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9 cheap foods to add to your shopping list the next time you head to the grocery store

Grocery list tips Lentils are a good source of protein and are easily thrown into a soup, stir fry or as a side all their own. (Pixabay)
(Pixabay)

ORLANDO, Fla. — With thousands of people facing unemployment or smaller paychecks, many are facing a situation where they are trying to provide for themselves and their families with less.

Grocery store trips are laden with gloves and face coverings, many trying to make it in and out of the shop as quickly and safely as possible.

To help you, Channel 9 compiled a list of budget-friendly must-haves for your next shopping trip:

“Coronavirus

  1. Ramen noodles: A whole meal for less than a dollar. Need we say more? This celebrated college-student staple has the potential to be more than what’s advertised on the box. Here’s a list of nine ways to hack your noodles.
  2. Lentils: A good source of protein, easily thrown into a soup, stir fry or as a side all their own.
  3. Beans: Black, red, refried or pinto, they provide an easy source of protein and can serve as a side dish or the base for an entire meal. Add some seasoning, onion and garlic and serve with rice.
  4. Pasta: An entire meal with limited effort and ingredients required. Buy a jar of sauce or just add butter and cheese, and you’re done.
  5. Eggs: Scrambled, fried, over-easy, hardboiled or poached. Serve with toast, on a bagel or in egg salad. You can add an egg on the side or make it the star of the meal.
  6. Rice: Just add water, maybe some butter and salt, and you’re done. Serve with some beans for lunch or dinner or heat up with milk and sugar or cinnamon for breakfast. It’s a cheap ingredient you can eat at any time of day.
  7. Oatmeal: Another good standard to enjoy all day. Serve it with sugar, cinnamon or fruit for breakfast, or go savory and add an egg and some salt for a meal at any hour.
  8. Produce: Look for produce that will fill you up and last awhile on the shelf. Think potatoes, cabbage apples and bananas. Apples and bananas are great with peanut butter as a snack, and potatoes are a good all-day staple from hashbrowns in the morning to mashed in the evening. Cabbage can be boiled, sautéed or pickled, depending on your preference.
  9. Bread: Grab a loaf or two, some peanut butter and jelly and you’ve got lunch covered for the week. Toast some up with an egg for breakfast, or as a side with your beans or lentils for lunch or dinner.

READ: Not able to pay off all your bills? Here’s which ones experts say you should prioritize first

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

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