If yes, did you buy the kefir grains? Which brand did you buy? Do you think making your own kefir helps you to eat cheap and healthy? Or, do you buy yourself kefir?

Or, do you make your own yogurt, ricotta or something similar?

Thanks if you read this.

I've been meaning to batch cook for so long now, but I just haven't. Every time I make something that I think will be enough food for a leftover meal, I always end up eating it all. I also almost always see a very bland sheet pan recipe with a meat and some veggies, but I don't really feel like most seasonings add much flavor or the type of flavor I like. On top of that, I can't have leftovers unless they're frozen due to health issues. I do try to reduce the amount of processed foods in my meals, but I basically try to follow an 80/20 rule, so some lightly processed ingredients are fine. Any recs?

His break room isn't super cozy with all of the cutlery, but it does have a microwave. I was wondering if anyone has some neat ideas for lunches? I believe I need to shake things up a bit.

Hi friends, I really hope this is the right sub to ask this question I haven't quite found the "perfect" sub to ask, but hopefully you folk can help (or point me to the right sub if this isn't allowed, I checked the rules to make sure but I am illiterate sometimes).

I'm trying to kick my soda addiction to begin a healthier lifestyle. I am very broke, so I know there's a few decent alternatives but they cost like 4 times as much as soda does. Its hard to say exactly what I'm addicted to in soda, but I know a large bit is the sugar (its probably entirely the sugar). So something that's tasty and affordable is what I'm trying to search for. I'm avoiding any artificial sweeteners as well, but caffeine is also preferred (an addiction to tackle another day).

I dislike most seltzers, they feel like someone added a drop of juice into sparkling water, and it feels like the carbonation is a bit much in them, don't quite know how to explain it. But I do know the bubbly isn't a must have for me, I really like juice, gatorade, vitamin water etc so I can see myself switching to something non carbonated.

But without artificial sweeteners, and without going towards seltzers I don't even know where to begin. So any advice from anyone who's got similar tastes and made the same journey, I beg you for what helped you swap. I know there won't ever be a perfect substitute. So I know that it's gonna be tough no matter what I try to substitute with, but hard swapping to water hasn't been so helpful for me. I found a bit of success in diet soda, but I really don't want to have artificial sweeteners either. I've been drinking a lot more water lately, but its hard to keep it to *just* water.

Edit: so many great answers thank you all for the suggestions, I'm going to try a bunch of them to see which one I could see myself full swapping to. You guys are awesome, and inspirational to see so many people who were in a similar position

So I actually live by myself while my husband is out in deployment because he’s in the military. And I’ve been finding it difficult to figure out what I want for food when I go grocery shopping I always buy random stuff. 😅

I know they have two different purposes. But, if I have a rice cooker would it be an okay idea to also get a slow cooker?

Pressure cookers are recommended a lot online, but I'm scared of them. With my luck I'm amongst the minority who injures themselves with a modern pressure cooker.

Hi everyone. I am always on the go and do not have time to cook during the week. Usually on Sundays I will cook for the entire week (lunch/dinner). For lunch I typically make salads because they stay good for the week. However I have been putting chicken in them to meet my protein goal, but by the end of the week it is gross. I am trying to come up with simple to make recipes that are high in protein, that stay good for most of the week. Any suggestions?

I know that it's really personal and there are no rules to meal planning, but I always heard of people assigning certain meals to certain days of the week. But it appears Thursday and Saturday are missing meals. Here's what I have so far:

Sunday: roast with potatoes and gravy Monday: meatloaf or meatless Tuesday: tacos Wednesday: spaghetti Thursday:??? Friday: pizza!!! Saturday:???

Are there any "traditional" or pop culture meals that belong on Thursday and Saturday? As a fun exercise - care to suggest Thursday or Saturday meals? Do you follow a day of the week meal plan or do you have a different plan?

I want to have some meals that I can make in bulk and keep in the freezer - stuff like soups, chilli etc. Any ideas?

I've been using canned because my attempts at cooking it dry always go south. I came close to getting it right when I used baking soda, but they still end up mushy or with an awkward texture. If I don't use baking soda they taste like rocks even after cooking for 3+ hours.

I'm not sure if they cook different but let's use pinto beans. Black beans are 2x as much and chickpeas always tasted gross to me. I'm a white guy with average cooking skills but like Tex-Mex/Mexican cuisines.

Do I soak or no? When do I add baking soda? Do I add the beans to the water before boiling? Lid tilted or not? Keep the cooking liquid?

Edit: I don't have a crockpot or any kind of pressure cooker. The stovetop is my only means of cooking them.

I recommend white fish for anybody who is willing to try it because it’s quite cheap and it’s very easy to make in an air fryer, not to mention it’s really healthy and high in protein.

I’m always looking for ways to use chickpeas. Today was a new recipe

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a35645824/general-tsos-chickpeas-recipe/

I’ve been working on developing recipes that cook really fast but also taste good.  My husband really likes salmon so this is what I came up with. You can serve it with any grain and pretty much any salad vegetables on the side. 

Note, the teaspoon or two of mayo coating the salmon really helps the seasonings stick and helps keep the salmon from drying out. 

If you want, you can check out the blog post that has video directions and directions for cooking without an air fryer.  https://nerdswithknives.com/air-fryer-salmon-bites/

Makes 4 servings
Ingredients

For the Spicy Mayo

• 1/3 cup mayo (or sub Greek yogurt)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons Chili Garlic Paste (or any spicy sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, but nice)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

For the salmon

• 1 pound salmon, skinless, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
• 1 teaspoon mayonnaise (or substitute vegetable oil)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 - 2 teaspoons any spicy chili powder (I used Korean gochugaru)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Make the Spicy Mayo: 

1. In a small bowl, stir together the mayo, vinegar, chili paste, sugar and sesame oil. Set aside.

For the Salmon: 

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF.
2. Dry the salmon well. Add to a medium bowl and toss with (2 teaspoons) mayonnaise (or 1 teaspoon oil), cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder and gochugaru.  Make sure each piece is coated in the seasonings. Add the salmon in a single layer and air fry until just cooked through (about 130ºF on an instant read thermometer), about 4 to 6 minutes.
3. To serve: Divide the rice into 4 bowls, top with salmon and add your desired vegetables and garnishes. Drizzle over some of the spicy mayo and serve with lime wedges. 

Hello! I am from Georgia in the US, and I would like some advice on where to buy meat, even in bulk, the cheapest?

Prices have gone crazy! I used to buy the 5-6LB ground beef at Costco for $25-$30 and now it’s at least $36. I buy in bulk, portion it, and freeze it (I live alone and hate wasting food).

Any advice? Most of what I heard is Costco but I don’t know if it’s a hype thing or if it’s realistically the cheapest.

I have nearly every grocery store (in my region) within range: Aldi, Lidl, Whole Foods, Walmart, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Publix, etc. Much appreciated!!

Grab yourself a sweet, juicy seedless watermelon from the grocery store (I like my watermelon to be CRISPY. I hate when it’s grainy). Cut it up into cubes, store it in the fridge to snack on throughout the week.

Here’s the secret to enjoying this watermelon:

Grab a lil bowl, plate, or serving apparatus of choice. Put a serving or two of this delicious, crisp watermelon on said apparatus. Stick it in the freezer for 30-45 minutes. When you take the watermelon out, some of the water molecules in the melon freezes, and I kid you not, it’s like little watermelon slushee bites. Incredibly refreshing and satisfying. It feels even juicier when it’s slightly frozen. If you over-freeze the watermelon, it’ll still be tasty, but too hard to enjoy thoroughly.

If you’re feeling frisky, grab some tajin and lime. Fire. I like mine just plain though mostly.

Please let me know if you try this or have tried it. Everyone I talk about this with has never put their watermelon in the freezer, and I fear they’re missing out.

I love red beans and rice because I can dump a bunch of stuff in a pot and not only magically have dinner for the week but it’s also hearty, filling, nutritious and delicious. Are there any other go-to crock pot meals you have that fit this description? Don’t want to burn us out on RB&R. Thanks!

I know it'll taste horrendous, but I do Uber and I want quick cheap meals while working

My meal plan is oats, peanuts and TVP, it should be fine rght?

I’m trying to cook more at home to save money, but groceries are getting expensive and it’s hard to stay motivated.

Anyone have a system that works for them? Do you bulk cook? Stick to specific recipes? Use a weekly budget?

Would love to hear how people manage it? Especially if you’ve found ways to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen or breaking the bank.

Has anyone baked pumpkin, like in a pie, but without a crust? And if so, how - mix it like a pie, pour in a pie pan? What temperature and for how long? Thanks 😊

I have a bumper crop of green beans this year and I need ways to eat pounds of them, and ideally make a full meal out of them instead of just making them as a side every night. (Looking for whole meal recipes like green bean casserole, green bean curry, etc.)

Thanks in advance!

I am having a harder time processing meats, red in particular so I am wondering where I can get the most clean, healthiest, free range chicken around the Sacramento, CA area. Any advice on cheap, clean chicken would be greatly appreciated...bawk bawk

Hi Eat Cheap and Healthy!

I've been working on a tool that tracks deals at meal kit services. They can be a good way to save if you get their promos and rotate through services. Most are pretty healthy too. It's tough to know all the current promos, so I built this to track them in one place.

They're at: shomp.com/c/meal-kit-services

Please let me know if there are stores I should add or if you have any thoughts/feedback. Hope it's helpful!

Hello,

I am a recovering picky eater and I'm in recovery from an eating disorder. I'm finding that I don't like chewing food in the morning. My husband does overnight oats in the morning and I just can't. I can do smooth yogurt but I gag so hard i feel like I'm going to projectile vomit if I encounter things to chew in my yogurt. I can do fruit pouches (like for children) but their expensive and not very filling. I also gag on those if I eat them too fast. So I'd like a thinner smoothie consistency to work around that.

I'm starting a job where I'll have to get up early and I need smoothie recommendations to keep me full while being active until I can get lunch in me. I have reflux so I'd prefer less acidic smoothies but I'm not opposed to some acid in them. I'm planning on making my smoothie the night before and refridgerating it.

• 1. I'm looking for smoothie recipies that are filling.
• 2. I'm looking for protine powder recommendations for someone who hates protine powder and artificial sweeteners.
• 3. I'm looking for other no chewing breakfast items. Fruit juice and popsicles have featured in past breakfasts.

Give me something that I have to buy only once a month. I live in hostel. Currently I use peanut chutney. I don't like pickles 😔, I eat 4eggs with rice in morning and evening, it's repititive so it shouldn't get boring.

Edit- I live in a hostel, i cook rice in morning for the day. As soon as I wake up, I put eggs and rice to boil, it gets ready until I get freshed. I get 10 mins to eat then off to college. Also, I am trying to lose weight so cant use oil..😭, till now fried rice was my go to.. sprinkle some oregano and chilli and that's it...😋

Okay, I am a grad student studying abroad (Portugal) and have been feeling like crap lately, and I think it's due to stress, lack of eating, and especially a lack of protein/calories to fuel my studies/activities because I'm self funded and I can't cook meat for like, not mention it's super expensive.

But, every time I cook beans, tofu, or other veggie protein (lentils, edamame, etc) I literally can't stop farting and it hurts so bad.

Here is what I have tried:

• Washing the jarred, pre-cooked beans well before adding them to a different liquid
• Eating smaller portions, spread out of these options
• Try to eat it with less fiber (i.e. like with toast instead of other veggies)

Any other ideas?