Thanks for the suggestions.

The student budget can be a bit restrictive but I'm through phases of spending it on clothes and generally don't go out alot so I have money to cover food bills.

I'm off to the supermarket in a bit to buy the ingredients for the 'special mix' lunch meal, I don't see any point in putting it off, delaying things generally isn't something I do. If I'm honnest I might even be a little excited about trying some new foods!

I was thinking in regards to the ingredients for the week:
3 peppers
2 Lettuce's (not sure which kind yet, shall see what I can find, I usually use Iceberg but fancy some variety)
1 Cucumber
12 tomato's
4 Avocado's
6 Carrots
Cress
2 Cans of Tuna (with light mayo)
4 Chicken Breasts
2 Turkey Breasts.

That will be split over 6 portions effectively. If I like humous I'll probaly have a small helping of that too, but generally keep it for snacking.

I've actually got a spice shop on my road which is where I get my cinnamon from, I'll see if he has any nuts and the likes.

Get spinach and use it raw instead of lettuce.

Just got back.

I grabbed:
Loads of 'curly lettuce'
Loads of spinach
1 Iceberg Lettuce
3 Peppers
12 tomato's
3 Avocado's
Cellery
Carrots
Cress
Cucumber
Humous
CousCous

Grabbed some Almond Flakes and Cashews too. Nut selection wasn't brilliant.

and a few other things including a decent chopping knife and peeler.

I've not got a clue how prepare avocado's. Guessing similar to a mellon, chop open and scoop out the goodness.

Half it and remove the stone.

Then cut thin slices along the length without cutting through the skin. You should then be able to push the slices out by pressing on the skin.

Or if they're ripe enough, halve and pull out the stone, then just peel the skin off with your fingers.

I might try it that way. I usually cut it in quarters and peel the skin off. Doesn't always work though when the skins too brittle.

Looks good. a few handy editions i like to eat which fill a hole are;
-sauerkraut (VERY good for you)
-Gherkins
-Black olives
-Mixed frozen berries 'summer fruits' are best
-Natural yoghurt (make a smoothie with the berries!)
-sesame seeds (added to almost anything for boost in good fat and other goodies including sesamin for fat loss)
-apple cider vinegar for salad dressing (some great fat loss properties)

Just tell me to stop with the info if you're feeling harassed!

Karlos wrote:I might try it that way. I usually cut it in quarters and peel the skin off. Doesn't always work though when the skins too brittle.

Looks good. a few handy editions i like to eat which fill a hole are;
-sauerkraut (VERY good for you)
-Gherkins
-Black olives
-Mixed frozen berries 'summer fruits' are best
-Natural yoghurt (make a smoothie with the berries!)
-sesame seeds (added to almost anything for boost in good fat and other goodies including sesamin for fat loss)
-apple cider vinegar for salad dressing (some great fat loss properties)

Just tell me to stop with the info if you're feeling harassed!

That's a mouth watering little list! All good stuff there

Well it took me bloody ages to prepare it all but tastes awesome. Love french dressing!

I think the avacodos are a miss. I stood looking at the small range morrisons did have most being smaller than my testicles. I picked 3 which were about the size of a big pear. Though they are pritty much solid. If you've ever eaten edam cheese like the bit near the wax. It's eatable but not particulary enjoyable! How are they supposed to taste because I couldn't taste a thing!?

Cashew nuts get the thumbs up, as does Humous with sticks of celery, carrot & cucumber

Also how many grams of nuts should I be eating a day, roughly 20? I've got a bag of Cashews thats 150 so figured they'll last the week.

Cashews aren't that great. Almonds/walnuts/brazils are all far better. I get through about 100g a day.

Your avocados need to ripen - leave them out of the fridge for a few days. They should 'give' a little when you squeeze them. When they're hard, they're very unpleasant.

Macadamia Nuts are another good one.

They are, but usually very expensive.

Kool, I have some sliced almonds. The only health shop I can think of in town (other than the spice shop up my road) is Holland & Barratt, are they any good for nuts?

I've only popped 1 avocado in so far. Have another 2 still in my cupboard which say they are good till around the 10-12th so will see how they look/feel in a few days.

Whilst Cashews aren't great, they're better than no nuts? I'll see what other kinds I can get my hands on. I remember seeing some walnuts.

Cashews are ok imo, not quite the same caliber as brazils,almonds,walnuts or macadamias, but still good. Asda are not bad for nuts, less expensive than the other supermarkets.

Benny wrote:Kool, I have some sliced almonds. The only health shop I can think of in town (other than the spice shop up my road) is Holland & Barratt, are they any good for nuts?.

Yeah, you should find some there. I think they've got a buy 1/get 1 half price offer on everything at the moment.

Cashew aint as good but we are talking budget here and nuts are expensive as hell

Try and find a bulk supply of meats mate. I get my chicken for £3.70 per kg decent quality

Brazil & Walnut get the thumbs up too.

Anybody able to recommend some bulk supplier online? I'll pop into Holland and Barratt tomorrow and see what they've got.

Wondering if anybody can confirm this for me.

I'm trying to workout roughly how many calories my lunch meal consists. On Saturday I throw the following together and eat it over the course of 7 days, trying to keep portions as equal as possible (some ingredients such as tomato's and avocado are kept whole and added in as and when). I understand the rough amounts will vary but an estimate would be great.

2 'Curly Lettuces' - About the size of 3 fists
3 Peppers, red, yellow or orange, green
1 Whole cucumber
1 Lot of cress - a 3" by 2" container
2 Avocados
About 5-6 Celery Sticks
2-3 Carrots grated
200 grams of Spinach Leaves
12 Tomato's
3 Cans of Tuna
8 Chicken Breasts
4-500grams of Turkey Breast

I roughly totaled it up on Daily Burn and the lot came to around 3100 calories, so roughly around 450 calories per serving? Does that sound about right?