frozen range of high protein frozen meals, which are a bit healthier than the standard ready meal, they have more veg in to reduce to carb load, I keep several in the freezer for those days. Also look out for Gym Kitchen and Bol when they are on offer.
I keep a bag of frozen red fruit and chuck a handful in a low fat yogurt for a healthy snack, but also have frozen mango or pineapple, just defrost and eat
Altruistic_Dare6085@reddit
I struggle with similar fatigue issues as well as some motor control ones, and as well as the advice mentioned here frozen vegetables are often cheaper than non-frozen pre-cut ones and you can buy them in bulk.
PHWAORx@reddit
As someone with fibromyalgia, PTSD and FND seizures the best investment might be a rice cooker? You can then add a grain, water, frozen pre chopped veg and a tin of beans or lentils in it with whatever spices you want and then just turn it on.
Have you had an occupational health referral? I wouldn't be able to manage without my prescribed perching stool, wrist supports and using pacing techniques. If you haven't I'd tell your GP how you're struggling with daily living and ask for a referral, it's amazing how much simple things can really help.
semicombobulated@reddit
Having a rice cooker really helped me when I was starting to recover from severe depression. You literally just put rice and water in, and the machine cooks it and keeps it warm until you have the energy to eat. Crack an egg into the cooked rice, stir, and you’ve got a simple meal.
PHWAORx@reddit
They're amazing, you can even get ones that double as a slow cooker! Such great energy savers.
midnightpunt@reddit
Pressure cooker will do wonders in this situation imo, makes beans / lentils / veg etc really a lot more possible. Also lentils in a tin / pack are generally cheaper than ready meals & also a lot healthier if not well enough to cook on a given day
Sea-Still5427@reddit
Illness and low energy are bigger barriers than budget, I think.
When I'm having a low patch, I can't be arsed to do much, so I batch cook a soup, stew or Bolognese (pork mince is cheapest) once a week, and I also have a few really quick things I can make easily that help to offset having a bar of chocolate for dinner. For example, 2 eggs (scrambled, poached, fried, or hard boiled on toast - I often boil 6 at the same time so there's always one ready), avocado on toast, porridge, apple/yogurt/granola (greek style yog is a great source of protein), baking potatoes (about 8 mins microwave), hummus with whatever raw veg you like (mushrooms are good), even good bread dipped in olive oil, balsamic and salt, peanut butter, marmite (good for B vits) plus apples, bananas and clementines or what fruit you like. A kilo of chicken legs is £2.25-ish in many supermarkets as they price match Aldi, so one week in three I cook that, debone it and have it as part of a meal or as a snack. Tuna's another good one: £2.49 for four tins, each of which will do two sandwiches or potatoes.
See if you can manage two reasonably healthy meals a day and don't worry about the rest.
scarletOwilde@reddit
No, but it takes work. People who are ill or low energy do struggle.
blahblahblah1234_@reddit
Not at all. You can make loads of healthy dishes for cheap. I can help you with recipes and meal planning if you like, I love cooking.
For example, you can make a veg curry which just requires you opening tins. (At Sainsbury’s, spinach is £1.35, a tin of coconut milk is 85p, a tin of chickpeas is 49p.) The only chopping is onion and garlic, but if you’re struggling with that, if you’re able to get a food chopper that would help. Or you could get them frozen so they would last much longer.
You could also buy soup instead of making them. The soup at Sainsbury’s is really good imo. They’re usually £1.49. You can have that with a sandwich which you can pack with some veg and protein.
Omelettes are great too. You can throw in some spinach and some cheese. If you have the energy to chop up extra things like mushrooms or tomatoes you could do that too. But you can literally throw anything in an omelette.
Sea_Pomegranate8229@reddit
I buy the cheapest mince. Portion it up and freeze it. Shove it in the fridge for the next day. You can boil it if you don't want to stand over it or fry it in its own fat until rendered. Add some frozen veg and a cup of bisto. Put your cheapest pasta on at same time. In 10 minutes you have a decent meal.
Frozen veg is easy, cheap and healthy. Mince spreads out so that you get a little meat in every mouth full.
Avoid pastries and over processed foods. That will help your mood.
Have one treats day a week. Cheese on toast or a pizza for that day - or whatever is naughty but nice.
Cheap granola type cereal - high in fibre and low in fat/calories.
Switch to low fat milk. Better still keep one container and then split your full-fat in two and top up with water to save money.
Down-Right-Mystical@reddit
I'm not sure this is the best place to be asking this. I've scanned quite a few comments and, as I suspected, there are plenty of people who appear to be dismissing or over looking the 'disabled and exhausted' part.
I tick all the boxes you do: disabled with a chronic health condition that includes fatigue, and the exhaustion is real (plus disability benefit is not the payday many seem to think, as you know!) But I'm 'lucky' that I live with my father, and he does a lot of the cooking/shopping. However, he goes away regularly and I house sit for a friend several times a year, so I do have to fend for myself still fairly regularly.
With that context, I have a few questions.
I get that going to somewhere like Lidl or Aldi can seem cheaper than always getting delivery, but have you really looked at what it 'saves', not only in terms of money if you're paying for taxis, but also in terms of time and effort? That's harder to quantify, I know, but I'm thinking if you exhaust yourself going out to get the shopping, you'll be far less inclined, or capable, of making something healthy with it when you get home.
Do you use Tesco and/or sainsbury specifically because they help unload? If not, why them? Sainsbury especially, I always assume they're expensive. Do you have other options?
With regards to cooking options, what would be your go-to meals, in an ideal world? I don't mean what would you would choose in a restaurant, but what you would like to be able to prepare yourself regularly, that you wouldn't get bored of. Perhaps think of a few, and there may be ways to adjust recipes to make it easier?
I know it's not simple, but perhaps we could brainstorm (I laughed when I was talking about not being able to stand to cook and someone at pip just told me to sit down to prep. Like prepping was all there was, and there was no standing at the stove/hob to follow. Also, sit where?! 😂 do honestly, I do know the struggle).
Next, think about the tapas style things your mum bought you. That's not a bad idea to just have in the fridge, in general. I like to have some salad things (lettuce, tomato, cucumber), cheese and ham in the fridge as standard, because it takes seconds to put a kind of basic ploughman's together if I know I need to eat but am not up to preparing a cooked meal.
Finally (for now, I'll probably think of more as soon as I post!) how do you really feel about ready meals? I'm assuming that's what you mean when you mention what your mum bought. I'm interested in your thoughts on that.
Anyway, well done and thanks if you've read all of this, I'm interested in engaging with someone feeling similar to me!
tarpdetarp@reddit
My go to easy meal is some cheap ramen with an egg and some random veg thrown in. Takes about 5 mins to cook on the hob and the flavour they can pack in to some powered seasoning mix is incredible.
spindoctor13@reddit
No, healthy eating in the UK is exceptionally accessible - it's one of the big advantages of being in the UK
RegretEasy8846@reddit
No it’s not, Aldi whole foods are well priced, but generally food is inaccessible to everyone now, cooking it is expensive, getting to the shop and back expensive. Certain things have def gone through the roof though, I struggle to justify the price of fish, it’s basically a rip off.
davus_maximus@reddit
I'd have to say fresh food prices are very good here, even after you factor in a delivery fee. Other countries have a much bigger divide between cheap trash and actual food.
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
I have similar issues and I find frozen, pre chopped veg a lifesaver. Pre- chopped ‘base mix’ for bolognese, pre-chopped leeks for soup. I do still eat fat too much crap because 1) I’m a sugar fiend and 2) sometimes having to both heat something up, and then wash up is too much for me. Plus the fact that stews and soups can’t be eaten with your fingers and in bed…not easily, anyway.
Things like falafel, carrot batons and hummus are useful for quick, healthy finger food. Now I just need to practice what I preach!
Emergency_Pea_2232@reddit
Honestly with a microwave and frozen vegetables you can massively increase your nutritional intake.
There’s also microwave pouches for rice/pulses etc. protein can come from the pulses or you could cook that in the oven, so no standing for long periods.
Ok-Application-8045@reddit
Here are a few suggestions:
- Get a multi-cooker. You can cook things like rice, porridge, stews, steamed veg and it has a timer and keep warm function so that you don't have to watch over them whilst cooking (although don't keep your steamed veg warm for too long, it will be soggy!). I got mine for about £50.
- Use frozen, pre-chopped garlic, onions, chilli, herbs and other veg to save time while you're cooking. Waitrose have some things like sofrito mix, which can help you to make soups really easily (add the sofrito mix, chopped tomatoes, stock cube, herbs and tinned mixed beans and you have a tasty bean soup. You could even make it in the multi-cooker so you don't have to watch it). This type of stuff is not overly expensive, saves you a shitload of chopping time, and it's frozen so you don't tend to waste any of it.
- Packets of pre-cooked rice and lentils are pretty good and are cheap from Lidl. Sometimes you get the Merchant Gourmet ones on special offer from other supermarkets. Fry some garlic and sofrito mix. Add a bit of tomato puree, oregano and a few olives and then a packet of mixed rice and you have a nice olive and tomato rice dish. Can be made in about 15 minutes and it's tasty.
- Bulk buy: get stuff like rice in big bags from the Asian supermarket so that you don't have to go and buy it too often. Get jars of olives and antipasti type stuff from Lidl when they have the Italian or Greek stuff on. Get herbs like oregano and thyme that can be added to a lot of different dishes. Maybe a family member can help you to get your food cupboard stocked up so that you only need a little bit of fresh stuff each week.
- Bulk cook: things like stews, soups, and sauces can be made in large quantities and frozen in single portions. Then you can just defrost when you need them.
Commercial-Name-1853@reddit
Eating healthy is very cheap. I used to be VERY unhealthy and my food shopping was a fortune. Since cleaning up my diet the amount of money saved is next level. I buy meat from my local butcher and fresh fruit and veggies from M&S. That’s it really I don’t snack or eat anything pre prepared. Pre prepared food is very expensive. I learnt how to cook and a slow cooker will be your best friend!
DMBear89@reddit
I always find these healthy eating initiatives the government push to be ill-thought out. Fresh produce is much more expensive than healthy produce, also like OP's situation, some people literally can't afford it. If cheaper, healthier food was more readily available then of course people would eat it, but it's not like that at all.
pullingteeths@reddit
Vegetables, beans and lentils are literally the cheapest food. The issue there is you need to learn how to cook them well and have the time and energy to do it
PartyPoison98@reddit
Fresh, organic, highest quality produce sure.
But frozen veg is incredibly cheap. Not as nice, but does the job just fine. Rice, some frozen veg, and a tin of some sort of beans or peas as protein is dirt cheap and easy, as well as versatile for whatever seasoning you want to add.
nottodayffs@reddit
Fresh Vegetables are usually less than £1, things like tinned beans, chickpeas and even soups are less than £1 or £1 the most expensive things are meat and chicken but you can get really good source of protein and nutrition out of tinned sardines and tinned mackerel which is very cheap.
aembleton@reddit
You can go even cheaper with beans, buying them dry and soaking overnight.
aembleton@reddit
Perhaps they should run the initiatives around Christmas and Easter when fresh veg would struggle to get any cheaper
CookieMagneto@reddit
My go-to meal when I'm exhausted is boiled eggs. Take egg out of fridge, boil, eat with some salt and Lidl knock-off Ryvita crackers or toasted wholemeal bread. Bit of ketchup too if you're feeling saucy. 2 eggs if you're hungry, 3 if you're really hungry. Healthy and takes 5 minutes. Give it a try?
Irrxlevance@reddit
I can’t speak to much on advice but the problem is the UK.
All convenient hot food options are unhealthy, finger foods. In countries across europe, asia, africa, ‘fast food’ and hot meals out/takeaway can still just be normal meals, good salads, meats, eggs, fish without being a fancy restaurant.
UK has a huge lack of that.
I can only think of meal prep services that could potentially serve you better but they are not cheap.
BitGreedy@reddit
Tesco does frozen meat portions like chicken or sausages and fish as well as pre chopped veg. They also do picky bits like olives, hummus etc for I CBA days. Ocado works out better value for fresh fruit and veg though, better quality to begin with and lasts longer so you're not replacing it so much.
Whatiii@reddit
If all 3 and you want a tasty variety of food yes. You won't eat healthily on a budget with minimal meal prep - putting a tray in the oven waiting 20-30 minutes, taking it out onto a plate and eating.
But you can for minimal effort add some things to a beige dinner like that.
Buy a bag of frozen mixed veg - for example Tesco Mixed Vegetables 1Kg - Tesco Groceries .
Go through 1-2 bags of these per person (change the bags for a bit more variety) every week. With every meal microwave 200-300g of these vegetables - put in a bowl, cover with plastic, add a splash of water, microwave for a few minutes - and you have instantly added a few servings of vegetables to every meal.
Even if you change nothing and eat the same everything else, and just have a 200-300g bown of vegetables a day you have eaten healthier. You would put on a little weight (or weight faster) from the extra 100-150 calories
solnyshka@reddit
When I'm exhausted from work I rely on the airfryer, slow cooker, frozen and pre-chopped vegetables, garlic paste, and microwave rice (Tilda micro rice is not as bad or expensive as you'd think).
You can make a pretty decent stir fry adjacent meal with airfried nuggets, frozen vegetables and stir fry sauce over microwaved rice.
Illustrious_Sea7480@reddit
I think it's disingenuous to say it doesn't take either time or money. Having both lots of spare time and lots of money makes most things easier.
It sounds as though any kind of food shopping and preparation would be difficult for you? How is a Greggs pasty easier?
If you tell us the kind of food you enjoy eating (or would like to eat) perhaps we can suggest helpful ideas?
fmeupdad@reddit
There is a difference between nipping 5 minutes down the road to grab a Greggs sausage roll in contrast to walking round the shops for 20 minutes and having to carry 3 heavy bags back home and then also cook for a further 20 minutes, not to mention the Greggs pastries are very cheap
Timely_Ad_125@reddit
I would say eating healthier leaves you feeling way more satiated than crap though. And as a byproduct, eating more well rounded meals doesn’t mean you’re spending on fast food in passing either.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, can be yes, but it’s not necessary.
Would say with a disability I can understand it would be limiting.
fmeupdad@reddit
Of course, I agree. But it’s not as simple as that for those that are disabled. Fast food is convenient and cheap, it’s an endless cycle and inevitably they are going to feel worse for it which in turn results in less energy to cook healthily. Op has a disability so unsure why you are arguing against this when you’ve just agreed it would be limiting in their circumstances.
Timely_Ad_125@reddit
I’m more unsure why you’re claiming I am arguing against them, I am not, and it’s naive of you to make that judge of character against me that I don’t understand their situation. Having a parent suffer from osteoarthritis in their spine from as early as being a child.
Have a nice day you’ve clearly read what I didn’t say and took it to heart.
fmeupdad@reddit
I thought you were the original commenter, that’s my bad.
Doogle300@reddit
Mental health issues can also really stop people from having the bandwidth to do all the necessary steps. Sadly it is a cycle that is easy to get trapped in.
Traditional_Yam3853@reddit
As someone who is a below knee amputee and going treatment for brain cancer, diet has helped me massively. Physically and mentally. So I know where youre coming from with reduced mobility, brain fog/fatigue. Like yourself OP, I'm on a budget and try my best to make my meals from scratch. Min ingredients. Nothing too complex, simple easy meals. Im no chef, I cook for sustenance. The game changer I found was to meal plan. Sunday night I write down my weekly meals, shopping lists, if I am feeling okay I will then meal prep/batch cook so its not overwhelming when it comes to meal time.
WinkyNurdo@reddit
I’ve got a back injury that basically prevents me from standing or walking for long periods of time, and I really struggle with being stood over a hob or kitchen sink, that small angle of leaning over just kills me and I last about ten seconds (I’m doing rehab but it’s slow going).
My solution has been to get food shops delivered once a week, and buy a slow cooker, soup maker and air fryer. Between them I can make cheap meals without having to stand up and over a hob. I sit down at the kitchen table to chop veg and meat, and ping it in whatever machine.
The soup maker in particular has been a revelation; I have some tubs in the freezer for unused ends and bits of veg to make soup with, one for bones to make stock with. I also freeze unused fresh herbs. A carrot, stick of celery, an onion, and whatever you have in the fridge or freezer can go to making almost any soup you want, there are recipes online for anything.
I don’t know how viable any of that is for OP but it’s been my solution. I also eat a lot of tinned fish with pickled veg or kimchi, which can be super cheap and is about as healthy as it gets. FWIW I have ups and downs with anxiety and depression, and sometimes it’s a struggle to stay on top of it, but I personally find it helps to sit there making my own food. It’s like something to aim for and keep the mind occupied. Wish you the best OP.
spicyzsurviving@reddit
Do you have PIP/ adult disability payment? X
GuiltyCredit@reddit
It is definitely more difficult! I suffer from medical issues and some days I physically can't cook. There are always people saying "batch cook, it makes is cheaper and easier during the week" all fair and well but if you aren't feeling great on cooking day you are screwed.
I take the "what can I add to make it healthy" approach. Can only afford a bag of frozen chicken nuggets or have the energy for a sandwich? Add cheap frozen brocolli or protien and fibre rich beans as a side.
LegitimatePieMonster@reddit
If you can, I'd try shopping online at Asda as that might be cheaper. Also look at what offers there are on veg as most supermarkets do a selection of five or six in season veg offers, and sometimes they'redirt cheap. If you're stuck with what to do with them then google recipes.
And just a note on the M&S meals and tapas, these aren't everyday foods that your average or even a marginally comfortable Joe will eat, rather they're luxury items.
But not cooking a full meal every day is absolutely fine so long as you get your food groups in. Look up Girl Dinners and you'll see that it's the go-to for a lot of people.
If you did really enjoy the M&S tapas then have a look at ways to make them at home. You can get cheaper hummus, dips and most supermarkets do a 50p bag of tortilla chips (which imo are way superior to any other chips). Stuffed peppers you can buy cheaper in jars.
And keep an eye out for the flavour of the week at Lidl - for example it's Greek week next week and for £1.49 you can get a jar of olive spread which is amazing and lux tasting thinly spread on toast.
Automatic_Mark_3529@reddit
Can I ask a question? Do you have a carer, and if not, have you spoken to someone about having one?
They can help you with getting the food shopping and other things you struggle with. My friend has FND, as well as a plethora of other issues, and struggles at times himself with what you described. I am his carer, but he is entitled to a proper (through the correct channels) carer, if and when I stop.
It is to help him, not hinder him from his abilities. Some days he can, others he can't...hoovering can tire him out, we live in a small 2 bed bungalow.
The advice others have given, frozen veg, etc is very god. Slow cookers are fantastic as it takes a lot of the issues cooking presents away. Batch looking is good, but it can also be a pain in the ass with prep work if energy levels are an issue.
Look online for people/videos for quick and easy healthy cooking, and upto 2 portions per meal. Amy Doe Cooking has a series of cooking 1-2 portions.
Healthy cooking is what you make it, a lot of recipes can be switched with healthy cooking. Pinterest helps me in this situation. Maybe Simply Cook? It gives portional recipes for 2 people, with recipes lists. Most of it does not give a lot of prep time. You can try them on the days you have energy. Other cooking food delivery services are fine, but pricey. Already packed to give correct portions and calories. They offer dietary ones also.
Probably not much, but I hope some of this and what others have said helps ❤️
Karn1v3rus@reddit
I struggle with shopping too, and have found Gousto to be Incredible. It's as cheap as shopping at Aldi/Lidl and having everything measured out and immediately ready to follow the recipes reduces the difficulties with cooking that come with depression.
I usually select the meals 3 weeks at a time in advance, it gets delivered every Saturday
himit@reddit
as someone who loves to cook, I'm having a think!
Frozen veg is actually very healthy. and it's precut.
Have you ever tried a slow cooker or instant pot? There's quite a range of meals where you can essentially bung it all in a slow cooker, press go, and then a few hours later just boil some pasta or rice to go with. Minimal effort, minimal electric use too, good food once you figure out how to tweak things.
If you don't have one, ask on your local facebook group if anyone's willing to part with one, or see if your council has some kind of food initiative you can reach out to - they may be able to source one for you. A local food team may be able to help with shopping vouchers or delivering some food items to you as well, so it's worth looking into.
Fellowes321@reddit
It’s cheaper to order online than take a taxi.
Alert_Ad_5750@reddit
No, it just requires effort.
faroffland@reddit
I mean yes, cooking takes time, energy and a bit of money to buy ingredients. If you are saying you have none of the three, or only one of the three, then obviously it is going to be hard work or even impossible.
I’m empathetic but there’s really no magic solution. You can buy frozen/tinned ingredients cheap but if you’re then saying you have no time, or don’t have the energy to cook it then… that’s kind of it really. There’s nothing anyone can say to make it happen for you.
It’s like cleaning and a million other life things - if you have don’t have time, energy and/or money to buy the cleaning stuff, it’s not going to get done or done well. You need all three for things to be optimal.
coffeewalnut08@reddit
I just make vegetable sandwiches. Quick and easy and healthy, add plenty of tomatoes and seasoning for strong flavour. Choose healthy wholegrain bread.
Also, lots of plain yoghurt with fruit. Very healthy and filling.
Sugarlips_80@reddit
I make meals that take 10mins to prepare / slow cook then freeze. I do one meal per week on rotation, make 6-8 portions which last me 6 weeks or so.
So i have 6 or 8 core meals i make all of which i can freeze, all use cheap ingredients like veg (fresh or frozen), beans and lentils, minced beef (which bulk out with beans / lentils), chicken (cheaper cuts can be used if breast meat is too expensive), pasta /rice is used to add carbs when putting a meal together.
Other easy reaches are oats to make porridge, bread (kept in the freezer for toast) eggs, beans - all of which makes quick and easy meals.
Pacing is important with fatigue management, so prep can be done at a time of day /day of the week when you feel you have energy. Having a chair or stool in the kitchen can help when you can't stand. Having someone help you, you mentioned your mum bringing M&S food round, could she help you with some food prep? Little actions add up and buying fresh food is almost always cheaper than ordering in.
blondererer@reddit
As others have said, it’s not easy. Sometimes Olio can have some free foods.
I love cooking from scratch but, due to health reasons, I sometimes can’t. I tend to keep soups, frozen leftovers and the odd reduced ready meal for when I really am unable.
When I can do something but not full-on, I use pre-prepped frozen veg (e.g butternut squash, peppers, mushrooms). I also waste less using these.
I have chilli, ginger and garlic pastes in the fridge and lots of herbs. Even popping stock cube in can improve something like plain pasta.
I try to stock up on tinned beans (like kidney), chickpeas and lentils. Lots of chopped tomatoes. Paneer or halloumi for protein. I get meat/fish from the reduced section and freeze it.
oli_ramsay@reddit
No, baking potatoes are about 20p each, brown rice and wholewheat pasta also cheap. Veg is cheap af. Make a batch of something healthy with chicken breast fillets is what I do, like curry for example
MaudLynne@reddit
I had a microwaved jacket potato the other day with beans and cheese, I don’t know why I stopped eating them but it was quick, tasty and easy. This could be a good option for the OP, some nice fillings out there that don’t require much/any prep - tuna mixed with mayo for example.
(And yes I know an oven baked potato with crispy skin is preferable but the microwave version makes up for it for ease)
Niam_Rose@reddit
This lady on TikTok spends less than £25 a week on her food shop, and always eats very healthy and nutritious meals, that are mostly low effort.
https://www.tiktok.com/@thebudgetyears?_r=1&_t=ZN-95N63kQ1vAk
This lady makes easy 5 ingredients recipes with tons and freezer items.
https://www.tiktok.com/@thehumblepescatarian?_r=1&_t=ZN-95N67glGYJ4
This lady does tired girl meals, all easy and relatively cheap.
https://www.tiktok.com/@angiebstudio?_r=1&_t=ZN-95N6CYPAGFq
Try and find a content creator that works with your budget/diet and copy them.
charlytune@reddit
ITT: loads of people ignoring OP's very real health barriers to shopping for and preparing and cooking food, and telling them to stop being lazy. The ableism in this thread is shocking.
cateater@reddit
If you're in England or Wales, look into the government's Meals on wheels programme. You can get lean meals for £5 per meal.
Specialist_Stomach41@reddit
Ocado gives you access to better quality options for not a huge amount more
Diligent_Explorer717@reddit
Vegetables in the UK are dirt cheap
minadequate@reddit
I know you say batch cooking is out of reach but does you mum (or another person similarly emotionally close) live nearby? Do you have many friends?
If you felt able to, I would open up to your friends and family about this and I would ask if instead of a birthday/ Christmas present you’d love if every 3 months (4 times a year) if they came over with ingredients (or you preorder them in) and cook with you. You could ask them to suggest a freezable recipe they’ve made before and enjoyed - this could be bolognaise, curry, whatever. But you need to cook enough for 8 portions.
They need to be onboard with the idea that you will help where you can, but you may just sit in the kitchen and talk to them. It is a social get together where they happen to be cooking you dinners.
These are portioned into freezer bags of one meal of curry sauce etc in each and frozen.
Each person who did this 4 times a year would be making you 32 meals. You could make a little extra and the 2 of you could eat dinner together that night.
If you had 6 friends/family members willing to do this… that would be half your meals cooked.
Yes you would just need to grab a bag at random out of the freezer the (and stick it in the fridge to defrost for tomorrow) then take the bag you’d done the same with the day before, and boil a portion of pasta/rice, or stick a jacket potatoe in the over etc to eat with it if requires.
If 6 people offered to do this you’d have to spend 1 day a fortnight sitting with someone while they cooked. And in return you’d have half as many meals to worry about. The other nights you could have a Greggs whatever.
I also struggle with meal planning but a few years ago my partner and I got one of those delivery boxes every few weeks for a year or so. We rated the recipe cards and now I just have a pile of my favourite. Literally flicking through the pictures each week and grabbing 5 or 6 that I fancy is so much easier than before. If you had frozen meals you take away the decision paralysis… maybe you have 4 options in the freezer that day and that’s it.. easy.
minadequate@reddit
Also consider what tools can make cooking easier. Like if I make a huge batch of soup I put all the ingredients in a food processor/ mini chopper so I don’t have to personally chop everything by hand.
I have a 20 something year old friend who is a wheelchair user and she survives on soup.
(If you’re freezing soup cook it so it’s super thick and then add extra water when you defrost. Then it takes up less space in the freezer).
Annabelle_Sugarsweet@reddit
No, rice, frozen peas, and a tin of tomato’s and sardines all mixed with soy sauce - my go to quick poverty meal
QwenRed@reddit
Its just an excuse we tell ourselves to allow our lazy and unhealthy habbits. Heathy foods are equally affordable and just as accessible in the UK.
Apsalar28@reddit
I'm a very lazy cook.
I'll buy some bags of ready chopped broccoli, carrots, tins of sweet corn, frozen peas etc and throw a selection into a bowl covered in cling film, put it in the microwave for 2 mins and add to a cheap ready meal or something done in the air fryer.
Also very low effort is the air fryer roast dinner for one. Put chicken portion and a load of roughly chopped root veg to air fryer. Cook for 25-30 mins. Remove and eat.
It's not ideal but is cheapish, easy and fairly nutritious.
Nuthatch_@reddit
It might not be within budget but when I put my back out I relied very heavily on 'stocked' they're frozen blocks of food somewhere between a ready meal and batch cooked food. All fresh ingredients and they have recipes to add to them on their website but often I was just having them with pita bread or microwave rice cos I just couldn't move. Cheaper and nicer than ready meals too!
VictoryAppropriate68@reddit
The shop ‘COOK food’ does healthy ready meals. You literally get a box of 14 frozen meals for £6.20 a dish. All frozen so doesn’t go out of date, and easy cook process, they deliver too. There are solutions out there, you sound more like you’re making excuses rather than actually helping yourself
Nuthatch_@reddit
£6.20 per dish is a lot for someone a budget
VictoryAppropriate68@reddit
Greg’s or a chicken shop for dinner will not be ‘budget’ option, I highly doubt they are spending much less than £6 on those daily either
Hookton@reddit
Have you looked into deliveries? As you mention travelling/carrying bags as a major restriction. I don't mean through Deliveroo or Justeat or something, but the supermarket website. They all do it and it's pretty cheap, especially if you're flexible on times.
TheLocalEcho@reddit
Slow cookers and rice cookers are good for people who can’t stand for long. You might be able to get one for free from someone who used it for a bit but has now bought an air fryer and doesn’t have space for all the gadgets. They won’t give you the speed of a microwave meal, but you can put the ingredients in and then rest before coming back to eat. Even split up the task of adding ingredients, as some can go in half way through.
PartyPoison98@reddit
Rice, frozen veg, beans/peas, with some form of seasoning mix. Really easy to put together in some form or another and in bulk. Won't blow your mind but its reasonably tasty enough, and its a good base to start with and experiment with other bits.
BonnieH1@reddit
I wonder if you might try a tall wheeled stool in the kitchen so you don't have to stand. My elderly mother has been using one for years. It makes a big difference. She can wheel herself from one side of the kitchen to the other and use it to prep, cook or clean up.
In terms of what to cook, check out r/eatcheapandhealthy there are good recipes and tips there.
As the healthier options made a difference, IMO you should keep experimenting until you find a way to eat more healthily that works for you and your health conditions.
If you have good or better days each week, you might try cooking a family size portion of a healthy meal and then saving portions for other days. Not full on batch cooking.
I strarted cooking/preparing one soup, one main meal (one pot type) and one meal type salad each week. I don't prepare them all on the same day usually. Depends how much time I have. My husband has chronic health conditions and his ability to eat is unpredictable. We were wasting so much food!
This approach doesn't give me enough meals for the whole week for both of us, but it does give me options to pack my lunch for work and cuts down on waste.
It might give you options too, which are easier to heat up or just eat when you aren't well. Depending on what the main meal is, I sometimes eat them cold, like a pasta or rice based dish.
I hope you find a workable solution so your eating supports your health.
Phoenyx_wilson@reddit
Honestly im in the same boat and its a struggle, its also scary when you have a seizure when your cooking (and on occasion painful). It can be done but you need a freezer. Once a month i mange to do a multi shop day, thankfully I can either do, sainsbury, lidl, aldi and morisons or aldi, b and m, iceland and teacos, or asda, b and m and marks and Spencer.
On thise big shops I focus on food that will last, tinned fruit and veg, meats frozen stuff. I also utalise a slow cooker. I also think about quick meals, I personally am in love with junk food so always have chips in the freezer and have been known on occasion to cook them and throw them on a piece of bread.
If you let me know your favourite things ti eat and things you hate I could try and come up with a simple recipe plan for you (I love making them) as well as let me know your budget.
Roadkill997@reddit
I believe it is easy to eat healthy on a budget - but disability makes everything tricky - especially if you are exhausted.
How about ... a jar of cheap tomato sauce for pasta (or just a tin of chopped tomatoes). Cook the pasta. Meanwhile heat up the sauce, throw in some frozen veg (peas, sweetcorn, bell peppers - whatever you like). Throw in a tin of cheap tuna. Combine. Eat. Maybe sprinkle some cheese (pre-grated if you struggle) on top. If this is just for 1 person you probably only need 1/2 tin of tuna - and 1/2 jar of tomato sauce - or you eat the rest the next day. You could add a sprinkle of herbs or a pinch of chilli to spice it up.
All these ingredients can be got fairly cheap from Tesco etc.
Find some simple recipes that you can manage. Beans on toast (not exactly haute cuisine - but healthier than a Greggs pasty), baked potato with beans / tuna / cheese / cottage cheese / tin of chilli / tin of mince / whatever maybe with some microwaved frozen veg on the side?
Current_Thing2244@reddit
It is hard. I fit that bill too and I just have to spend my energy days shopping for food and getting nothing else done. The major supermarkets are too expensive and poor quality now and I mainly shop at Aldi, who doesn't offer delivery. I wish I could offer you advice but I really just commented to let you know that you're not alone. If you have freezer space, Iceland/Food Warehouse do have a decent range of easy cook stuff and fresh snack type stuff (I don't have freezer space so not an option for me) and they offer home delivery. I think they're getting 😍 expensive now too though.
Jaxxlack@reddit
I believe you can use other companies to deliver your Aldi shop or click and collect if you're able to drive or be driven? Also for freezing stuff you can buy florettes of broccoli. Strawberries( more vitamins than oranges). Smoothie making helps if you need nutritional injections. As in you bung in a load of vitamin fruits n veg n blend. Also Aldi sell actual health smoothies in the juice section.
Current_Thing2244@reddit
None of that is realistic. Check out a few of these third party delivery service and look at the mark up and fees. OP is struggling to actually buy things and hasn't mentioned freezer space, I did. I am not OP. I'm not repeating my comment when it's right there.
Jaxxlack@reddit
Sorry.
Dismal_Fox_22@reddit
I dislike the sanctimonious twat but some of Jamie Oliver’s simple cookbooks are really helpful for easy cheap and healthy meals.
Planning is also really helpful. When I was on a budget I’d look at how I could use larger value packs over a few days.
A big pack of mince is better value so on DAY 1 I’d make spaghetti bolognaise. An onion, a couple of carrots, a few sticks of celery, some tinned tomatoes mince and herbs and it’s done. I’d make more than I needed, adding more carrots and onions to bulk it out. Instead of dicing the veg you can grate it which is easier, or use a veg chopper.
DAY 2 I’d use the leftover portion of spag-Bol, fry off another onions add some chilli, cumin and paprika and throw in a tin of spicy mixed beans mix in the left over from the day before and you get Cheater chilli con carne. Serve with rice.
DAY 3 of throw some chunked up onions, grated carrot and any other veg in the bottom drawer of the fridge into a pot with some stock and a few dried herbs (can be done on a slow cooker or ninja too for less effort). 20 minutes before eating id throw in a tin of kidney beans or a couple of handfuls of dried lentils or pearl barley and have a nice tasty soup.
DAY 4 left over portion of soup cooked down to thicken or with a splash of cornflour plus a protein, top with sliced or mashed potatoes and you have a hotpot or a pie.
I’m not saying I’m a great cook, or it’s the most delicious of menus but it’s generally quite well balanced, doesn’t take a lot of skill and is relatively cheap. It’s just about making a plan.
Most supermarkets will deliver your shopping to the door for less than the cost of a taxi to and from them.
Angryleghairs@reddit
Frozen veg in the microwave works well for me
No-Photograph3463@reddit
It's just a case of having things in the house tbh. Even just some eggs, microwave rice and some frozen veg can be turned into egg fried rice in 10 mins which would be faster than getting to Greggs or ordering from a chicken shop, fast food isn't that fast.
In terms of cooking, you can get pre-prepped frozen veg from most supermarkets that can be used to make a variety of soups, Chillis, Curries, Stews etc it's then just a case of adding protein (chicken or beef) or using tins of things like beans, lentils or chickpeas.
You can then just put them straight in a slow cooker, or just whack them all in a dish and put in the oven for a few hours.
A good place to look for easy meals is Instagram as there are loads of pretty simple recipes that all have videos with the various steps in too.
AerienaFairweather@reddit
Is there anyway you could fit a foldable chair/stool in your kitchen incase you need to sit while cooking? Could make a big difference
Neacag@reddit
I have muscular dystrophy and cant use my hands to prepare a lot of things. Frozen veg is cheaper than fresh and its usually already cut up. I get quorn chicken pieces instead of actual chicken and use it in rice, noodles and pasta. I normally don't like frozen veg but its actually very nice from the airfryer. You can buy an airfryer from Tesco for about £30 and they deliver. I made baked potatoes in it last night that were very good. I put cheese sandwich filler in them. I have a lot of gadgets i use to help me as well like a little food chopper that you pull a string and the blades spin round. That was cheap. It is possible to eat healthier but you just have to think about it.
ember_eb@reddit
I have no experience of disability that (but do have lots of exp with depression and low energy and no motivation) - but I think it's def possible but if you're used to eating quite unhealthy processed meals and takeaways, then you're probably not going to find simple, healthy food that delicious for a while, because you're prob gonna be used to loads of sugar/salts/fats. This happens to me when I just fall off the good-eating wagon for a bit.
Like, I think lemon, garlic, salt and parsley can make most foods fucking delicious. So things like lentils, tinned white beans, chickpeas etc are all so so cheap and require little to no prep. Coat them in lemon, herbs, salt and oil and bang that's delicious. You can then build around it (cheap white frozen fish, chicken, more veg, other flavour items like jarred olives/capers/chillies etc).
Some of the best meals and cuisines come from poor countries. I think look into recipes which revolve around cheap pulses and grains and you can make something really simple, nourishing, and tasty quickly and easily.
masha1901@reddit
I have found Wiltshire Farm Foods great value for money. They deliver and will put it in your freezer if you ask. There's no contract so you order for when you want to.
Otherwise it's a slow cooker, just make sure you have it turned on, because once I didn't and I was rather upset with myself for forgetting to switch it on. I've found that since my husband died I often only have one meal a day because I can't be bothered to have more than one meal.
DuckMagic@reddit
You need to pick up a slow cooker (you can get one from asda for about £25). Taming Twins has lots of really good slow cooker recipes.
I'm somebody who loves cooking, I'll happily stand over a stove for 2 hrs to make a fabulous meal or spend all day baking. I also suffer from PTSD and some other health issues that sometimes make me crash hard and I revert to a child like state where I can't even put together something decent to eat other than gorge on fruit and cake. A slow cooker really helps during weeks like that. I try to get something going first thing in the morning or during my lunch break so I don't have to think about it later/ it's there when I want to binge eat.
LeadershipAble773@reddit
Wonder if you could buy in bulk and batch cook. A load of the prep can be done sitting down (eg peeling and cutting veg), and you could probably put a chair next to the hob and sit down while youre stirring. Id batch cook curry, chilli, fajita mix, lasagne. Most of these require the same basic ingredients so it would be a tonne of prep, but would give you a variety of meals that would last throughout the month or however long. Plus extra for soups. If I were you, id dedicate a day to buying the stuff, another day to prepping the stuff (can leave peeled veg in water in the fridge overnight im sure), then a third day for the cooking. That way you can space it all out. If you live anywhere near me then ill happily come and give you a hand!
WitchyRedhead86@reddit
Buy pre-chopped veg and pre-prepared meat in foil that you can do in the oven or steamers. This has saved me so much energy I don’t have and means I am still getting some protein and greens. Eliminate some of the prep and do what you’re able to do and don’t be too hard on yourself as this is not easy to navigate.
ZookeepergameDue3184@reddit
It's not impossible. It's just a huge learning curve. You need to learn how to cook several healthy meals that you enjoy that aren't too complicated to put together, and you're set. Batch cook proteins and then just decide on the day what sides you want with it. You got this!
External_Science6849@reddit
I have FND too that causes my left leg to go paralysed and a foot drop so I rely heavily on my air fryer and Iceland delivery because I can’t stand for long or walk far (ambulatory wheelchair user). I miss making proper meals from scratch and standing there making stir fry’s but I can do loads with my air fryer and rice cooker, it’s changed my life and just buy loads of frozen meat, veg etc. I also throw things in a slow cooker if I want hearty meals and freeze leftovers. On really bad weeks when I’m low on food shopping or can’t physically cook, I do have to eat cereal or get a takeaway which I buy extra of and freeze for emergencies
Odd_Championship7286@reddit
If you’re poor, disabled and exhausted eating anything anywhere is basically impossible
Leading_Ad1009@reddit
Here are some cheap and easy healthy meals -
Vegetable Lentil Soup + W/wheat Roll Mixed Salad pack + tin of Tuna + Mayo Tin Lentils + Bolognese Sauce + Lentil Pasta Falafel + Salad Leaves + Salad Dressing + Seeds Sweet Potato (cooked in microwave) + Hummus + tin of Mackerel Smoked Salmon + Baby Potatoes (boiled) + Coleslaw
Neat-Cartoonist-9797@reddit
If you like soup you could get a soup maker. Once the outlay for it is done then it will pay for itself and I use a lot of frozen veg in mine so no food waste, just chuck a load of veg in, add a stock cube and boiling water and leave it for 30 mins. Same goes for slow cooker, chuck everything in and leave for 6 hours.
nostalgebra@reddit
Can you not eat fruit and veg at home
Slow cooker and air fryer whack it in and relax
quarky_uk@reddit
Making a healthy meal is always going to be more work than buying cheap crap. You just need to do it.
Andurael@reddit
Yes. If you do not know what a healthy portion size is and you lack time, working it out is incredibly difficult and the only positive pressure will be your own willpower. Everything else, including your own body, will fight against you.
SerendipitousCrow@reddit
I feel you op. I work a stressful job and have autism. It's a hell of a lot easier to chuck some chips and nuggets in the air fryer at the end of a long day.
I'm making an effort with my eating and it's about finding easy wins.
I like a one pot meal I can split into portions. Dhal is a big one. Stir fry can be cheap if egg is the protein and you're using frozen veg. Jacket potato and beans with frozen veg is cheap and easy.
Microwave mexican rice and tinned taco beans is my go to zero effort meal
Also, unsolicited advice have you tried a perch stool? If you can sit to chop or sit to stir a pot it may be easier? I find standing over a pan can feel a lot sometimes and I'd rather bung something in the air fryer and go back to the sofa
dicksinsciencebooks@reddit
Yea and no. I would say I eat healthy and mostly shop cheap, but as a single person I find I don't have the ability to get much variety in my fresh food. Also something I think about is the quality and shelf life of the fresh food. Vegetables that you buy that are getting old (aldi for eg doesn't have the freshest veg compared to m&s) means the nutrients are more depleted (fewer nutrients as the veg sits out). I have friends that have farms that sell their best fresh veg to more expensive supermarkets, and those were from the healthiest soils, which have the most nutrients ofc.
Also, it was much harder when I didn't have a freezer for 2 years... Couldnt freeze anything, but was trying to cook fresh and healthy but at the same time was out working 18 hours a day so that was hard.
secret_tiger101@reddit
Slow cooker + veg = healthy food.
EntertainerAlone1300@reddit
Look up Epicurious Expeditions on YouTube, this is literally her thing. She had amazing recommendations for accessible cooking xx
tinkabellmiggins@reddit
Can i ask where you are based ?
Nandor1262@reddit
It’s harder to do but not inaccessible at all. Vegetables don’t cost much
buginarugsnug@reddit
For the health side, snack on in-season fruits. A lot don't need any preparation beyond washing and are cheap when they're in season. They're not that filling so you might find you want to pair them with some healthy crackers or rice cakes.
Do you have a local butchers accessible to you? All the ones near us do pre-prepared chicken / pork in various sauces that are just a 'shove in the oven' situation and healthier than your average supermarket ready meal. They also do pre-prepared stir-fries with the veg already chopped up and mixed in.
Iscan49er@reddit
Maybe download an app called Olio? Local people collect free leftover food from supermarkets and distribute it to local people who need it. I don't know if there is something like that in your area, but ours is always popping up on Facebook offering all sorts of things. It's totally random of course so you couldn't rely on it, but it could prove a welcome addition.
TheNinjaPixie@reddit
Is there any way your mum could take you shopping once a week if you are having a good day? My friend has FND and when i visit her i like to get her out of the house if she is feeling up to it, for a change of scene and to go to shops she can't go to. Is there a food bank you could visit or a community bus scheme or community driver schedule? I would look into all and any resources based near you that could help you. FND is like the cinderella of chronic conditions, there are also some mentions of this on the MS websites in the UK, if you can, reach out to anything local.
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Order bulk food deliveries rather than physically shopping. Cooking from scratch is far cheaper than ready meals and healthier too.
bars_and_plates@reddit
It's not expensive or difficult but if you have mental or physical health issues that prevent you from cooking for yourself I think that's kind of out of the scope of something we can help with, it's a matter for you and your doctor or anyone who is helping care for you.
Sufficient_Hotel9599@reddit
I always oversimplify it and say it’s like a triad but you can only pick 2
So food can be 1. Cheap 2. Healthy 3. Quick to prepare
In most cases that’s true you can only pick two out the three.
djwillis1121@reddit
I would say that things like bean chili or lentil curry fit into all three of those
Sufficient_Hotel9599@reddit
I should’ve clarified, of the foods I like 😅
Prasiatko@reddit
Lentils with onions and spices was my go to cheap meal when i was a student. In general look to frozen or canned veg for those that go off quickly. Else things like carrots, potatoes and onions are cheap and keep for a while. Beans, lentils and other legumes are protein sources and don't go off. For spices it might be worth checking the Asian shops near you as they often have bulk packs that aren't in supermarkets.
DaVirus@reddit
For anything in life you need to either have time or money.
If you don't have either you are actually fucked.
Maw_153@reddit
I feel like we (and I include myself here) don’t really fully understand what:
Nutrition, protein, balance, healthy
Actually mean when it comes to how to put together our weekly meals and how to cook from scratch.
garlicmayosquad@reddit
Once you learn some simple meals, it's quite easy. For example, nearly all my dinners are based around cabbage. Cabbage is very cheap. Cabbage, onions, garlic, then whatever cheap protein you can find. I have it pretty much every evening.
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