As the world moves towards modernization and globalization, jobs have become confined to certain localities and cities and moving out is now an inevitable part of growing up. At first, the idea of living alone and having no one to command you seems really great. But as you actually walk out of the door and start living alone, you realize that it is not a rose bed after all. Various problems with time management and housing troubles become a part of your daily life. But amidst all this hustle, the biggest worry is of food. You will miss your home food and the cost of food items in the restaurant will haunt you even before the actual expenditure. What can you do in that case?
Celebrated Food Blogger from Kolkata, Sanjay Jhunjhunwala says, “There are many people who don’t like cooking at all and also don’t want to spend half of their salary on eating out daily. It is a common conflict of interest where you wish to go across the sea but also don’t want to taste the salt. Where do you bring a boat from?” He suggests various other alternatives which can be tried, instead of spending more and more money on food daily, which do not require you to be a MasterChef.
1.Buy ready to reheat food
Various food items like whole chicken and pre-made salad are available in the market which is both healthy and filling. These packed products are safe from germs and any other environmental contact and thus, are totally healthy. They also have a considerable amount of preservatives which ensure that they stay fresh for a longer time under the correct freezing conditions. With time, you can also learn which food item goes well with what and you can start mixing the pre-made food without getting into the hassles of actual cooking.
2.Get pre-cut vegetables
The biggest difficulty while cooking or assembling things for a meal is getting the ingredients ready. Most of the people hate cooking because of this very reason. For them, the easiest solution is to buy pre-cut vegetables from the market and use them as desired. You can cook them slightly, boil them or put them to any use as you wish. They are fresh and free from any chemicals and so, they are very healthy to consume. Also, you can mix different vegetables together and also go for soup and green salad.
3.Keep your supply of desserts full
Sometimes, eating is not about taste but about satisfying your hunger. For the emergency requirement, keep your stock full for ice-cream and other desserts which you can keep relishing in between major meals. It will make you feel satiated and will not cost a lot. You can also keep lots of chocolates and other snacks so that you are not very hungry all the time.
4.Rely on dairy products
What can be healthier than drinking a glass or two of milk, every day? Dairy products like buttermilk, shakes are full of protein and vitamins which give you strength and also keep the body in good shape. They make the muscles strong and check illness. With such great health benefits, reliance on dairy products can be a wise decision to make, if you are staying away from home and do not wish to spend much on food.
5.Change your diet
You had a lavish eating style back at home and that is acceptable. But when you are staying out, you have to take care of your fitness and your budget, all at once. For this, a good diet plan is extremely necessary. Change your diet to an affordable yet fulfilling one so that you do not find yourself in a financially weak state at the end of every month. Incorporate salads and fruits in your daily routine as much as possible, because they are not that costly and also have various important nutrients for the body. Drink water and juice a lot so that your stomach is full and you do not have the urge to eat something, every now and then.
6.Only buy as much as you can eat
Saving money also depends upon the number of food items you are purchasing. It is a good way of shopping to buy products in bulk, so as to get some discount. But it is not at all apt if you are wasting a lot of stuff in the end. Thus, you need to calculate your monthly or weekly dosage after some observations and do the shopping accordingly. This way, there will no wastage and you will also save more.
These small things can prove to be very useful in the long run and by incorporating some of these in your regular schedule will reflect upon your monthly expense, significantly.