How to meal prep on a strict ₹100/day food budget?

Question

How can you meal prep on a strict ₹100/day food budget? Discover extreme budget-friendly recipes and planning strategies.

Answer 1

Meal prepping on a ₹100/day budget requires careful planning, focusing on affordable staples like lentils, rice, seasonal vegetables, and strategic bulk buying. Prioritize cooking at home and minimizing processed foods.

Detailed Explanation:

Meal prepping on a tight budget is entirely possible with the right approach. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Plan Your Meals: Before you even think about shopping, create a meal plan for the entire week. This will prevent impulse buys and ensure you only purchase what you need. Focus on meals that utilize the same ingredients in different ways to minimize waste.
2. Identify Affordable Staples: Lentils (dal), rice, potatoes, onions, and seasonal vegetables are your best friends. These are filling, nutritious, and relatively inexpensive. Consider locally sourced produce for better prices.
3. Bulk Buying (Strategically): If possible, buy staples like rice and lentils in bulk. This often results in significant savings compared to buying smaller packages. However, only buy what you can realistically consume before it expires.
4. Cook at Home: Eating out is almost always more expensive than cooking at home. Commit to preparing all your meals.
5. Minimize Processed Foods: Packaged and processed foods are generally more expensive and less nutritious than whole foods. Avoid them as much as possible.
6. Utilize Leftovers: Don't let any food go to waste. Repurpose leftovers into new meals. For example, leftover cooked vegetables can be added to rice or lentils.
7. Hydrate Smartly: Avoid sugary drinks and bottled water. Drink tap water (if safe) or make your own flavored water with lemon or cucumber.
8. Track Your Spending: Keep a close eye on your expenses to ensure you stay within your budget. Use a budgeting app or a simple spreadsheet.

Pro Tip:

Visit local farmers' markets towards the end of the day. Vendors are often willing to offer discounts on produce they want to sell before closing, helping you stretch your ₹100 even further.