"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.

 
goblan:

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.

Hey I actually live near chinatown - are there any specific grocery stores you recommend? Also, the 4$ haircuts are they decent? Thanks !

 
Best Response

Buy those huge bags of brown rice, chicken thighs (not as low fat as breasts but they're like a buck a pound and taste much better), frozen veg, Goya beans, salsa, tortillas and whatever else you like. In a deep baking dish put the chicken thighs in with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and bake at 300 for 2-3 hrs. When it's cool pull off the meat from the bones. Cook a shit ton of rice. That's the chipotle burrito or bowl and can honestly take you through a week for $15-20. I did this by accident when my wife accidentally bought 10 lbs of chicken thighs and now we have homemade chipotle a few times per week. We do it not for the money but BC we have kids and taking kids out is a bitch but we were sitting there one day and my wife mentioned she wasn't spending any money on groceries and that's was why. You can do the same with pork butt and have carnitas. Make both crispy by broiling it after it's off the bone.

Eggs for breakfast. Frozen veggies are really cheap and obviously don't go bad. Sweet potatoes in the microwave. You should also get dinner at the office.

 
Dingdong08:

Buy those huge bags of brown rice, chicken thighs (not as low fat as breasts but they're like a buck a pound and taste much better), frozen veg, Goya beans, salsa, tortillas and whatever else you like. In a deep baking dish put the chicken thighs in with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and bake at 300 for 2-3 hrs. When it's cool pull off the meat from the bones. Cook a shit ton of rice. That's the chipotle burrito or bowl and can honestly take you through a week for $15-20. I did this by accident when my wife accidentally bought 10 lbs of chicken thighs and now we have homemade chipotle a few times per week. We do it not for the money but BC we have kids and taking kids out is a bitch but we were sitting there one day and my wife mentioned she wasn't spending any money on groceries and that's was why. You can do the same with pork butt and have carnitas. Make both crispy by broiling it after it's off the bone.

Eggs for breakfast. Frozen veggies are really cheap and obviously don't go bad. Sweet potatoes in the microwave. You should also get dinner at the office.

This is great advice! I will do this. Thanks ! :D

 

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)

 

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