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A Week of Cheap Cooking: Testing a New Food Guide
New York City, USAWednesday, February 11, 2026
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I decided to try the new food plan that was released in January. The guide says eat whole foods, cut back on sugar and processed stuff, and keep costs low. I set a budget of $15 a day for a week to see if it could work in real life.
Grocery List & AI Help
- Staples: potatoes, onions, chickpeas, whole‑grain bread, eggs
- Spices: kept what I already had to save money
The AI helper suggested the list based on my budget and the guide’s recommendations.
Daily Meals
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boiled eggs & rice | — | Roasted chicken, potatoes, carrots | — |
| 2-4 | — | Chicken, rice & peas | Ground beef with veggies | Apples & cheese |
| 5 | — | — | Cheat: chicken empanada (local event) | — |
| 6 | — | — | Simple pasta with leftovers | — |
| 7 | — | — | — | — |
Note: The meals were repetitive but stayed within budget.
Mid‑Week Check-In
Reaching out to a dietitian, I received:
- Add herbs and spices
- Buy unprocessed tomato sauce
- Spend a few dollars on fresh tomatoes & avocado
These tweaks made the next meal feel better.
Results & Reflections
- Budget: Finished the week at about $13, under the $15/day goal.
- Plan Viability: Doable with discipline, but can feel dull.
- Variety & Cravings: Missing variety led to cravings and a cheat day.
- Dietitian Feedback: Good protein & legumes, but more fresh fruit and veggies needed.
- Long‑Term Feasibility: Strict plans are hard to maintain; flexibility is essential.
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