When tasked with assignment of finding food that will feed a human being for under a dollar, my mind was immediately in the culinary gutter.
Being a product of modern times, the advertisements for 99 cent cheeseburgers and french fries immediately came to mind.
Given approximately $3.25 per day, this would be enough coin for 3 double cheeseburgers at McDonald’s, and the tax.
That’s a lot of food, for not so much money.
However, what this food actually gives you nutritionally is a different story.
44o calories is what one of these meaty devils will set you back- not so bad if this is all one has to eat in a day.
The fat content is what is what should drive us away from these foods: 23 grams of fat in one double cheeseburger.
Eat two, and you’ve already consumed over twice the amount of fat and saturated fat that the average human being is supposed to intake in one day.
This is not exactly the heart healthy solution.
So what can be done, if one wants to live to see their 35th birthday- and not be broke?
Denny’s would seem like a decent option for breakfast- you can get a full Grand Slam breakfast for $3.99.
Until you consider that there are half a days calories and a full days serving of fat on a single plate.
It would seem that the grocery store is the only place to seek refuge, and maybe find some healthy alternatives.
There are a few things one can do- a box of whole wheat pasta is $1.29- but without sauce it wont taste very good.
Fruit is always a good option, but one cannot survive of apples and bananas alone- and the price often fluctuates with the time of year.
Obesity is obviously a huge problem in this country- and I can see why. All of the cheapest foods are also those that contain the most empty calories, and least nutritional value.
The classic Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich was an option I found most appealing for the money.
Wheat bread will run you $1.89, with a large jar of Welch’s grape jelly coming in at $2.35, and Jiff peanut butter at $1.29 (on sale).
While not exactly enjoyable- this could feed an adult for a few days without significantly increasing ones risk of heart disease.
Try throwing a few slices of banana on the PB and J for a little variation and increased nutritional value.
However, this will also put an increased dent in ones budget- a half dozen fresh ones costing between two and three dollars- depending on the quality and where you shop.
