Cheap NYC Grocery Stores?

"cheap" and "time efficient" are a tradeoff in any major city. If you want to buy and cook your own food one solution is to look into grocery delivery. They're quicker and in many cases cheaper than buying groceries in Manhattan. For cooking yourself also look into at soups, salads, casseroles, etc. Any food that you can prepare a large batch of at once and then freeze will save you a lot of time.

If you're really pressed for time to the point that you're willing to spend some cash to make time there's any number of meal delivery type services.

Costco in Harlem - buy a shit ton of frozen chicken breasts and veggies for the entire summer. Chinatown groceries are really cheap if you want fresh. Another tip for being frugal: $4 haircuts on Bayard St in Chinatown.

Chipotle everyday

Oatmeal and banana with milk. Dirt cheap and nutrient-rich.

If you want to go bare go with oatmeal and full fat milk. Adding some of this http://us.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/flavdrops/10966230.html?autoco… (the toffee flavour is genius) makes it taste awesome.

Have you ever considered using Soylent? It's probably not the cheapest option, but there is virtually no prep.

I bring 5 tupperwares to work every day and train 4-5 times a week. It's a lot of work, but definitely worth it. Here's what I usually make:

• Breakfast. I cook eggs in a muffin tin once or twice a week. Mix up eggs, bell peppers, cheese, turkey sausage, and put it in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Much easier than scrambled, and it lasts for 3-4 days of breakfast
• Lunch. 90% of the time this is chicken breast and brown rice. I do what you said and cook it either on Sunday, or I'll cook 3-4 one night during the week. Crockpots require the least work. Just cook it over night and it's good to go
• Dinner is usually similar to lunch. Sometimes I'll do quinoa instead of brown rice. If you're staying until 8, you're probably getting a dinner allotment. I've had Muscle Maker grill, which has a lot of options. If not there, I usually always get some meal with chicken breast
• Snacks 2-3 times a day: greek yogurt, oatmeal, banana, protein shake, cottage cheese.

I've been tracking my calories, and it's definitely helped lose the weight I've gained sitting in a desk half the day. I don't think there's any reason why I can't get in the fittest shape I've ever been while working in finance. It just takes a decent amount of work and sacrifice. Feels dang good though (though I probably look funny with 5 empty tupperwares on my desk by the end of the day)

Invest in a 20 dollar slow cooker - Throw a bunch of chicken, greens, potatoes/rice, seasoning or salsa and by the time you are home you have a full meal with leftovers.