Nutriating on the Cheap: Tips from a Pro

• Buy 2% milk instead of skim: same price, more calories. Plus, you get sick of it faster.
• Less sharp cheddar packs the same amount of flavor as more mild cheddar.
• Oatmeal and rice double in size when cooked, but cornmeal quadruples.
  
• Make canned beans your staple. Not only are they packed with protein, fiber, iron, and other good stuff, but they are super cheap. Off-brands taste exactly the same as name-brand beans (the exception here is refried beans: Rosarita, always buy Rosarita). I suggest Great Northern and little white beans. Rinsing the beans thoroughly in a colander before using them prevents digestive side effects.
• Eggs are 99¢ a dozen, and two will keep you full past lunch. Do the math: that's 16½¢ a breakfast.
• Spices may seem expensive, but a slight sprinkle will make boring cheap food more appealing.
• Never eat meat or chicken straight. Incorporate it into some sort of casserole to stretch it.
  
• Help the host or hostess clean up after a party to score leftovers.
• Uncooked oatmeal (in drums, not packets) is very, very cheap (off-brands taste the same as Quaker) and keeps you fuller than cold cereal.
  
• Stock up on staples (like canned beans) during sales. Not only does this get you a better price, but you have something to eat if you get sick and can't work for a week.
• Accept free food.
• Seek out sources of free food.
• Make friends with people who like to barbecue. Consider every hour you spend pretending to be interested in what they're saying an investment towards free hamburgers and steaks.