Struggling to find healthy sustainable recipes/foods.

[Kamran]

So, I'd moved out like 3 months ago, and started living here in a different city close to my Uni. I still don't earn anything and I kinda have this weird hesitation when it comes to asking for money from my parents so I try not to spend too much.
 

Anyway, I've been struggling to find a couple of healthy, easy to make and quick to make dishes (that require no oven or microwave) that I can cook and eat on a daily basis and get all the essential nutrients, without spending 2 hours in preparation or spending a shit ton of money buying all the expensive ingredients.

I can't cook chicken everyday because it takes some time to clean it all up and cook and it also gets kinda expensive in the long run... Also where I live, idk where to buy fish. So I don't know where I'm gonna get my protein from (probably eggs and milk?)

I can't think of anything that isn't dominated by carbs.

Any suggestions?

[JohnnyAb]

1 hour ago, Kamran said:

probably eggs and milk?

Diary isn't the best protein source. 

1 hour ago, Michael569 said:

DO you have a large pot and a place to refrigerate your food? What sort of facilities do you have available? What's your weekly food budget? 

That.

And also chicken breast or thighs might be your best cheap proteins options. I eat around 400g of meat per day (3x 130g) and lean beef together with chicken breasts are my staples if I don't feel like cooking too much; and it's like 2,5 quid a day. I'm also on a caloric deficit so I'm avoiding fatty meats for another 4 weeks 

Peanut butter, different nuts, various seeds, oatmeal, eggs, beans, lentils are all good and affordable sources of proteins if you don't want to focus on meat or fish that much. I don't know where you live but you can probably find some protein rich lean white cheese as well.

Edited February 5, 2021 by JohnnyAb

[JohnnyAb]

43 minutes ago, modmyth said:

@Kamran  Do you have access to any appliances at all? (Also the question about the fridge)

(Sorry. )

? Well it's not the best protein source, is it?

[mandyjw]

@Kamran Can you get canned foods? They aren't the best for you, but are good in a pinch. Canned sardines, canned wild caught salmon ( limit these, cause mercury), canned beans, canned lentils, canned soups, canned vegetables, etc. 

 

 

[Kamran]

@Michael569  I have a pressure cooker(stove top), A slightly curved "skillet" (idk what I'd call it, it's an Indian thing - it's basically for making tortillas), a wok, two aluminum pots, and I have rice, lentils, veggies, spices, pasta seasoning, pasta, soya chunks... you get the idea
I don't have a fridge tho 

[Kamran]

7 hours ago, mandyjw said:

@Kamran Can you get canned foods? They aren't the best for you, but are good in a pinch. Canned sardines, canned wild caught salmon ( limit these, cause mercury), canned beans, canned lentils, canned soups, canned vegetables, etc. 

 

 

I don't really trust the canned stuff, idk. Not in India at least. As for soup I don't really need the canned stuff, I can make it on my own.

As for vegetables and lentils, I can buy them from the market. dry beans and lentils and fresh vegetables.

Edited February 6, 2021 by Kamran

[Kamran]

7 hours ago, JohnnyAb said:

? Well it's not the best protein source, is it?

I have access to fresh cow milk, idk if that changes anything...

[Kamran]

@Michael569  That's actually amazing, I never really thought about it that way. Thank you so much!!
I've also noticed that I'm getting better at just improvising and I feel like I should focus on learning more meta skills than specific recipes. 

I do have a top shelf and some space under the countertop for storage.