• themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Fucking hell, have you ever tried to live on rice and beans? You need half a dozen spices and salt just to make it taste like not sadness, plus prep time, prep space, prep bowls and pots, and then you need to wash everything. Compared with a frozen meal that cooks in the microwave and a disposable tray for serving, there’s really no contest. A “rice and beans” lifestyle requires a stay-at-home partner who soaks beans and washes dishes.

    It’s a great frugal tip to stretch your grocery dollars, but if you’re poor, it’s not a moral failing to go with a cheap frozen meal.

    • distantsounds@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      I wish more people understood this. Beans are so good, but only if you can devote hours to them.

      • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        It’s just one of the myriad of recommendations people make because they don’t understand the problem. People think that the simple trick that worked for them would solve similar problems for everyone. Worse, they get angry when their advice is met with resistance. It’s like Napoleon feeding the alpacas.

      • dephyre@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        I know this outside of the scope of the discussion, but you can cook dried beans in a instant pot in about an hour.

        Obviously that’s still going to be a struggle for anyone where time/space/equipment are a huge factor. But it’s a big difference from letting them soak overnight.

        • distantsounds@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          Insta pot can help, but I don’t feel it add much value in the overall cook. Sautéing, caramelizing, deglazing, etc. takes time that no home-use kitchen gadget is going to help with. Soaking beans overnight is not the problem, as much as actual time it takes to make a meal. Planning, purchasing ingredients, prepping, cooking, cleaning…insta-pot is not worth the hype iykyk

    • jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 month ago

      You can make a relatively tasty rice with beans with canned beans and bit of salt in 10 minutes - if you are feeling fancy adding parsley will even move it to tasting good. I’m starting to suspect all the corn syrup is damaging american’s taste buds beyond repair.

      • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Two things, canned beans and instant rice cost more than dry bulk rice and beans. And your recipe for “salt and parsley instant rice and canned beans” sounds like it’s going to taste like sadness.

    • pulido@lemmings.world
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      1 month ago

      but if you’re poor, it’s not a moral failing to go with a cheap frozen meal.

      Agreed. HOWEVER, we should be educating people and coming up with new ways to eat cheap, quick, and healthy.

      Use your ovens, folks. Food like bacon and bratwurst turn out great in the oven and you don’t have to babysit them, either.

    • blarghly@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      1 can beans. 1 can tomatos. pour in bowl. microwave. add garlic powder, chili powder, pepper, cayenne. Eat.

      I have eaten this for months before. It is cheap, convenient, healthy, and tasty.

    • iopq@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      I lived on easy hamburger helper. Everything is in the package, just cook some ground beef in a pan and mix the rest of the stuff in.

      It’s not that hard, guys. You don’t need to eat candy to survive

      • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        That shit is full of sodium and really bad for you. Once they target sugar, what do you suppose is next?

        • iopq@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          Sodium is at least required for you to live. You can have 0 grams of sugar and be perfectly healthy

          • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            Sure, but if you eat a balanced diet of fresh food, you’ll get all the sodium you need. Nobody needs the sodium in an instant meal.

            • iopq@lemmy.world
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              1 month ago

              Not everyone eats balanced meals. Guess what is in a balanced meal? Sodium. You need it.

        • blarghly@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          sodium isn’t bad for you unless you are eating ungodly amounts. Typically if you get too much of an electrolyte, you just piss it out.

      • Ledericas@lemm.ee
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        1 month ago

        you really shouldnt be giving advice when your comments include, not paying for peoples food because you think they are only buying sugary foods. yet your here eating junk food.

        • iopq@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          I’m saying don’t pay for the sugary food, pay for the slightly more healthy food