Tips on What to Eat when You're Broke and Hungry

How to Save Money on Food

If you believe TV commercials, you'd think folks who are broke and hungry simply buy a $5 foot long or a Value Meal and walk away smiling, but in America today hunger can be much more serious. What can you do when the Social Security or unemployment check is days away and the cupboard is bare?

Food pantries across the country report that thousands of formerly middle class workers, the very people who donated money to hunger agencies in past years, are now turning up needing help. Supplies are running out at some agencies. According to a CNN report, more and more working professionals such as realtors are asking for help.

If you are used to finding yourself in this position, you've probably learned coping strategies, but if you are new to the world of living without, here are some ways to deal with an empty refrigerator. When you need to eke your way through just a day or two until money comes in, or have already exhausted the goodwill of your friends, you might try some of these tips.

Analyze what you actually have on hand
When the meat, fruit, vegetables and bread are gone, most of us feel stuck. Take a careful look through the cupboards to see what uncommon ingredients can be utilized in creative ways. I recently had head lettuce, but nothing else to make a salad. Luckily, I found shelled walnuts and shredded coconut left over from more prosperous days from Christmas baking. Herbs and spices last a long time and even when other foods are used up, I still have a good supply of them. Dried basil, oregano, walnuts and coconut sprinkled on the lettuce made it look and feel like a real salad, almost something from an upscale restaurant. Keeping that desperation attitude at bay is key to feeling fuller and more satisfied.