Budget buster: nutritious meals under $10

I just received another notice from my bank informing me of another 0.25% interest rate raise. This would be the 13th interest rate raise since May 2022. Ouch. Now I have two teenagers to feed and I am sure there are many other families who are looking into nutritous meals under $10. The estimated cost cooks a meal enough for a family of 4. I also assume pantry staples are available. Here are some of my budget buster meals:

1. Swedish yellow pea soup Ärtsoppa

2. Vietnamese noodle salad with tofu

3. Chickpea curry with basmati rice

4. Homemade basil pesto with mushroom

5. Honey soy tofu with baby bok choy, served with steamed rice

The meals here are all vegetarian to keep the cost down. Animal protein is expensive and most people eat far too much than what our bodies need. I really like the Planetary Diet published in the Lancet in 2019. Quoting from the website:

" The planetary health diet is a global reference diet for adults that is symbolically represented by half a plate of fruits and vegetables. The other half consists of primarily whole grains, plant proteins (beans, lentils, pulses, nuts), unsaturated plant oils, modest amounts of meat and dairy, and some added sugars and starchy vegetables."

This style of eating not only is good for our pocket, but it is good our the Planet and our health. I encourage you to explore this style of eating and adopt it as a long term habit. At the mean time, enjoy the saving!!