Is it possible to eat for $1-2 a day?
Anyone here doing it? Want to know how to eat for $1-2/day. Thanks.
"It took eight years for DDP Yoga to become an overnight sensation" - Diamond Dallas Page
Is it possible to eat for $1-2 a day?
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- Mar 30th, 2022 12:13 am
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- DiamondDallasPage [OP]
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- hierophant
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I'm sure it's possible. Is it healthy? Probably not. The body needs vitamins and nutrients from a variety of different foods, particularly whole/natural foods.
You don't provide any context but if money is tight, there are number of options to help like food banks and neighbourhood food cupboards, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
You don't provide any context but if money is tight, there are number of options to help like food banks and neighbourhood food cupboards, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
- TheHans
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- Aug 2, 2003
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To some degree, hubby and I are able to do that. At least close to it. It's hard to know exactly because we have our food and non-food groceries together in our totals. We never go out to eat, nor get delivery. Hubby does all the cooking. We make most things from scratch, including yogurt, oat milk, even bread and use the Instant Pot a lot. :-)
The biggest thing though is probably geographical. We live in an agricultural area. In the summer, we've been able to get very cheap or free produce that's discarded by the wholesale agriculturalists. The produce is in fine shape and fresh, but not big enough or too big or looks odd or isn't red enough. Basically the stuff the big chains don't want that ends up as food waste. We get lots of veggies and fruits that we eat the whole summer and get more to freeze so that we have fruit and veggies the whole winter. That's for sure our most significant cost saving.
We don't eat animal products, so meat and dairy products are no issue one way or the other. We still have to buy a number of things at the supermarket -- condiments, legumes, veggies that can't be frozen well or sourced like I mentioned earlier, like potatoes, cukes, lettuce.
The biggest thing though is probably geographical. We live in an agricultural area. In the summer, we've been able to get very cheap or free produce that's discarded by the wholesale agriculturalists. The produce is in fine shape and fresh, but not big enough or too big or looks odd or isn't red enough. Basically the stuff the big chains don't want that ends up as food waste. We get lots of veggies and fruits that we eat the whole summer and get more to freeze so that we have fruit and veggies the whole winter. That's for sure our most significant cost saving.
We don't eat animal products, so meat and dairy products are no issue one way or the other. We still have to buy a number of things at the supermarket -- condiments, legumes, veggies that can't be frozen well or sourced like I mentioned earlier, like potatoes, cukes, lettuce.
If I had more time, I would have written a shorter post
- playnicee1
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- Feb 9, 2012
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Eating for 1-2dollars a day can be done, but add the food bank into it.
Maybe once or twice a month.
Use that pasta or whatever there is to work with to make meals that can last more than one day.
One person can make Tuna helper last two days. If the tuna came from the food bank, then the only cost is $1.69 (approx) for a box of Tuna helper, which might be good for two days.
To help it stretch best into two days, add a can of peas (may have come from the food bank) or a can of mixed vegetables.
Pasta & Pasta sauce can last a few days also.
The idea is to be as creative as you can without getting too sick of the same food every day.
There's even soup or maybe some Macaroni and cheese (not KD, stick with Store Brand to make the dollar stretch further)
Maybe once or twice a month.
Use that pasta or whatever there is to work with to make meals that can last more than one day.
One person can make Tuna helper last two days. If the tuna came from the food bank, then the only cost is $1.69 (approx) for a box of Tuna helper, which might be good for two days.
To help it stretch best into two days, add a can of peas (may have come from the food bank) or a can of mixed vegetables.
Pasta & Pasta sauce can last a few days also.
The idea is to be as creative as you can without getting too sick of the same food every day.
There's even soup or maybe some Macaroni and cheese (not KD, stick with Store Brand to make the dollar stretch further)
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
- UrbanPoet
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- Jan 27, 2004
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$60 per month?
The cheapest protein
Eggs, pork loin.
Cheapest vegetable
Cabbage.
Cheapest fruit.
Apples.
Grains are cheap in general.
So you gotta work around stuff like this to make it through… and supplement with food banks to be honest.
The cheapest protein
Eggs, pork loin.
Cheapest vegetable
Cabbage.
Cheapest fruit.
Apples.
Grains are cheap in general.
So you gotta work around stuff like this to make it through… and supplement with food banks to be honest.
- thriftshopper
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I'd say it is pretty tough at the lower range, even if you got all raw ingredients and made you own food, and in the post above, even if you cut out meat and get free veg. Storage and cooking takes some energy too which usually costs (but cheaper that riving out to buy).
Say, make your own bread (traditional food for the poor).
10 Kg of flour is ~ $8 on sale. I use 250g to make a 1 lb loaf so I can make 40 loafs from 10 Kg so flour cost is $0.20 / 1 lb loaf. Add in 2-3 ¢ for salt and yeast (I don't bread machine so use little of the latter 1/2 tsp / 1 lb loaf) so your daily bread before energy costs is close to $0.25 already. Can get dried beans somewhat cheap for more carbs and protein but energy to cook them (pressure cooker is great)..
Some say 4 oz of meat pp pd is plenty. Pork (whole boneless loin) can be obtained for $2/lb on sale so it you can eat small portions, that is $0.50 per portion before cooking. Chicken drumsticks still go for <$1/lb though there is bone and skin (latter is perfectly edible).
Looks like one has to cut out processor margin which is high to get the best value. Trade-off is energy for processing/cooking.
Say, make your own bread (traditional food for the poor).
10 Kg of flour is ~ $8 on sale. I use 250g to make a 1 lb loaf so I can make 40 loafs from 10 Kg so flour cost is $0.20 / 1 lb loaf. Add in 2-3 ¢ for salt and yeast (I don't bread machine so use little of the latter 1/2 tsp / 1 lb loaf) so your daily bread before energy costs is close to $0.25 already. Can get dried beans somewhat cheap for more carbs and protein but energy to cook them (pressure cooker is great)..
Some say 4 oz of meat pp pd is plenty. Pork (whole boneless loin) can be obtained for $2/lb on sale so it you can eat small portions, that is $0.50 per portion before cooking. Chicken drumsticks still go for <$1/lb though there is bone and skin (latter is perfectly edible).
Looks like one has to cut out processor margin which is high to get the best value. Trade-off is energy for processing/cooking.
I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China
- hierophant
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I would disagree with the blanket statement that cabbage and apples are the cheapest. Prices of fruit and vegetables is dependent on the season (and also other factors such as weather, disease, pest) - this doesn't take into account reduced pricing or sales. No Frills had 5lb of carrots on sale for $3 last week, cheaper than a head of cabbage. Crate of clementines was for $3 not too long ago, which is also cheaper than apples (weight wise).
Key is to know the base prices and buy what's on sale. Most grocery stores have a 'reduced' rack. Buying frozen veggies and fruit may also be a better option depending one's situation.
- WMPCOT
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Impossible unless you use the food bank.
- peli33
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Look around Youtube, people do these eat for 1-2 dollars a day challenges.
- TheHans
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- WMPCOT
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Yet you don't have a total and preface your reply by saying " It's hard to know exactly because we have our food and non-food groceries together in our totals." It is pretty easy to remove those things and get an answer.
As for saying you don't need a food back you are getting produce for free so it is being subsidised just as a food back would.
- TheHans
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LOL, maybe easy for you to figure out. I know how much we spend on groceries per month and as I said, at worst we're close to it. Not only are we not subsidized in any way, but we get more than we need in the summer and give it to the food bank. Food waste is a scourge.WMPCOT wrote: ↑ Yet you don't have a total and preface your reply by saying " It's hard to know exactly because we have our food and non-food groceries together in our totals." It is pretty easy to remove those things and get an answer.
As for saying you don't need a food back you are getting produce for free so it is being subsidised just as a food back would.
If I had more time, I would have written a shorter post
- kimchibowl
- Sr. Member
- Nov 10, 2019
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If you can maintain a self sufficient garden. Difficult year round in Canadian climate.
Summer I grow too much variety of veggies, melons and herbs that I freeze them or give away. I harvest and buy extra seeds for my microgreens farm in my basement that gives me a blast of nutrients more than the average human consumes their total veggies in a week. Not cost free but cheaper than groceries. I think I'd profit if I sell my packs of microgreens too.
Summer I grow too much variety of veggies, melons and herbs that I freeze them or give away. I harvest and buy extra seeds for my microgreens farm in my basement that gives me a blast of nutrients more than the average human consumes their total veggies in a week. Not cost free but cheaper than groceries. I think I'd profit if I sell my packs of microgreens too.
- UrbanPoet
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I don’t disagree. Its just a general guide on the types of “cheap” food out there.hierophant wrote: ↑ I would disagree with the blanket statement that cabbage and apples are the cheapest. Prices of fruit and vegetables is dependent on the season (and also other factors such as weather, disease, pest) - this doesn't take into account reduced pricing or sales. No Frills had 5lb of carrots on sale for $3 last week, cheaper than a head of cabbage. Crate of clementines was for $3 not too long ago, which is also cheaper than apples (weight wise).
Key is to know the base prices and buy what's on sale. Most grocery stores have a 'reduced' rack. Buying frozen veggies and fruit may also be a better option depending one's situation.
- Catnippy
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Pasta - add can of soup (cheaper than pasta sauce)
Rice - add stock cube for taste
Vegetables - stir fry cabbage and onions, boiled or baked carrots, various $2 a bag for 750g Nofrills yellow brand
Eggs
Meat-like products - Can of Spam can be cut into 8 slices, one slice a meal, Nofrills yellow brand chicken burgers less than $1 for one
Drumsticks - $1.29/lb from Asian supermarkets
Canned ham sandwich - can make 4 from 1 Can of Nofrills yellow brand ham $1.99
Sardine sandwich - can make 4 sandwiches from 1 can $1,88
Pickles - 2 bottles of 1L sweet pickles for $4 from Walmart for sandwiches
Beverages - 3 cups of tea from 1 teabag
Yes, I do this quite regularly, and no, I don't go to the food bank.
Rice - add stock cube for taste
Vegetables - stir fry cabbage and onions, boiled or baked carrots, various $2 a bag for 750g Nofrills yellow brand
Eggs
Meat-like products - Can of Spam can be cut into 8 slices, one slice a meal, Nofrills yellow brand chicken burgers less than $1 for one
Drumsticks - $1.29/lb from Asian supermarkets
Canned ham sandwich - can make 4 from 1 Can of Nofrills yellow brand ham $1.99
Sardine sandwich - can make 4 sandwiches from 1 can $1,88
Pickles - 2 bottles of 1L sweet pickles for $4 from Walmart for sandwiches
Beverages - 3 cups of tea from 1 teabag
Yes, I do this quite regularly, and no, I don't go to the food bank.
- thriftshopper
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Should add, it depends on here you are. Impossible (far) up north unless you're allowed to subsistence hunt. Not everyone gets veg for free. If you live in a major produce distribution hub and there are greengrocers who buy point-of-ripeness/rot produce to sell for consumption that very day (or very shortly after), you can get veg quite cheap. Marked down meats too. I'd say over 70% of what meat we consume is marked down and it certainly allow us to eat very, very well for our spending of ~$7 pp pd (yes, considerably higher than $1-2 pp pd): That's pretty much 3 meals a day + snacks on a 2 person basis with food for guest entertainment included though that's probably a wash with reciprocal invites.
Alternative is dumpster dive at grocers. Incredible amount tossed rather than sold cheap (Loblaws is guilty of that).
Alternative is dumpster dive at grocers. Incredible amount tossed rather than sold cheap (Loblaws is guilty of that).
I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China
- DiamondDallasPage [OP]
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- Sep 4, 2016
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Just trying to cut costs more. With inflation, food and diet is the first area I cut costs. Even if I can get it down to $5/day I would be happy.hierophant wrote: ↑ I'm sure it's possible. Is it healthy? Probably not. The body needs vitamins and nutrients from a variety of different foods, particularly whole/natural foods.
You don't provide any context but if money is tight, there are number of options to help like food banks and neighbourhood food cupboards, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
"It took eight years for DDP Yoga to become an overnight sensation" - Diamond Dallas Page
- playnicee1
- Deal Expert
- Feb 9, 2012
- 20236 posts
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If you're over $5 a day you're doing it all wrong.DiamondDallasPage wrote: ↑ Just trying to cut costs more. With inflation, food and diet is the first area I cut costs. Even if I can get it down to $5/day I would be happy.
Go to a food bank and see what they have for you. Work that food into food bought at a grocery store.
Done right, you can make multiple meals and only have to cook once every second or third day, while reheating the other days (or eating cold, if desired)
So far the best recipe seems to be the Tuna Helper with an added can of peas or vegetable mix. (usually that's carrot and peas in a can)
It's easy to get sick of the same thing every day though, so you'll have to change it up a bit and eat pasta or soup or anything of low cost.
Sorry, no steak...unless the food bank, by some miracle has a frozen one for you! lol
Beans & Wieners is also an option. (I add a slice of toast to that, but that's my preference)
ALSO: If you're lucky enough to have a Grocery Outlet in your area, be sure to shop there!
They often have TV dinners for only $1.99 that retail for around $3.99 or so. & Deep discounts on various groceries.
https://thegroceryoutlet.ca/
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
- sponge5307
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sure it can be done. get a bag of cheap potato, some frozen beans. Is it healthy? Most likely not
- Macx2mommy
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$2 a day ($60 month) is difficult, but doable if it's an average (meaning to could bulk buy and flyer shop the best deals) $5 ($150 a month) much easier. Of course you will be doing a lot of cooking from scratch, and some months will be more than for costs, but overall less. Here's a sample of what I would had to minimize food costs. Based on some more recent prices in my area.DiamondDallasPage wrote: ↑ Just trying to cut costs more. With inflation, food and diet is the first area I cut costs. Even if I can get it down to $5/day I would be happy.
Rice - 18 kg bag $21 ~ 240 (75 gr) servings < 0.09 a serving
Flour - 10 kg bag - $7 (used to be able to get it for $6) - <$0.06 a 'meal size' serving' (based on about 80 g flour) you can make bread, tortillas, pasta, baking.
Oats - 2 kg $3 0.05 a serving
Eggs - 12 $3 $0.25 each
Dry beans - 2kg $3 yields about 8 cups cooked beans 16 servings or $0.2 a serving
Potatoes - 20lb for $7 (50 generous servings) $0.14
Carrots, beets, onions - 10 lb for $5 $0.17 serving (save peelings and scraps for broth)
Whole chicken - $2 lb or ~$8 a chicken (could buy a costco over night chicken for $6) - yields about 8 servings plus bone broth
Dairy - this one is tough yogurt 4/$1 .25 or milk about $5 for 4 liters $.32 a serving. You could do dried milk, but it's not much cheaper, and my family won't drink it unless its for hot chocolate or something.
Fruit - bananas, apples, oranges, $0.30 a serving based on buying at a discount grocer or close to be eaten quickly. I picked up a case of strawberries (12 pounds) for $5 the other day
A sample day could look like:
Grains (No shortage here) for 4-6 servings (some of my servings were larger) - oatmeal 0.05, baked bread or something with that flour .06, rice .09 potatoes 0.14 = $0.34 average
Veggies - 4 at 0.14 = 0.56
Fruit - 1 @ .30
Protein (3) Beans 0.2, egg (2) @.25 .5, chicken (only once every couple of days) .75/2 = 1.08
My tight meal plan would be on average 2.28 a day. You would also get a few few meals of soup for your last two days, which make the total between $60-70 a month
I did not include salt, pepper, oil or seasoning because you could get creative with that.
For my fruits and veggies I am in a community good food box which give me about 40lbs of produce once a month for $35. That would cover a single person for the whole month.
If you are doing a $1 a day, you are pretty much only eating beans and rice.
On a 'smart' device that isn't always so smart. So please forgive the autocorrects and typos. If it bothers you, then don't read my posts, but don't waste my time correcting me. If you can get past the typos, then my posts generally have some value.
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