patrick.net

I usually just post pictures of stuff I find elsewhere, but this is based on a personal experience. Opened a new jar of applesauce, and it's clearly watered down (which is another form of shrinkflation). It was so watered down that I could easily drink it (so I did). Applesauce isn't supposed to be a beverage.

I didn't want to drop only NEGATIVE WAVES, so here's a way to save money.

Winn Dixie has 5lb of Russet Potatoes for $5.99, BOGO. That's 10lb of potatoes. Potatoes have Vit C and some other micronutrients.

A bag of freakin' Lays or Ruffles or Store-brought Frozen Fries easily goes for $5 and UP.

Home lightly fried fries
Cut potatoes in quarters, then crossways into about 1-2 inch pieces. Throw in a bowl and rinse in 2-3 waters until clear. Then fill with water and let potatoes sit for an hour, or overnight. Dump the water, add 1-2 tablespoons of Grease/Fat (Burger Grease, bacon grease, butter) per 1-2 potatoes (size dependent) and salt to taste, mix well with your hands, distributing the salt and grease as evenly as possible.

Throw in airfryer for 15 minutes on roast; flipping them with a spatula about halfway through , 7 or 8 minutes in.

to get a crispy exterior, then broil/crisp for 5 minutes at 450F or max temp. Depending on your airfryer, you can easily make 2 batches that will last all week, or for 3-4 people a couple of meals each.

If you want to take more prep time you can cut them in half and then make thinner slices less than a quarter inch thick. I never take off the skin, best part and where the fiber and much of the micronutrients reside. This reduces cooking time.

I shake some oregano or basil.

Popcorn
Another cheap, not too high calorie filler for young guys getting started is POPCORN. Buy whole kernals, not the bagged/microwave shit, spend $10-20 for a silicon bowl that you can toss into the microwave. Add OLIVE oil, or REAL BUTTER, or Burger Grease and some salt. Experiment with oregano, pepper, even some horseradish I've used. Much cheaper and far, far healthier than the store-brought bags.

Soft Tortillas
Finally, high-fiber Soft Tortillas. Easily warmed in an air fryer or lightly sauted with a minimum amount of fat. Head up and Throw leftovers, veggies, the tiny burger that's really too small, pinch of cheese, etc. and you've got a few hundred calorie meal

Eggs and 75% Beef
Both cheap. Use 1-2 eggs and then 3-4 tablespoons of Egg Whites, three tablespoons of water to fluff it up, and whatever veggies or cheese you have lying around. With your home fries or a soft torilla, you have a fast, easy meal.

Vermacelli/Rice Sticks
Soak in water for about an hour - I don't like them al-dente. A teaspoon of Sesame Oil, some soy sauce (Fermenting process kills the phytoestrogens), and whatever small bits of meat or veg you have. Toss in wok or skillet.

Prep
Cut all veggies when you get them back from the store and keep in clear glass. You can reuse glass pickle or sauerkraut jars. Cheap and good: Green Onions, Bok Choi.

Often the place for Rice Sticks and Cheap Veggies and Asian stuff like Sesame Oil and Chili Garlic Oil is better at the Asian Market, often much cheaper than the supermarket "International" section. Rice Sticks last forever, they're dry as a bone and don't attract insects for that reason.

AmericanKulak says

Another cheap, not too high calorie filler for young guys getting started is POPCORN. Buy whole kernals, not the bagged/microwave shit, spend $10-20 for a silicon bowl that you can toss into the microwave. Add OLIVE oil

This is what I do. Use the extra light taste olive oil and it only takes about 1 1/2 minutes to pop. Jolly Time is best.