Just the basics

If you can spring for it buy some high protein beans or lentils or some other legume and mix them, almost every society on the planet no matter the geography invented rice and beans because it's so damn easy to store for long periods of time and will get you the protein and calories you need to survive.

Is it fun? No. But it will get you fed and it's an excellent base to throw in other things to spice it up. Get a little extra money and can afford a bit of meat and veggies? Sauteed them up and you get a full blown meal with a side dish and a porkchop/fish filet/chicken breast with your rice.

The price of rice is pretty high right now. It's still a good value, especially in bulk, but it's not as cheap as it used to be.

Make sure to put the rice in a freezer if you're going to store it for a long time. This is important to prevent bugs, especially in hot and damp weather. If that's not possible, sprinkle some dried chilis or peppers.

No, you wouldn't. The same amount of money going to dry beans and grains, some dairy and eggs, and some cheap protein goes much further. You'd even have enough left for fresh veggies and seasonings.

The intersection of poor and can't cook is just depressingly shitty and too common.

Also cooking takes time. I make dinner every night and even with previously prepped things it's usually 20-30min every evening. If I worked 2 jobs (12-16hr) I wouldn't have the time nor energy, either.

This person has blown money not getting the store brand. Driving farther to get real food cannot be that much more expensive, but let’s say it’s even $4 more. You’d get your money back buying a pound of apples. As someone who didn’t grow up with means, I know a lot of people with carts like this and it’s mostly just a history of bad choices.

… rice, beans, and a $15 rice cooker?

I’m as lazy as they get in the kitchen. If I can’t throw it in a pot, walk away, and walk back to food then it’s too much effort.

Rice and beans is cheap, quick, and easy.

That's all part of the problem though, isn't it?

I live in central Europe and veggies and fruit are one of the first things, you see when you enter a store. They're also really affordable and you can get them in pretty much every corner store all over the town as well. There isn't a place where basic fruit and veggies are more than 15 minutes walking/public transit distance from you within the city. Never had to drive to a grocery store in my life. Some places are even open at night.

Let's not blame the people for eating like this, when that's exactly what the system is set up for.

On a poverty budget a plant based diet is healthier and vastly cheaper. A bag of rice and a bag of beans is cheap.

I see you watched the Wendover Productions video.

Dude I feed 3 people a month on $200 with no assistance. And we eat healthy. We splurge a little too.

It's too expensive, sure. It should be half that. And some people live near a dollar store, I get that, they're eating cat food and Vienna sausages. But this meme isn't about those people. There are waaaay too many people complaining about the cost of groceries that won't eat anything that doesn't come out of a plastic package.

Lol this is complete bullshit. What a clown.

You see more green plants in the desert

This is upbringing and education. If you grow up in a household that eats well and values food and cooking at home surely it’ll make a difference. I wouldn’t solely blame this on the individual. America sells junk food way too aggressively and way too much. I reckon there needs to be restrictions on that and even heavier taxes on junk food.

There's ground beef there

That’s my thought as well. They NEED to buy the name brand items as well?

There are PLENTY of corners that can be cut, as well as buying items that can be made into larger meals (soups, pastas, etc.) that reheat well.

Whoever this person was needs to rethink their wants and needs, then shop accordingly to their budget.

Don’t be smug about it though. Cooking might seem like an innate ability if you were raised with it but intergenerational poverty is associated with a lack of education about things like this and also a lack of access to quality food.

If you’re time poor from working shifts or multiple jobs

If due to social class or race or intergenerational poverty you lacked an education about food

If contemporary race and social class segregation means you live in a “food desert” that simply doesn’t sell fresh produce

Have empathy. Obviously this person is suffering and needs help.

I mean I get it but when I was a kid it was "shut up and eat what's put in front of you"

Everybody forgetting about us "latch-key kids since age 6" gang?

A lot of the stuff in that cart can be cooked in a microwave, toaster or oven. Put it in, set the temp/timer, and that's it.

So, let's cook like someone with limited money and time then.

1 box pasta, rice, or whatever other starch. 2 cans of veggies, which veggies is a matter of taste. Cheese, whatever they like and isn't too pricey. Optionally meat, if you have room in the budget since we're trying to do this on the cheap. Shop sales since meat is usually the most expensive thing.

Preheat oven. Mix all ingredients and toss in baking dish, either topping with the cheese or mixing the cheese in as well and topping with some breadcrumbs or similar. Bake.

This is filling, cheap to make, holds up for a few days so you can have leftovers, and the actual time you are directly acting to cook it is minimal. Vary each of the parts and you have a distinct dish in the class.

For a variation, use mashed potatoes (even cheap boxed ones), carrots, peas, and ground beef. Swap out the cheese for a jar of gravy and that's Shepard's pie.

Beans and rice go a long way to help the food budget.

While your point is well taken, luxury brands?

How is this making fun of poverty all of those items are more expensive than healthier options.

Those are all name brand treats this isn't poverty this is just spending all your money on junk food.

The big problem is convenience is being shoved down our throats.
10 Years back, what was there that was convenient? Bread and then stack something on it.
Now every brand is trying to shove "REALLY EASY AND FAST MEAL FOR WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE 20 SECONDS TO EAT" down yours.

20 Years ago we just cooked and if it had to be quick we cooked something small.

Uk an automatic rifle costs like $10k right?

Like... just the Velveeta?