'As a child I was sometimes so hungry that I used to dream that one day I'd get locked in a grocery store' - George Forman (former boxer and face of the lean mean fat reducing grilling machine)
Yesterday I embarked upon my shopping trip for my live below the line (LBTL) challenge armed with a carefully researched list and 5 English pounds. I went to a leading supermarket that rhymes with Alfresco and was focused on getting in and getting out as quick as I could in order not too be lured in by the amazing offers and bargains that normally would make their way into my trolley.
Whilst planning for LBTL I consulted a few different menu ideas through the official website and also asked a number of people who had completed the challenge in the past. I made the decision to go with three meals a day which does mean my £1 will have to stretch a further than if I restricted myself to two but I think it will suit my routine better. I designed my own custom menu knowing what I do and don't like and focusing on quantity over and above quality and flavour.
On entering said supermarket I was immediately confronted with muffins and cookies which if bought would constitute a whole days food allowance - already the scale of this challenge was firmly hitting home. The first few items on my list: porridge, rice and frozen vegetables are to make up the bulk of what I eat for breakfast and dinner and they were no brainers in terms of being filling and nutritious. That was £1.80 already gone but also 10 out of 15 meals covered. The rest of the items that made it into my trolley were for lunches and to bulk out dinner and you can see what I bought in the picture below (talk about brand loyalty!)
One thing that I found interesting was just what can be bought for £5 and equally what can't be bought for £5. My average days food in a normal week would look something like this:
Breakfast: Rice Krispies for breakfast with milk and sugar, a coffee and a glass of fruit juice
Lunch: Sandwich with ham, mayonnaise and lettuce, 1 (though often 2) packets of crisps, a banana, a cup of tea
Pre-Dinner: Some sausage rolls or 4 slices of toast with creme cheese
Dinner: A tomato based pasta dish with mince with grated cheese on top, garlic bread, a coffee and an excessive amount of custard cream biscuits.
The above daily menu is not the most extravagant and I generally think I am quite frugal but that still adds up to well over £1 due to all the little additions I am accustomed to (like garlic bread, having meat with dinner and all the snacks I have). It is these things I think I am going to miss as my meals are stripped back to their most basic forms with only some of them having a good balance of protein, carbohydrate and vegetables.
I was pleased with how much food I managed to buy with my £5 but now the penny has dropped that I will have to eat all this food next week...and nothing else.
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