How to get my calories without going broke? (inexpensive, boil, ears)
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As others have mentioned, purchase a hotplate so you can cook one pot meals. For safety, I would advise an induction burner, which is not too expensive at $70.
Electrical resistance hot plates are $20-$30, so if money is really tight for you, that is a viable option, you just have to make sure you take some precautions about not burning things.
Purchase two cooking pots. One is a frying pan, the other a small pot. With those you can cook almost anything.
Food banks serve anybody. No means testing is necessary. They will probably give you virtually unlimited amounts of onions, potatoes and rice, smaller amounts of other stuff.
A one pot meal can be a rice & bean chili, soup, pasta or many other things. Grilled cheese. Stir fry with rice. Pan fried meats if your budget covers it. With a bit of practice and a cast iron pot, you can make some pan breads. If you aren't picky and ok with some repetitive meals, you will be able to feed yourself quite cheaply.
You can spice things up for a very small investment. Most supermarkets sell spices in plastic bags for much, much less than bottled versions. If you have a mexican, indian, or similar grocery store near you, you will find some great deals there.
Last edited by fishbrains; 12-15-2020 at 12:03 PM..
Rent a room where you CAN cook.
Ideally with someone who also LIKES to cook.
Plan menu's and shopping together.
SAVE lot's and lot's of money.
Maybe even find other benefits of sharing.
Most things store bought are going to be cheaper than eating takeout every day.
I'm not sure why you can't get a little burner or a microwave or something. Peanut Butter seems to be the easiest and cheapest thing to eat that will get you a lot of calories without killing you tomorrow. Instead of peanut butter and jelly, you might try peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Bananas are pretty cheap and a good source of calories. Adding chia seeds to anything adds in some healthy calories. If you had a blender you could do bananas, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and peanut butter for a calorie-packed, yet healthy, smoothie.
Canned tuna, sardines, oysters with crackers are a good option if you can eat outside.
I would suggest avocados, nuts, and some other healthy options that are still loaded with calories, but sometimes those can be expensive depending on local prices. Still cheaper than takeout though.
Buy a used microwave oven. You can find them for $10-15 dollars at garage sales. They are acceptable at many places (like elderly housing) that ban other cooking appliances because they are safe.
Btw: I wonder what it feels like to need to gain weight?
As others have mentioned, purchase a hotplate so you can cook one pot meals. For safety, I would advise an induction burner, which is not too expensive at $70.
Electrical resistance hot plates are $20-$30, so if money is really tight for you, that is a viable option, you just have to make sure you take some precautions about not burning things.
Purchase two cooking pots. One is a frying pan, the other a small pot. With those you can cook almost anything.
Food banks serve anybody. No means testing is necessary. They will probably give you virtually unlimited amounts of onions, potatoes and rice, smaller amounts of other stuff.
A one pot meal can be a rice & bean chili, soup, pasta or many other things. Grilled cheese. Stir fry with rice. Pan fried meats if your budget covers it. With a bit of practice and a cast iron pot, you can make some pan breads. If you aren't picky and ok with some repetitive meals, you will be able to feed yourself quite cheaply.
You can spice things up for a very small investment. Most supermarkets sell spices in plastic bags for much, much less than bottled versions. If you have a mexican, indian, or similar grocery store near you, you will find some great deals there.
If you get an induction cooktop, you will need to get compatible pans. Anything that a magnet will stick to, will work on an induction cooktop. I have one, it cooks things super fast, so start off on a low heat.
If you get an ordinary electric hotplate, any pan will work. Check out the thrift stores for cheap pans. & dollar tree for a spatula & large spoon. Paper plates.
If you get an induction cooktop, you will need to get compatible pans. Anything that a magnet will stick to, will owrk on an induction cooktop. I have one, it cooks things super fast, so start off on a low heat.
If you get an ordinary electric hotplate, any pan will work. Check out the thrift stores for cheap pans. & dollar tree for a spatula & large spoon. Paper plates.
Great point.
No glass pans, no aluminum pans. Cast iron or steel will work.
Induction does limit your options on cookware, but the ease of use, rapid heating, and lack of hot elements makes it the best option for a limited, single-room cooking space.
If OP is renting a room it is very possible that his lease forbids cooking in the room.
If you would tell us what you are allowed to have in the room, it would help. If you can have a tiny apartment refrigerator that would make a huge difference. They are quite small, quite inexpensive, and they will keep a small amount of food properly cooled.
If you can't cook, then get a good quality multi-vitamin and take those as directed to help balance your diet.
If you need to gain weight, you need protein to put on muscle instead of flabby fat. Things with protein that aren't too expensive (relatively speaking):
Cheese and crackers. Get cheese in blocks so it is less expensive. Buy good crackers and get a variety of them so you aren't always eating the same thing. Canned tuna also goes with those crackers. Canned salmon, if you like it (bletch). Canned salmon filets are not too bad, although a bit expensive.
Canned chili can be eaten cold, right out of the can and it tastes good and contains good protein.
If there is a supermarket with a deli, buy sliced turkey and a nice quality roll and make yourself a turkey sandwich.
7-11 used to sell a chili cheese dog that was cheap and had good protein and good taste, and it's junk food, but not any worse than any other prepared food (I don't know if they still sell those).
If you can get that little refrigerator, or an ice chest, buy whole milk and eat cereal and milk. Put a sliced banana on your cereal.
Last edited by oregonwoodsmoke; 12-15-2020 at 03:41 PM..
In another post, you say, you work at Safeway. bring home some of the fried chicken & other hot items. It is good the next day, cold too, get a cooler & bring ice home from Safeway too. You have access to lots of food there. Deli potato salad etc.
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