Low carb food on limited budget?

[Rosiecarmel]

The credit card comment is put out as you may be odd if you aren't in possession of one, like @Ralph-YK I've never had one, nor my mum, grandad, Bruce and the only folk I know of that have had have always ended up in debt through thinking its only this much and won't do too much harm rather than facing the fact they don't have the money to afford it so will have to leave it until a time they can

I got myself into debt when I was 18 with credit cards. Now 10 years on I still have a poor credit rating!

 

[silentsquirrel]

You'd be ill advised if you are veggie or vegan using Worcertershire sauce - it's flavoured with anchoves!

Vegan versions are available!

 

[trophywench]

Vegan versions are available!

There you go - obviously not being vegan and only ever having needed to buy a bottle occasionally - I've never looked.

 

[silentsquirrel]

There you go - obviously not being vegan and only ever having needed to buy a bottle occasionally - I've never looked.

Daughter is vegan, so I am aware, though have never used it. We don't get together that often even pre-CV19 (distance) so not worth stocking up on such things.

 

[Drummer]

I got myself into debt when I was 18 with credit cards. Now 10 years on I still have a poor credit rating!

Ah - that always makes things difficult.
Having a credit card has always meant I can grab a bargain when I see it, and that makes a big difference as the years go by. It is half a century since I got my first credit card.
Do you have a bank account? That would be where to start to restore your credit rating. If you are always struggling after a 5 week month, for instance then bank account, bank card and credit card might help you out. It takes a lot of stress out of life when having more month than salary happens.

 

[zuludog]

I know you want to be vegetarian, but out of curiosity I've just Searched Google for 'bacon ends and pieces'
There are loads of references and recipes

Hard white cabbages are cheap at the moment; this is how I cook mine
Even my kids would eat cabbage when it's done this way

Cut the cabbage into wedges, a bit like pie slices
Remove the stalk, lay them on their side and cut into fine slices, almost like straw
Put butter and a drop of oil into a pan, the oil stops the butter from burning
Add the cabbage and a small amount of water; you don't want to submerge the cabbage, just an inch or so
Simmer with the lid on till the cabbage is soft, then remove the lid, turn the heat up slightly, and continue till all the water has evaporated and the cabbage fries in the butter
Stir the cabbage occasionally

Although I've never done it, you could probably turn this into a meal by including carrots, onion, bacon pieces or chick peas
But I might try it in a couple of days time

Or Search Google for 'hard white cabbage recipes'.

 

[trophywench]

One of the first Balti houses on Ladypool Road (central to the Balti Belt, Birmingham LOL) did a wonderful vegetarian balti, 99% diced white cabbage and onion of course. Love white cabbage (Diced or sliced without stalk) which I just steam or boil, drain extra well, chuck back in the saucepan with a knob of butter, add pepper to taste and as they say, toss! Or made into coleslaw with whatever you happen to have that you can grate.

Red cabbage to Delia Smith's recipe ... make sure you have all the spices and wine vinegar handy before you start assembling it in the pressure cooker though - it is not pressure cooked, but it's the largest, thickest saucepan I own so it get's used for this every year, cos you have to cook it for a long time very very gently indeed. I make a whole cabbage worth (about 10 good portions) and freeze portions of it.

 

[Rosiecarmel]

I know you want to be vegetarian, but out of curiosity I've just Searched Google for 'bacon ends and pieces'
There are loads of references and recipes

Hard white cabbages are cheap at the moment; this is how I cook mine
Even my kids would eat cabbage when it's done this way

Cut the cabbage into wedges, a bit like pie slices
Remove the stalk, lay them on their side and cut into fine slices, almost like straw
Put butter and a drop of oil into a pan, the oil stops the butter from burning
Add the cabbage and a small amount of water; you don't want to submerge the cabbage, just an inch or so
Simmer with the lid on till the cabbage is soft, then remove the lid, turn the heat up slightly, and continue till all the water has evaporated and the cabbage fries in the butter
Stir the cabbage occasionally

Although I've never done it, you could probably turn this into a meal by including carrots, onion, bacon pieces or chick peas
But I might try it in a couple of days time

Or Search Google for 'hard white cabbage recipes'.

Thank you this sounds nice!

I have also found Asdas own soya milk for half the price of branded soya milk!

 

[Rosiecarmel]

Thank you this sounds nice!

I have also found Asdas own soya milk for half the price of branded soya milk!

It was sneaky and hidden in the baking aisle instead of where all the milks are!

 

[zuludog]

If you're going to cook these sort of stews a slow cooker is useful. You don't need to get one straight away, but it's something to think about for the future

You don't need anything fancy, you can get a basic 3 litre model for about £20 or less
That's what I use, and it does the job well enough.
And of course, Search t'Net & YouTube and there are loads of recipes

You'll notice that as well as being low carb, veg stews are also low in fat and salt
Use reduced salt stock cubes
If you use bacon pieces, trim & dice them; soak overnight and pour away the water in the morning; fry off the fat before adding it to the stew

 

[helli]

@Rosiecarmel how are you doing with your £10.
I realise I am late to this discussion but notice you have LADA rather than type 2. Therefore, whilst low carb may reduce your insulin demands. the need to go low carb is much less - you should be able to inject insulin for the cheaper more carby foods such as bread and rice and pulses. Some supermarkets do packs of cheaper "stewing vegetables". You can cook these without meat for a hearty stew or soup.
You can cook these without the nee to spend twice as much money as you have on a slow cooker or by getting into debt with a credit card whilst remaining vegetarian (no need for bacon, for example).

If your incoming continues to be low, have you thought about planning ahead? Do you have the option of bulk buying a few things after the 20th of the month?

Tell us how you are doing ... and good luck?

 

[Tereza]

@Ditto I wouldn't say living a low carb lifestyle is cheaper than being able to eat whatever you like, things like rice, pulses, pasta, bread etc all the carb heavy things are by far cheaper than your carb free meats for instance, also many vegetables aren't that low carb, one pack of heck sausages is around £3 so not exactly cheap but sausages filled with c**p are by far cheaper, if you think its cheaper to live low carb then I'd love to see proof of that, also a lot of what you mention isn't vegan friendly and although Rosie seems to feel she may need to loosen the vegan part just now I doubt anyone would make the leap to what you've set

@Ditto I wouldn't say living a low carb lifestyle is cheaper than being able to eat whatever you like, things like rice, pulses, pasta, bread etc all the carb heavy things are by far cheaper than your carb free meats for instance, also many vegetables aren't that low carb, one pack of heck sausages is around £3 so not exactly cheap but sausages filled with c**p are by far cheaper, if you think its cheaper to live low carb then I'd love to see proof of that, also a lot of what you mention isn't vegan friendly and although Rosie seems to feel she may need to loosen the vegan part just now I doubt anyone would make the leap to what you've set out xx

Kaylz I agree with you. And feel realy sorry for Robincarmel, being short of cash and having to eat animal products is very disheartening.
For me such an option does not exist. Its animal free or I dont eat. How come so many people seem to think an egg is a vegetable? Check out your eat out menu when next you are able to do so.

Being a diabetic and living on low carb? A very BIG problem. How does one make soup tasty with out soup cubes? A tablespoon HP sauce per plate of soup does make a bit of difference. But there is noting like throwing in a hand full of grated cheese.... now thats a tasty plate of soup..... but does not help the weight or the acid reflux.

How about the right type of fruit for a diabetic. all the berries. but why are the berries soo expensive. An orange has too much sugar, an apple or a pear the same. And nuts are suppose to be good for you. The cheapest ones are salted peanuts.... no, thats not good for you. But can you afford eight walnuts a day? Or a few brazil nuts? Nope, they are too expensive.

I guess next life time around I hope if my karma depicts I should become diabetic again that I am a wealthy one so I can eat decently.

 

[Lucyr]

I'd suggest googling your area to see if it has a community fridge. Theres a few near me, food that is close to it's date are put in the fridge and anyone can help themselves to it. There's also an app called Olio which i haven't used but have been reccomeded, which is aimed at reducing food waste by sharing foods that would go to waste otherwise.

 

[AndBreathe]

Kaylz I agree with you. And feel realy sorry for Robincarmel, being short of cash and having to eat animal products is very disheartening.
For me such an option does not exist. Its animal free or I dont eat. How come so many people seem to think an egg is a vegetable? Check out your eat out menu when next you are able to do so.

Being a diabetic and living on low carb? A very BIG problem. How does one make soup tasty with out soup cubes? A tablespoon HP sauce per plate of soup does make a bit of difference. But there is noting like throwing in a hand full of grated cheese.... now thats a tasty plate of soup..... but does not help the weight or the acid reflux.

How about the right type of fruit for a diabetic. all the berries. but why are the berries soo expensive. An orange has too much sugar, an apple or a pear the same. And nuts are suppose to be good for you. The cheapest ones are salted peanuts.... no, thats not good for you. But can you afford eight walnuts a day? Or a few brazil nuts? Nope, they are too expensive.

I guess next life time around I hope if my karma depicts I should become diabetic again that I am a wealthy one so I can eat decently.

Tereza - I'm not veggie, never mind vegan, but I have made this home made veg stock paste several times, as I find it an excellent, simple (read lazy, if you're referring to me!) means of seasoning many things.

The recipe outlines a variety of vegetables, but in reality, it is an ideal bottom of the fridge, yellow label or or veg box remainders recipe. All that changes is the flavour a bit. I do use the parmesan, but that is optional.

I have an Instant Pot, so use that to make mine, but in essence, a pressure cooker just speeds the cooking up. It would work equally well in a large stock pot. For anyone without a blender, a masher and a bit of exercise - mashing - would work too.

It is exceptionally salty - that helps it keep, and helps us remember is is a concentrate, but honestly a spoonful, or a couple, if batch cooking can be transformative.

Homemade Vegetable Stock Paste (with Instant Pot and Thermomix instructions)

You'll know what goes into your stock with this Homemade Vegetable Stock Paste (with Instant Pot & Thermomix instructions). A thrifty way to use scraps too

www.feistytapas.com

If we want soup, it's very easy to lob a couple of spoonfuls of this, along with whatever veg needs to be used up (and leftover meats in our case) and a tasty bowl is there in no time.