Balanced diets that consist of mainly staple foods?

September 27, 2005 1:56 PM

Balanced diets that consist of mainly staple foods?

My interest is in eating on the cheap yet maintaining a balanced diet. I understand Asian cultures for example eat mostly rice. Can anyone point me in the right direction with advice or links?

posted by who else to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

I think the trick may be to stick to one general tradition, then branch out with the ingredients when you can. I survived a very poverty-sticken winter in Italy by consistently stocking up on pasta, canned tomato puree, olive oil, parmesan, garlic, onions, arborio rice, thyme, butter, and salt and pepper. With that, you can throw together a very cheap, very basic meal. You can then add in other ingredients as your budget allows -- buy vegetables to add to the pasta sauce or risotto, grab a chicken breast and sautee it with some lemon, add a side salad or steamed vegetables. Because you're sticking with one basic set of ingredients and spices, you're not constantly having to buy exotic ingredients.
posted by occhiblu at 2:27 PM on September 27, 2005

Sometimes I saute an onion then add a can of spinach and a can of chopped tomatos, salt and pepper and just serve it with basmati rice.

Lentil soup is really cheap.

You can make chicken noodle soup without chicken. I do it all the time. Just saute an onion, some celery, and a parsnip then add water and chicken bullion and a bunch of chopped parsley or dill. When it boils throw in some orzo or other small pasta (less than you think, just a cup or so for a big pot), and squeeze some lime juice over it before you serve it.
posted by leapingsheep at 3:49 PM on September 27, 2005

Oh, and if you have Indian grocery stores near you, you can get ginormous sacks of rice and lentils super cheap.
posted by leapingsheep at 4:03 PM on September 27, 2005

Response by poster: What about rice diets and the like from a nutritional standpoint?
posted by who else at 4:15 PM on September 27, 2005

I'm no nutritionist but as a Mexican and ex-vegan, I can attest that rice and beans are excellent things to live on. Just try to get some vegetables every once in a while.
posted by Juliet Banana at 4:29 PM on September 27, 2005

Asian cultures don't eat "mostly rice." Rice is a major staple, so it will be eaten with just about every meal -- but so will other foods, including various meats, vegetables and sauces.

Eating just rice would not get you all the nutrients you need.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 4:29 PM on September 27, 2005

Potatoes are almost a perfect food.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 4:51 PM on September 27, 2005

I forget the details, but there are farm programs which involve a set payment each month or year, and you get a share of the grown crops. I do remember it was a fairly nice deal if you're willing to make use of fresh food.

As for rice, it is to many Asian nations what bread is to many Western nations. You can use it with all sorts of meals, but rarely as a meal in itself.

As a college student, I have a love-hate relationship with ramen noodles. They're the polar opposite of nutritional, but they're filling and incredibly cheap. I opt for imported Korean noodles most often. Ramen or udon style, often twice as large as grocery store 6-for-a-dollar type, and with a great variety of flavors and spices. Of course, they're 50-75 cents a pop, but that's still far from expensive.

Regarding meat, consider bulk purchases and freezing it. Other than that, you're at the whims of local sales.
posted by Saydur at 4:58 PM on September 27, 2005

Response by poster: A perfect food... If, memory serves me correctly... /missed the potato battle last night.

Yes this is what I was after. I had a feeling that certain staples were more than just a 'great side dish!' and could almost completely sustain you. I remember watching the samurai camping out cooking nothing but a big pot of rice in a Kurosawa film and stroking my chin...
posted by who else at 5:02 PM on September 27, 2005

lentils+rice
posted by sid at 5:49 PM on September 27, 2005

Most public health departments, dieticians' associations and food banks could help you out. For example:

Thrifty eating
Making the Most of Your Food Dollars
posted by acoutu at 7:43 PM on September 27, 2005

Quinoa is pretty cheap, a complete protein source, and tasty. Trader Joe's has it.
posted by euphorb at 9:31 PM on September 27, 2005