Reddit reviews Nishiki Premium Rice, Medium Grain, 240 Oz, Pack of 1

Finally someone said it: They eat more quality foods than crap


Edit: 2 chicken breasts and 8oz of sushi rice after workout is the best, mandatory sriracha hot sauce is must.


This is the sushi rice brand I get


Nishiki Premium Rice, Medium Grain, 15-Pound Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NRLAVY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cFzwxbRFH4Z86


Forgot to add, avocado on top of sushi rice is da bomb.


I rotate, one week rice next week potatoes. Rice is known for high concentration of arsenic, that's why I rotate.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NRLAVY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Literally the base of every single meal I eat. Add canned chicken, Rotel, and Valentina hot sauce and you have a Mexican meal. Do tuna, kimchi, and sriracha and you have a Southeast Asian meal.

Both options are a million times better if you already have a spice stash handy. If not, you can buy those premade seasoning packets on Amazon in something like taco or chow mein flavor or something.

Meat/Protein/Milk:
[Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 3-Ounce Easy Open Cans (Pack of 24)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012271RA/)

[Starkist Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 Ounce (Pack of 10)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IH8ERA)

[Kirkland Signature chicken breast, packed in water, premium chunk, 6 12.5-ounce cans]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YPJKBC/)

[Hormel Black Label Fully Cooked Bacon - 72 ct]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F54QG1S)

[Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, 25.6-Ounce]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VITI0K)

Crackers/Snacks:
[Nabisco Original Premium Saltine Crackers Topped with Sea Salt, 3 Pound]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WN7DNS/)

[Pepperidge Farm Baked Goldfish Crackers - 66oz (4.1 lbs)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CBCJGE)

[Nabisco Honey Maid Graham Crackers 4-14.4oz Boxes]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G4LRDI/)

[Snyders Mini Pretzels Tub, 40 Ounce]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MZQM6O/)

[Stauffer's Original Animal Crackers - 4lb 14oz tub]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NC8HS6/)

Pasta/Sauce:
[Kraft Blue Box Macaroni & Cheese, 7.25-Ounce Boxes]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019RLJV2/)

[Barilla Meat Sauce Gemelli Italian Entree, 9 Ounce Microwavable Bowls (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2JRNBM)

[Campbell's SpaghettiOs plus Calcium, 15 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GH8IJ8)

[Chef Boyardee Big Beef Ravioli, Overstuffed, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XUJ3RK/)

[Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli, 15-Ounce Units (Pack of 24)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BCVDXO)

[Chef Boyardee Jumbo Spaghetti and Meatballs, 14.5-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XUJ47O/)

[Campbell's Raviolios, 15 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GH6X86/)

[Barilla Pasta Sauce Variety Pack, 24 Ounce Jars, 4 Count]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQGP20Q/)

[Ragu America's Favorite Pasta Sauce Traditional Old World Style Sause 2 Pound 13 Ounce Value Jars (Pack of 3)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CU5UXC)

[Barilla Spaghetti Pasta, 32 Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00338DSQ4/)

Soup/Chili:
[Campbell's Chunky Classic Chicken Noodle Soup, 15.25 Ounce Microwavable Bowls (Pack of 8)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V6L2FK/)
-This product has a drop down that has all the other campbell soups in bulk too, just make sure it still says Prime after you've selected.

[Campbell's Chunky Healthy Request Sirloin Burger with Country Vegetables Soup, 18.8 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029TJTQG/)

[Campbell's Chunky Creamy Chicken & Dumplings Soup, 18.8 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014EW4L4)

[Campbell's Homestyle Healthy Request Mexican-Style Chicken Tortilla Soup, 18.6 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014EOVI8/)

[Campbell's Chunky Roadhouse Beef & Bean Chili, 19 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014EW4N2)

[Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, Chicken Flavor, 3 oz, 36 Packs]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CUGD9Y)

Bread/Tortillas/Stuffing:
[Stove Top Stuffing - (6) 8 oz. pouches]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BL6ZJ4)

[Bisquick All Purpose Mix, 80 Ounce]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028B9ZGE)

[Mestemacher Bread Whole Rye, 17.6-Ounce (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00472672C/)

[Mestemacher Bread Three Grain, 17.6-Ounce (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00471YHU2/)

[Jiffy, Corn Muffin Mix, 8.5oz Box (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NN0J9A)

[Ortega Flour Tortillas, 14.3 Ounce (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GGVQFC)

[Ortega Tortillas, Whole Wheat, 16 Ounce (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9TDJEQ)

Fruit/Veg/Beans:
[Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, Four Cheese, 1.5 Ounce (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3J98D0)

[Sun Maid Natural California Raisins, 32-Ounce (Pack of 4)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UKJS68)

[Libby's Organic Cut Green Beans, 14.5-Ounces Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040PUGZ0)

[Libby's Organic Sweet Peas, 15-Ounces Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040Q0TPQ)

[Libby's Organic Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040PWYVO/)

[Libby's Fruit Mix -chunky In Pear juices Concentrate, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040PYG9W/)

[Libby's Organic Dark Red Kidney Beans, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040Q0JWO/)

[Libby's Organic Pinto Beans, 15-Ounces Cans (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040PYXXG/)

[Sylvia's Collard Greens, 14.5 Ounce Packages (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TXF62S/)

[B&G Foods Ortega Black Beans, 15-Ounce (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005D6E336/)

[Old El Paso Refried Beans, Fat Free, 16-Ounce (Pack of 12)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00374W630)

Rice:
[Nishiki Premium Rice, Medium Grain, 15-Pound Bag]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NRLAVY/)

[Botan Musenmai Calrose Rice, 5-Pound Bags (Pack of 4)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001SAQDT8/)

[Dynasty Jasmine Rice, 20-Pound]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NRG77Q/)

Breakfast:
[Carnation Breakfast Essentials, Rich Milk Chocolate Powder, 10-Count Envelopes (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037YXQMA)

[Quaker Instant Grits Flavor Variety 50 Pack Variety Value Box]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027INRDA)

[Golden Grill Russet Hashbrown Potatoes(48 servings)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00470NIOO)

[Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets Variety Pack, 52-Count]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O9WEY2/)

[Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries, Frosted Strawberry, 36-Count Box]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZXCA2U/)

[Kellogg's Pop-tarts Frosted Toaster Pastries, 24-Strawberries & 24-Brown Sugar Cinnamon-, 86 Ounce]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008QP5LIC/)

[Rice Krispies Toasted Rice Cereal, 18-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E6GL66/)

[Quaker Chewy Granola Bar, Variety Pack, 8-Count (Pack of 6)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ER1AEE)

[Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars Oats 'N Honey, 96-Count]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LTM29M)

[Nutri-Grain-Kellogg's Cereal Bars Variety Pack, 48-Count]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LTIDR2)

PB&J:
[Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter, 40-Ounce Jars (Pack of 3)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00295IGHS)

[Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, 48 Ounce, 2 count]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094IN7UE)

[Planters Peanut Butter Crunchy, 28 Ounce (Pack of 4)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R8L712)

[Planters Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, 26.5 Ounce (Pack of 4)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DDC3JK)

[Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Spread 35.3oz Jar]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008IGB0QQ)

[Welch's Concord Grape Jelly 2 ~ 32oz Jars]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TKZ7A0)

Other Stuff:
[Hormel Compleats Meals - VARIETY FLAVORS (6 - 10 Ounce Microwavable Bowls) - Beef Stew, Meatloaf, Roast Beef, Spaghetti, Chicken Alfredo, Turkey & Dressing]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5WZUFA)

[Heinz Ketchup, Relish and Mustard Picnic Pack, 3 Bottles]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XLOOCS)

[Heinz Tomato Ketchup Jug, 114 Ounce]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00112AM2C)

[McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix, 24-Ounce Unit]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OJ0MU2)

[Tone's Spices Taco Seasoning Traditional Blend for Mexican Dishes - Net Weight 23 oz]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P00HXA)

Addon items (Free shipping with Prime for orders over $25!)
[Cheerios Cereal, 21 Ounce (Pack of 2)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1KPV7U/)

[Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal, 21.6 Ounce (Pack of 2)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYW1K26)

[Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, 23.6 Ounce (Pack of 2)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYW24WQ)

[Raisin Bran Crunch Cereal, 18.2 -Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006W5WAL4)

[Planters Peanuts, Dry Roasted, Lightly Salted (Bonus Pack), 20-Ounce Packages (Pack of 2)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JD8Y2HC)

[Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise, 30oz]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQTTVY)

[Kraft Mayonnaise, 30-Ounce Jars (Pack of 2)]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VMW0KC/)

[French's Classic Yellow Squeeze Bottle Mustard 14 oz]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061EOP0/)

[Heinz Tomato Ketchup, 38 Ounce Bottle]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GFW8C8)

[Planters Creamy Peanut Butter Jar, Natural, 15 Ounce]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DDC3JK)

[Domino Premium Pure Cane Granulated Sugar 4lb Bag]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LAZ8SO)

[Pillsbury Best All Purpose Flour, 5 Pound]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EOTMA6)

[Morton Iodized Salt 26oz]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019N87XE)

[Church & Dwight #01110 16oz Arm & Hammer Baking Soda]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B2W09A)

[Morton's Salt, Mccormick Pepper Pack, 5.25-ounce Shakers]
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0005YMEFK)

Inside will always be dirty if you are dry tumbling, to cut down dust you can use rice: https://www.amazon.com/Nishiki-Premium-Medium-Grain-15-Pound/dp/B004NRLAVY?th=1

If you don't was to use rice, add some USED dryer sheets cut into 4ths. This will help reduce the dust.

If you really wanted to be frugal and give yourself a bit of an ascetic test you could buy a large bag of rice and a multivitamin. You would be fine for the month, and just think how good that first real meal would be when the month is over. Plus, you'd save a lot of that card for other things. If you wanted to make it less harsh, you could buy a few splurge foods like:

Spaghetti-O's (you could actually just buy these and be fine for the month too, 5 cans a day = $5 x 30 days = $150)

Mountain House dehydrated meals

Mac and Cheese

Any number of other things, really. The rice is an absolute frugal grocery staple. Beyond that, go to Amazon and search the listings under Grocery>Packaged Meals & Side Dishes. Just don't forget a multivitamin.

For less messy amazon links you can extract the part after "/dp/" in

https://www.amazon.com/Nishiki-Premium-Medium-Grain-15-Pound/dp/B004NRLAVY/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1484182347&sr=1-2&keywords=rice&th=1).

and make it:

https://amzn.com/B004NRLAVY

BEEP BOP

Plz send any recommendations via PM

A can of harden the f--- up? If he doesn't have time to buy food (which takes maybe an hour a week) how does he have time to eat food? How is he even still alive? Maybe get him a map to the nearest Costco and go buy a giant bag of beans and rice. Aldi is cheap as heck too if there is one of those nearby. You can literally eat for a $1 a meal like this.

Muscle milk is nothing special nutritionally, but it is expensive.

Edit:

If you are really legitimately concerned, or just want to be nice, and are in the US, you can get some food on Amazon. Order him a bag of rice and many cans of beans. Should at least keep him from starving to death for a while. You can get dried beans much cheaper, but that requires soaking and thus planning meals in advance (which might be his actual problem).

If the problem is just that he doesn't know how to cook, get him this basic cook book, and a sauce pan or two. Teach a man to fish, etc. etc.

Also, assuming you are in the US and are a student (I saw "internship") you can sign up for a free 6 month prime membership and get free shipping; just put a note in your calendar to cancel after 6 month period.

To me at least, having my brother send me food would be a sign that I need to get my shit together, but that might only be because I already have my shit together.

This is cheaper and has more than double the calories.

Maybe don't shop exclusively at Whole Foods if you're concerned about price? Hell, you can live off of healthy food mostly from Amazon. Start with rice: $24 for 25 days worth of food @ 1600 kCal a day. Add in dried beans - high fiber and quite tasty, for about $2 per pound.. Add frozen vegetables from your local store - and in NYC, that's not difficult at all, thanks to awesome public transportation - and you're eating healthy on way less than $40 per week.

I'm Chinese and have been eating rice pretty much since I was born. We've ordered online before, from Walmart and amazon, but usually get a huge bag at the Asian market that lasts a couple of months. I've yet to find a single bug/worm/creepy crawly in any of the rice I've purchased.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004NRLAVY?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd&th=1 this is a pretty good deal on amazon. I prefer rice from Thailand (the texture is similar to sushi rice) but the prices are ridic on amazon.

I'd skip Walmart though. 3 out of the 4 times we've ordered from them, the bags arrived damaged and we had to reorder. Also, the brands they carry are meh. But I'm Asian so we tend to be picky with our rice.

Wash the rice 3 times, you don't have to wash it until it's crystal clear just get most of the starch out. Make sure you drain all the water out before it goes into the pan with the added water. Then bring to just barely a rolling boil and drop the heat to low and cover. Cook for 20min, the second the timer goes off move your pan off the burner and let sit for 10min covered. I don't use a rag I just use the lid and the lid stays closed from the moment you put it on to the end of your ten min timer. I like to put foil or plastic over a sheet pan and spread my rice out on that. Using a rice paddle and cutting motions mix in about 3tbsp of seasoned rice vinegar. It's kinda hard to get used to at first but you need a fan or a stiff plastic lid and start fanning the rice with one hand while cutting and mixing the rice with the other. Continue this until the rice is basically about the same temp as your skin. I also recommend covering the rice with a damp paper towel while you're making sushi so it doesn't dry out. Hope this helps.
This is the Sushi rice that I use, it's a pretty good deal. 20$ for 15lbs.

Actually rice and beans is significantly cheaper than instant ramen.

A 12 pack of top ramen costs about $9. That's about $0.75 per meal.

These beans cost $15 for 104 oz dry; a serving of beans is roughly 2 oz dry (you soak them and get about 4 oz), so that's about $0.07 per meal's worth of beans.

This rice costs $26 for 240 oz dry. One serving of rice is about 3 oz dry, so that's about $0.32 per meal's worth of rice.

Even just eating rice and beans on their own is significantly more satisfying than instant ramen, I've found. So that's about 1/2 the cost for a better meal.

And in fact, if you're not a complete idiot and just go to the store and buy your supplies, you'll probably pay a lot less.

The downside, of course, is you need to know how to cook and you need to have enough free time to actually do it - without a crock pot, beans can be a giant pain in the ass, and without a rice cooker rice can be similarly frustrating.

Re:cost of living; currencies are either "strong" or "weak": in countries with weak currencies, cheap things necessary to live (food, place to live, etc.) tend to be a lot cheaper, while everything else (education, beds, real home, technology, etc.) is a lot more expensive. Strong currencies are the opposite.

Most African currencies (South Africa and Egypt are the notable exceptions) are very weak, meaning that basic living (eating) is very cheap, but everything else (including clean water and health care) is much more expensive.

On top of that, variety is practically nonexistent. Eating beans and rice (which is minimally healthy, but sufficient) is very cheap: pinto beans are .04 cents/calorie, and rice is .07 cents/calorie; and that's off Amazon, not generic product from a bulk wholesaler. Eating 3000 calories/day of beans and rice (1500 calories each) would cost $1.60/day of food.

Ok...I have a feeling this will make you laugh!

Your own pet
These won't poop on the floor
Keep those footsies warm
If you've got the time....I've got the place baby!

🎂🎂🎂Happity Birdday /u/neongreenpurple!!!

I have to agree w/everyone on the whole Apartment being out of your budget...but you didn't ask for that advice, so I'll try to help you out as best I can.

The way I like to help is by giving you one tool. Hardest thing about eating on a budget is you often eat the same thing, so a little variety is nice. I would suggest eating this one week, and finding other recipes next week, then coming back to this when you feel it. It won't be the cheapest, but it will taste solid and fill your belly (and more importantly be in your budget).
Key is to buy in bulk.

• Rice/Beans - Go to your local grocery store or go to Amazon. Buy rice in the 15/lb [bag](https://www.amazon.com/Nishiki-Premium-Medium-Grain-15-Pound/dp/B004NRLAVY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1500740463&sr=8-1&keywords=rice&th=1https://www.amazon.com/Nishiki-Premium-Medium-Grain-15-Pound/dp/B004NRLAVY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1500740463&sr=8-1&keywords=rice&th=1 ex.), and it should not cost you more than $1/lb.
  
  Same thing with the beans.
  
  
• Meat - I need my meat, but this is going to be generally the most expensive. I think the best thing you can do is to wait to look for whatever is on sale and again bulk it up. So for example chicken breast in my area normally ranges from $1.50-2.50/lb. So when it hits the low range for me $1.50 i tend to buy 2/3 packs and store it in my freezer (If it every goes to .99/lb I always buy at least 2 packs). Sometimes if other meats such as pork or ground beef goes on sale you can spoil yourself a bit. Key here is to use that freezer.
  
  Also learn HOW to debone a chicken . Now you can buy the whole chicken and give me more options.
  
  
• Eggs - My local store sells Eggs for about $1.20-1.99 for a dozen and from my experience is the cheapest at trader joes. I think it's worth the buy.
  
  
• Produce - Key is to wait for the sales. It's hard to bulk up on produce cause they go bad in a few days. But I generally buy green bell peppers, onions, and whatever is on sale.
  
  
• Spices - This is a going to a cheap way to make your food taste good. Salt/Pepper is a must. Bulk red chili pepper flakes (7oz) if you like spice. Garlic Powder Bulk (I get 13oz). And other spices that you personally like. Generally I tend to spend maybe $7 a month on spices.
  
  -----
  Ok now, just gotta cook. Cook the rice and beans together. While that's cooking, cook the meat. For Chicken Breasts, depending on the thickness, I suggest cooking it 5 mins each side and then letting it sit for about 3 mins after you are done. I then cook any produce I have, then add the rice and meat. I then push all the food to the sides of the pan put some oil in the middle and drop my egg (sometimes i drop 2 if im hungry). I personally break the egg and after about 1-2 mins i then mix everything together. I add my spices. Put in soy sauce, or a bit of ketchup, or hot sauce if I have it (Cheap tip: take a lot of condiments from fastfood joints, hahaha).
  
  
  Cost (Per/Month) assuming you eat this the entire month
  
• Rice/Beans: $17-24
  
• Meat: $20-30
  
• Eggs: $6-10
  
• Produce: $15
  
• Spices: $7
  Total: $86
  
  I hope this helps a bit. I think the best thing is to learn how to cook. Utilize reddit, youtube, etc to find cheap foods that are semi-healthy and are within your budget. You don't have financial capital, but you do have your own labor and skills that you can grow to compensate for your current lack of $$$. I personally ended up loving cooking cause I went through the same thing, had no money in college and lived off Ramen, Rice, Chicken, and Beans. Slowly I learned how to cook and now although I spend a lot more on food I feel I can cook a great meal on whatever budget im on.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Well, just through a cursory Google search, it seems the suggestion is 1c rice : 2c water for Jasmine. However, I never use it so I can't say for certain. Maybe try increasing your water?

Here's the rice I use: rice. I always use a 1:1 ratio, and it comes out perfectly anywhere down to 1 cup. Hope some of this helps!

>you're going to try and tell me you fed 4 people on $7 a day? did you grow/raise/catch/kill any of your own food? barter?

Cooking, baking, and buying in reasonable bulk. Rice, beans, pasta, frozen/canned vegetables, and a crockpot can do it. I'm not talking 500-pound bags of military surplus war beans or anything, just actually cooking them yourself. If you build a diet around cheap-to-obtain staples, the costs drop rapidly. For example:

• 15 pounds of brown rice at $16
  
• [25 pound bag of black beans at $36](http://www.amazon.com/Black-Beans-25-Lb-Bag/dp/B00J7UTDPC]
  
• [20 pounds of spaghetti at $38](http://www.amazon.com/Barilla-Thick-Spaghetti-Pasta-Ounce/dp/B00338JWL4]
  
• [50 pounds of flour at $42](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bulk+flour]
  
  So at about $150 you have about 6 months worth of base staples. And these are just random quick Amazon searches - most of these things can be found with more variety, healthier (depending on your dietary needs), and/or cheaper if you are looking. You can hit farmer's markets, but in my area they aren't really that much better as far as deals go unless you are looking for specific foods. Food banks certainly exist, and they are pretty laid back about who gets food, but I've never hit the point of wanting to use one up here.
  
  You don't eat out, drink alcohol, and treats end up being the most cost-effective ones possible. I ended up going with the cheapest fresh stuff I could find in stores for the number of services, to supplement frozen and canned. Fresh veggies really are the cheapest way to eat healthy. Cheaper the better: my usual "spaghetti sauce" was mostly carrots. Potatoes are literally cheaper than dirt here (Washington state: less than $2 per ten pound bag, not sure if it's that way anywhere else). Homemade salsa, mustard, and cost-effective heat seasonings are the condiments of choice - they stretch the furthest.
  
  If you don't want to cook a great deal, you can live on a crock pot or rice cooker. They are essentially $10-$20 investments these days. Dump everything in before leaving, come home to cooked food. It's not amazing, but it's sustenance on days where you are too lazy to cook for yourself. You can also cook and freeze, which is cheaper than buying frozen meals. Or, cook and refrigerate if you are someone like me who can eat the same leftovers for days at a time. Crockpot also means homemade soups, another great use for cheap veggies and potatoes. And acorn squash adds a great creaminess to chili (a great penny-stretching food). Sliced bread can be purchased relatively cheap, but almost any other baked good needs to be made at home.
  
  If you are a carnivorous family then chicken and tuna are your friend, but they are still not going to be cheap enough to be eaten regularly. Chicken does well with rice and beans, making it the natural choice for crockpot meat. Pork, and even beef, can be had when really good sales roll around - but that often makes them holiday meals (which I'm okay with). Cheese and fresh dairy in my experience is never cheap enough, and the only regular dairy we did was powdered milk. The trick with all of these is creating meals that use them sparingly, such as chicken in a crockpot giving flavor to everything else.
  
  I do grow greens in the warm months here (because I've got the greatest cheap AND lazy way to ever do it), but other than that I don't hunt or garden.
  
  Ultimately, it's doable, but it requires a complete disconnection from the "Murican Diet" of fast food and brand names. You work with healthier foods, smaller portion sizes, and less pre-packaged/pre-made products.

Spaghetti costs $0.50 for a box, sauce costs $0.65/can. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cost around $0.45 to make. Rice near me costs $11 for a 10lb bag, even on amazon you can find 15lbs for $22 ($1.47/lb). Make some rice and pour a $0.50 can of soup over it and you've got a meal. Or hell, black beans and rice with a little salt on it is delicious.

Just because you suck at shopping doesn't mean it can't be done.

Also, even if rice did cost $4/lb (which is stupid expensive), you can make almost 3 cups of rice from it, that's really close to 2k calories by itself.

This was what I used today, something similar for the first try. I don't recall how much I washed the first batch of rice, but I made sure to rinse the one today 4-5 times.

There are a variety of options. Some include:

Catalina Offshore Products

Honolulu Fish Market

Fish for Sushi

Great Alaska Seafood

Personally I'd vouch for the first two. Before living somewhere with a reputable fish market not far away, I'd used Catalina with some regularity. And I know several fish markets which source stuff from Honolulu Fish and it's been quite good.

With respect to rice - have you looked at your local supermarket? Even my local mid-tier supermarket carries both Lundberg Organic and Nishiki as well. Though I feel like how you cook your rice will make a huge difference.

> The problem is healthier food is way more expensive than the other options, so its asking people on food stamps, in essence, to get less. The real push should be in making healthy options more affordable.

15lb bag of rice, $22

5lb bag of chick peas, $15

Frozen veggies are cheap, frozen meats are cheap, potatoes are cheap, onions are cheap.

Luckily you can eat healthily and not spend a ton of money doing it.

This is the most popular sushi rice in the US.

http://www.amazon.com/Nishiki-Premium-Medium-Grain-15-Pound/dp/B004NRLAVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1382846708&sr=1-1&keywords=rice

I would wager it would be comparable to anything from Japan and I'm half Japanese.

Gosh, that food desert thing sounds really dire.

Rice.

Beans.