DISCLAIMER: I am not a nutritionist or dietician. These videos are simply vegan meal IDEAS, this is NOT a meal plan. Please speak with a professional if you are concerned with what food to eat on a vegan diet. I personally eat a very varied vegan diet and take supplements and have done my own research as well as speaking with a dietician about my dietary intake.
Try plastic free at Lidl. It actually works very well! They do lots of veg and fruit that is not packaged, lots of cheap canned beans and oats in card board.
Great video but I prefer Tesco stores so I would base the recipe on that. Sorry to hear that you suffered from a eating disorder. I used to comfort eat food (usually processed junk food) before I became vegan whole plant foods based lifestyle and it hasn't happened since so being vegan has got rid of that.
I’d like to see 0 waste/farmers market shop. I’m American so I don’t know what shops are 0 waste over there. 😬 On another note, your videos have been super inspiring that I can make more conscious shopping and cooking choices without breaking the bank! Thank you so much!
I think it's way more realistic if you use things from your cupboard! Maybe you could put two totals up, one with the extras and one without for those who really can't afford the extras x
Keep the condiments and extras in your videos as long as they're not the main thing (which they're not) cause it gives us more ideas and we can easily omit then
Maddie please eat whatever you want and just pop an additional $ amount so we know :) Also, "It's the week before my period and I eat the amount of food 5 humans eat in that time" was L.O.L. and so relatable!
These videos are helping SO MANY PEOPLE!! I would love to see more because it is also helping you if you are on a budget and it is giving you a lot of creative ideas for new meals
Victoria Arellano yeah if you have to, take a break for a day, then pick back up the next day, people just want to know how to live on that much for 7 days, im sure people wouldn’t mind as long as they get help for 7 days if theres a gap
Yes, use what you already have, it’s more realistic. Not everything is used week on week, especially condiments etc.. plus I think it’s great whether you have an eating disorder or not to have a young female role model who can not only live and eat healthily on a basic budget but to also promote the ‘eat what you fancy’ / ‘eat everything in moderation’ attitude and to also bring awareness to hormonal eating binges! (I need ALL the cake on the lead up to my period! 😂) I love these videos, keep going! I’d love to see a Lidl and ASDA week, please x
Before you started this series, I shopped at Ocado. Mostly for ease because I’m a mum. The last 2 weeks we’ve done our shop at Aldi thanks to your videos. We are shook at how much more we can get for our money. It’s crazy!! Thank you so much for doing these videos and showing how you can eat well and healthy for less money. Also you’re using mostly plants rather than lots of processed things and that’s even more amazing 🙌🙌
You should check out Lidl's Too Good to Waste programme! They put together 5 kg boxes of wonky fruit and veg that you can get before midday for £1.50. Any boxes that don't sell are then donated to food banks.
@@welcomeback2mychannelIt is! I work there, but it's not quite just wonky fruit and veg, it's whatever's been broken, so if a bag of carrots has been torn open, the carrots inside are fine so they're put in the box. We dont send wonky fruit and veg to the stores, it's just so all the broken fresh products dont go to waste when they are perfectly fine. If your local lidls dont do it, you should ask the manager as every store is perfect capable but it is up to the staff. We begged our managers to do it, it's a little extra work for us, but it stops wastage and sometimes if we're quick to the punch, we're the ones to get it lol :)
I don’t mind when you use stuff from your cupboard cause we all have leftovers from previous weeks plus somethings are totally easily omitted like the protein powder for instance, it doesn’t effect the idea behind the video. Thank you for keeping it real ❤️
you deserve so many more subscribers. such warm, cozy, positive vibes :) rather than excessive materialism/hauls/makeup reviews etc. oh, and you do a brilliant job of editing
Watching this reminds me of one of the documentaries (I think Forks over Knives) with the family of four eating fast food in the car because it was "cheaper". It's heartbreaking how little American's understand about nutrition and food budget. I Love love love this series. From Uni to families, it's sooo important and valuable. Plus you totally inspire new quick meals!
Alexandra Tracey so true many Americans don’t understand food budgeting and nutrition (I’m American). I’ve known families that eat McDonald’s like 4-5 times a week when honestly it’s more expensive. Eating healthy and just sticking to a budget is so much better for you and your wallet.
I tend to feel pretty privileged when I go to bulk or zero waste stores. I really wish it was more affordable and more of the norm. Tesco are making some positive steps to plastic free fruit and veg if you're plastic conscious and dont have a Lidl near you :)
Yes frozen meal prep! I'm vegan and always looking for new ideas for meals I can prep and freeze. It makes it so much easier to cook through the week and pack lunches.
I am so obsessed with baked beans! Potatoes and beans all day for me! Love how affordable and healthy they are! I'm really enjoying and gleaning a lot from your budget series! We're a vegan fam of SIX so our food bill is astronomical!
I’m not vegan but these dishes look so good and I love how your promoting a healthy affordable diet. I would totally make all of these meals I think your doing a great job here 👍🏽 also please do Lidl next!
I like you using cupboard ingredients especially since most will have them already, and the recipes aren’t dependent on them! This series is great to show that vegan, intuitive eating can be cost-effective and delicious. I made your recipe for guacamole hummus this week, and it was so yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipes and story 💕
Thank you for raising the issue of how it can be difficult to be on a budget with ED's, these videos are really helpful for being healthy and liking foods as its all so delicious but also affordable in these videos (and in a lot of your other videos!)
I'm not a vegan or even a vegetarian, but I've got to say you're approach to the shopping and budgeting and cooking of vegan food has definitely persuaded me into emulating your shopping habits/recipes. You make the switch to veganism seem so easy. I love the way you aren't at all preachy or condescending to new starters!!! You're amazing 😘 xx
I think the condiments are smart! Using the things you’ve already purchased and making dishes unique in your own way could (and should) inspire others to make their own take on the foods they eat to make it interesting and personal!
I love that you do these. I am trying to go low/zero waste, but am a grad student with no money and sometimes have to buy in plastic to remain on a budget. And I hate food waste, so I always use stuff already in my cupboard or pull entire meal preps together from what's already in my cupboard. Everyone eats differently and your vids are great for normalizing that:)
Thank you for sharing so much joy and love for food and cooking, as someone who's trying to recover from an eating disorder it's so helpful to see someone who doesn't pour all these rules and hate to specific ways of eating or certain food. It's also always so inspiring to know that you've been dealing with an ED too and to see where you are today. So thank you for sharing!
love love love this budget challenge! You guys have quite a few different things than Aldi's in the states so I love see the variation! Adding that noodle bowl to our meal plan
Thank you for sharing this budget friendly recipe. Budgeting better with my groceries has been heavy on my mind with all the rising prices. This kind of video is so helpful for me and I am sure many others right now. I try to budget best I can but I know I can always learn more. I make cooking videos too so you know I’m making lots of food so every penny I can save on groceries counts. I hope that we can continue to learn from each other. Never stop learning and growing!
Madeleine, these videos are really fantastic! I'm not vegan and not a student anymore, but am still on the lookout for budget meals and looking to eat even more plant-based meals than I already do. This is such a big help for inspiring me to get more creative with how I shop and cook our meals at home. I definitely don't mind you adding things like condiments or protein powders to meals. I think it's important to see a very real version of these meals, so if you would add those normally, I think you still should. It's also good to know for learners to see what they would be able to invest in, when it comes to codiments and nutrient-rich foods for in the cupboard.
I like when you follow your cravings! My budget let’s me wiggle in extras as a student and I think it’s much more realistic to not follow a meal plan perfectly!
After a few months of talking about it I’ve used your videos to convince my husband to join me in cutting down to 2 days of meat per week. I’d say definitely keep on using other bits you have already. As someone who has also struggled with an eating disorder it’s great to see someone showing a healthy and attainable diet that’s rules are not overly restrictive.
I love when you use what have in your cupboard, it's just way more realistic and it's important to use up the stuff you already have and to be able to eat intuitively 😀 lots of love from Germany
I'm quite new to this channel and I've already watch all your videos. I've been vegetarian for 9 months and I decided to try veganism three weeks ago. I'm only 17 and it's a bit difficult with my parents and everything but they're starting to accept it... Thank you very much!!!. Lot's of love from Spain. Btw Aldi and Lidel are also here in Spain. And when I went to England I used to go to Asda a lot.
Olivia Master Of Watermelon the best way is to get in the kitchen with them (and for them - always good to cook for your folks!), and show them how simple it is to make the little switches. And show them the documentaries or whatever it was that changed your mind (they are all available with Spanish subtitles at least). Parents are always delighted you care about ethics but it’s being healthy on a vegan diet that concerns them; that’s where it can be hard. It’ll take time, they might get frustrated, but they will be proud of you in the long run for standing up for your beliefs, even if they don’t go vegan themselves.
I like to sprinkle potato wedges with breadcrumbs (I freeze leftover slices, ends of French stick etc, blitz them up when you have plenty, store in the freezer) plenty of garlic and they go really nice and crispy!
I always hated peanut butter and peanuts until recently when I started cutting out animal products and tried Almond and Cashew nut butters, I gave peanut butter a try and I now love it. I'm not keen on it on it's own, but added to porridge, toast, smoothies etc and I love to spread a little on a square of dark chocolate and date nectar on top. YUM. It's amazing how our food tastes change over time.
I don't mind adding what you already have, cuz they are the stuff that if you put them out the meal still works. however when calculating the price it's better to calculate only the ones you bought withing the budget
i said it 5 times and im gonna say it again THANK YOU! these recipes are so easy and cheap, thank you! i need more!!!can't wait to try some of them, I already tried some lentil recipe from you and it was absolutely delicious.
Just roast the onions, it really brings out their sweetness x Cut the top an d bottom off and pop them on an oven tray. When the middle bits start popping up, they are done! Delicious x
using stuff that you already have is completly fine!! I'm sure most people have left over condiments and some other stuff and even if they don't, you're giving inspiration and it's up to us, viewers, to adapt and use your recipees with our own twist. Just my opinion!! Hope you have a great week!!!
As someone on a very strict budget, I think you should only use condiments and other things you already have if it's truly optional. Like, if that dish would be fine without chili powder or sriracha, go ahead and put it in and say it's optional. But if you won't get complete nutrition in your plan without it, like the protein powder, skip it.
Thanks for your thoughts! Never take my videos as nutrition advice of as a ‘meal plan’. This is just some meal ideas and nothing more, only take nutrition advice from those qualified to share that kind of information
Extras in the cupboard are fine.I will usually budget for them at the beginning of a quarter as they usually last a good few months or replace them when I run out.
I think it’s fine to use things you already have :) I found your channel 2 days ago and have since watched about 20 of your videos. I’ve been struggling to fully transition to veganism since January and your channel has given me so much motivation. Thank you for making these videos. 😊
People don't like seeing you eat the food!?!?!? What!?!? I've always found it really refreshing to watch you eat your food so joyously! Most people try food really delicately or not on camera at all which is a shame, it always feels like we get your genuine first reaction ❤
It’s great that you are showing Veganism doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes it can be scary to hear the names of ingredients people are using that you’d only find at whole foods or specialist stores. Thank you 🙏🏻 :))
I'm loving these budget videos and these meals looked so delicious! I recently did a shop at Aldi and i cannot believe how much food i could afford compared to Tesco!! I had money left so i was able to buy extra stuff! I would LOVE to see a farmer's market one, how exciting!!!
This is really late and someone probably already said this: flaxseed does the exact same as chia seeds (gut health, healthy fats, etc), they cost Wayyyyy less and also can be grown locally in nearly any Northern European country
I certainly don't mind pantry staples! I try and get one expensive thing per trip so it doesn't sneak up on me all at once. But it certainly helps when during times I can't afford much
I would like to suggest that you caramelized your left over onions then freeze them. I section them off in my container before I freeze them so I can take a smaller amount out at one time. Caramelized onions add so much to a so so meal. Great on get burgers or in pasta dishes with mushrooms. I also make a vegan version of French onion soup and serve with a baguet on chilly days. And yes, I do freeze chopped up onions to have on hand as well as green bell pepper. I realize that a student would not necessarily have the freezer storage but not all students.
Thank you for your time, dedication and transparency regarding your struggles with eating. I would never consider being vegan without being shown how I can eat well on a small budget. I feel people are being way too harsh. For some we only have the option of shopping at on maybe two stores. I live in a small town in Pennsylvania USA and Aldis fits my.budget brilliantly. As a preschool teacher I have found clever ways of o use the plastic and cardboard packaging (find a preschool, art or crafter near you we are ALWAYS collecting these materials). It’s counter productive to not to use what you already have in the pantry. The folks making the most fuss will. Remember people this is just an example make adjustments accordingly. Frozen veggies are my go to and I use almond butter for extra protein. Big Hugs & Blessings.
The prices for your food shocked me. I live in Ontario Canada and my shop for those things would be at least double if not more. I had to show my husband and then check some sale flyers and can't believe the difference in prices
Do whatever you want with this series, Madeleine! I always love your videos + the ideas you give me! Do what you need to feel happy, healthy, and nourished!!
I always load my spaghetti sauce up with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a splash of red wine. I’m going to try your recipe with lentils. I’ve already made your stir frys and the creamy mushroom pasta dishes. Loved them all.
You can also chop fresh veg/fruit and freeze it in reusable silicone bags or misc containers (whatever you have/prefer) in order to have the convenience of frozen/prepped food without all the packaging. Especially if your already buying/chopping veggies on a regular basis. Just chop extra and freeze it :)
Not sure if someone has already said something along these lines but I think it's good that you use things you already have in your cupboards because as someone who's only really started to learn to cook recently it's really useful to see what sort of thing is good to just have on hand for all sorts of meals! Would love a video about what you think are cooking basics / essentials that are most versatile and useful for relatively simple meals
How have I never thought about using soy milk with noodles instead of coconut milk!? That is genius, higher in protein and lower in fat too. Loved this video.
To add more chia seeds I cook down my frozen berries then add chia seeds and lemon with some maple and keep it in the fridge for the week. Chia seed jam!
I would love to see a zero waste challenge or minimal plastic shop, I love buying food from markets or wholefood shops, but I don't have any neat me... I would love some tips on how and where to find your local wholefoods shops and shops where you can bring you own containers to fill up from bulk bins!! I wish there were more places to shop that way!!! X
I love frozen veggies, less wasteful in my opinion because it doesnt go bad in a week. No throwing out moldy food. I do try to meal plan but sometimes my mom beats me to the kitchen and starts cooking something different and then those ingredients dont get used.
Everyone uses the ingredients they have stored in their pantry :) Bulk and zero waste shops would be interesting, although they are usually more expensive (at least in Hungary/ central Europe). As for supermarkets, Lidl maybe can be interesting since there are Lidls in so many countries. Great work, such an interesting video series! :)
Chia seeds and other "superfood powders" can be cheap if you know where to look. Home Bargains do cacao powder for around £1.99. Asda do Chia seeds for less than £2. If you don't mind going for "none branded" items it's a lot cheaper.
Love this series. Using pantry items is absolutely fine, methinks. Definitely interested to see the zero waste/bulk store shop. I'm doing that lately and find it kind of balances out overall - some items more expensive (but typically organic, so worth it) but great savings on other items help to keep things within overall budget.
I do a low waste food shop on £12 a week, refilling my spices and oils normally once a month for £6. I often have to go to Asda and Tesco (and maybe a farm/wholefoods shop if i'm after a specific veg, like beetroot, i can never find loose beetroot in shops that aren't in bunches of 5!) but it's worth it. I'd say £14 is probably the average for the week if you include monthly refills
Your videos inspire me so much to plan meals and hopefully spend less for groceries for me and my boyfriend, but I spend significantly more as I meal prep lunch for both of us every single day and then also need a big dinner, so a lot more food, after heavy exercising
Using stuff you already have is fine, people can choose to add those ingredients if they have them or not (they are marked optional). Great video! I think it would be interesting if you did Holland and Barrett
i didnt know you used to have an ED but kinda guessed, most people who are this into food often have or have had an ED but im glad your open about it, many you tubers dont mention it but its clear they have disordered eating (easy to spot from someone whos experienced it) . its bad when these you tubers dont mention it as it makes watchers think these habits are normal. thank you for being open xxx
Thanks! I like to be open about it as it will help others see a healthy relationship with food and I get lots of messages from people who have gone through an ED or who currently have one who say my videos give them encouragement in their recovery! I am definitely a foodie but also remember this is just a RUclips channel where I help people with vegan recipes and in my day-to-day life food is just another part of my day x
I like how you show us how to get nutrients while being vegan and still on a budget. Condiments totally don't matter for nutrition. In the case of protein powder, though, I'd love to see a budget way to get that protein in my breakfast. Great video as always xx
Yes it's fine the way you show it with the stuff you already have. The point of it is to show amazing ideas how to eat well on a budget and please use the stuff in your cupboard! I love these videos
I used to HATE peanut butter because my mum always bought the Sunpat stuff when I was growing up, but real peanut butter (my fav is Pip & Nut) is sooo good 🤤
Alicia did you know that SunPat sugar free peanut butter is one of the healthiest? Has nothing in it apart from peanuts. No palm oil, sugar or anything and a lot cheaper than others. I’ve reverted to Sunpat!
i think just go for it with the other ingredients you've got in your cupboards. You're exactly right when you say that you could make, for example, the smoothie without the protein powder and it would still be fab. It's the meal planning and shopping that is the really useful part anyway!
A good way to do frozen veg with less plastic waste is to buy them loose chop them in big batches and just freeze in re usable bags/boxes so it’s ready to use and less plastic☺️
your videos are helping me begin my journey to veganism! i love eggs and cheese so i know how difficult it will be but i’m gonna try your vegan mac and cheese and i’m sure that will change my mind completely :D thank you for your hard work!!! ❤️
I get pure hemp powder from Aldis for my smoothies and overnight oats / porridge which isn't expensive at all. I use a tablespoon a day. It doesn't add anything to the taste but all the other stuff adds plenty of flavour for it not to be s problem 😸😸
I’d love to see a minimal plastic/low waste version of this! My family is relatively on a budget, not too tight but we like to save money where possible and my parents think low waste shopping is expensive so it would be really helpful for us! I’d also love to see you maybe do the live below the line challenge where you live on £1 each per day for 5 days and only eat the food you buy with that money. Of course you’d have to decide if you are able to do that and if it’s the right thing for you with regards to being recovered from an eating disorder, I’ve had an eating disorder in the past too and I see how easy it could be to slip into old bad habits. I’m loving these videos though! They’re really helpful and the recipes are fab, I’ll definitely refer back to these for inspiration when I go to uni. ☺️💛
Everyone has spices and sauces hidden in the back of their cupboard so use them! Love this series - would really like to see a farmers market shop. Especially as it could help encourage people to shop local and in season too! 🥰
Love budget videos, especially with groceries prices going up & up. Thanks Most people have condiments, spices, milk & some items for smoothies. Everybody buys & adds stuff they already have to make meals.
Hi! Have you considered making your own veggie frozen bags or boxes? So, you buy bulk veggies from the farmers market or so, chop them ready to make and then freeze them in a box or reusable bag. This way, you avoid the plastic from the supermarket bags and can customize it the way you like it! :)
I had Indian for the first time in almost 20 years today. Made a sachet veggie Korma and it was delicious. My favorite meal recently is Thai red curry but I can’t make it like the local restaurant I love.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a nutritionist or dietician. These videos are simply vegan meal IDEAS, this is NOT a meal plan. Please speak with a professional if you are concerned with what food to eat on a vegan diet. I personally eat a very varied vegan diet and take supplements and have done my own research as well as speaking with a dietician about my dietary intake.
Try plastic free at Lidl. It actually works very well! They do lots of veg and fruit that is not packaged, lots of cheap canned beans and oats in card board.
Lidl! its cheap and is stepping up their zero waste game!!😍
Great video but I prefer Tesco stores so I would base the recipe on that. Sorry to hear that you suffered from a eating disorder. I used to comfort eat food (usually processed junk food) before I became vegan whole plant foods based lifestyle and it hasn't happened since so being vegan has got rid of that.
I’d like to see 0 waste/farmers market shop. I’m American so I don’t know what shops are 0 waste over there. 😬
On another note, your videos have been super inspiring that I can make more conscious shopping and cooking choices without breaking the bank! Thank you so much!
Lidl please. :)
I think it's way more realistic if you use things from your cupboard! Maybe you could put two totals up, one with the extras and one without for those who really can't afford the extras x
I agree. Protein powder is not something I use so having 2 prices to compare is a good idea.
Keep the condiments and extras in your videos as long as they're not the main thing (which they're not) cause it gives us more ideas and we can easily omit then
Maddie please eat whatever you want and just pop an additional $ amount so we know :) Also, "It's the week before my period and I eat the amount of food 5 humans eat in that time" was L.O.L. and so relatable!
These videos are helping SO MANY PEOPLE!! I would love to see more because it is also helping you if you are on a budget and it is giving you a lot of creative ideas for new meals
I don’t mind you using stuff you already have, just don’t make it overpower the things in the budget☺️
Please do LIDL next! LIDL is in so many countries so it would be awesome to see that 😊
? So is aldi?
@@veganryori we don't have Aldi here in Northern Ireland so I would love to see Lidl!
Doesn’t matter what store she does. It gives you an idea on cheap meal ideas. Adapt to your local stores. Simple.
Mariana Fonseca I agree do a lidl ...lidl is better than aldi in my area
Here in France my parents go to the supermarket at Lidl..
And I don't think we have any Aldi here ?
Don’t let the tube control your diet! The part that is more important for me is the recipes and ideas of meals
Victoria Arellano yeah if you have to, take a break for a day, then pick back up the next day, people just want to know how to live on that much for 7 days, im sure people wouldn’t mind as long as they get help for 7 days if theres a gap
Yes, use what you already have, it’s more realistic. Not everything is used week on week, especially condiments etc.. plus I think it’s great whether you have an eating disorder or not to have a young female role model who can not only live and eat healthily on a basic budget but to also promote the ‘eat what you fancy’ / ‘eat everything in moderation’ attitude and to also bring awareness to hormonal eating binges! (I need ALL the cake on the lead up to my period! 😂)
I love these videos, keep going! I’d love to see a Lidl and ASDA week, please x
use your pantry! it helps show how we can use not just things bought for the week, but also typical things we have in our pantry
Definitely use condiments and other stuff!! Thanks for talking so candidly about ed recovery
Tip: you can cut the onions and freeze it! Then you can use it like any other vegetable.....
Or put onions straight in the freezer, and grate how much you need (without the skin) then freeze the rest of the ungrated onion.
We do this when we get them on offer, we go through so many. Also they caramelise and stew down a lot easier after being frozen
Is you keep onions in a dark dry space they will stay good for a really long time, just like potatoes
@@iliketositandeat4718 I've noticed living in Florida that that is super difficult. Unfortunately we gotta keep them in the fridge
Before you started this series, I shopped at Ocado. Mostly for ease because I’m a mum. The last 2 weeks we’ve done our shop at Aldi thanks to your videos. We are shook at how much more we can get for our money. It’s crazy!! Thank you so much for doing these videos and showing how you can eat well and healthy for less money. Also you’re using mostly plants rather than lots of processed things and that’s even more amazing 🙌🙌
Flax seeds are much cheeper and have similar nutriens as chia seeds! Plus they not always come from the other side of the world.
PX Xaver chia seeds are only £1.25 in Aldi ! In Tesco it’s £4.50 for the same amount !
You should check out Lidl's Too Good to Waste programme! They put together 5 kg boxes of wonky fruit and veg that you can get before midday for £1.50. Any boxes that don't sell are then donated to food banks.
Mary M is this UK wide?
@@welcomeback2mychannel I think so!
@@welcomeback2mychannelIt is! I work there, but it's not quite just wonky fruit and veg, it's whatever's been broken, so if a bag of carrots has been torn open, the carrots inside are fine so they're put in the box. We dont send wonky fruit and veg to the stores, it's just so all the broken fresh products dont go to waste when they are perfectly fine. If your local lidls dont do it, you should ask the manager as every store is perfect capable but it is up to the staff. We begged our managers to do it, it's a little extra work for us, but it stops wastage and sometimes if we're quick to the punch, we're the ones to get it lol :)
Omg would love to have this at the german Lidl!
@@juless.9544 in Germany there is an app called 'too good to go', which works similarly with restaurants and a few supermarkets like Real or Basic
I don’t mind when you use stuff from your cupboard cause we all have leftovers from previous weeks plus somethings are totally easily omitted like the protein powder for instance, it doesn’t effect the idea behind the video. Thank you for keeping it real ❤️
can you please start making some freezer friendly bulk meals!
you deserve so many more subscribers. such warm, cozy, positive vibes :) rather than excessive materialism/hauls/makeup reviews etc. oh, and you do a brilliant job of editing
Watching this reminds me of one of the documentaries (I think Forks over Knives) with the family of four eating fast food in the car because it was "cheaper". It's heartbreaking how little American's understand about nutrition and food budget. I Love love love this series. From Uni to families, it's sooo important and valuable. Plus you totally inspire new quick meals!
Alexandra Tracey so true many Americans don’t understand food budgeting and nutrition (I’m American). I’ve known families that eat McDonald’s like 4-5 times a week when honestly it’s more expensive. Eating healthy and just sticking to a budget is so much better for you and your wallet.
I tend to feel pretty privileged when I go to bulk or zero waste stores. I really wish it was more affordable and more of the norm. Tesco are making some positive steps to plastic free fruit and veg if you're plastic conscious and dont have a Lidl near you :)
Can you do a frozen meal prep series? I work long hours and have to feed a family so on nights where I need a break, a premade meal would be AMAZING
Yes frozen meal prep! I'm vegan and always looking for new ideas for meals I can prep and freeze. It makes it so much easier to cook through the week and pack lunches.
Alysha Jagmohan Maddie please do this! I come home so tired in the evenings, would love to see this.
I am so obsessed with baked beans! Potatoes and beans all day for me! Love how affordable and healthy they are! I'm really enjoying and gleaning a lot from your budget series! We're a vegan fam of SIX so our food bill is astronomical!
ALDI is my absolute favorite grocery store! Great recipe ideas and tips! =)
I’m not vegan but these dishes look so good and I love how your promoting a healthy affordable diet. I would totally make all of these meals I think your doing a great job here 👍🏽 also please do Lidl next!
"I'm worried I'm going to eat all of the snacks on the first day." Me af lol
I like you using cupboard ingredients especially since most will have them already, and the recipes aren’t dependent on them! This series is great to show that vegan, intuitive eating can be cost-effective and delicious. I made your recipe for guacamole hummus this week, and it was so yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipes and story 💕
i feel like for the protein powder and stuff ITS FINE i personally dont have it but i'll just omit it its that simple USE YOUR PANTRY thats legit
Thank you for raising the issue of how it can be difficult to be on a budget with ED's, these videos are really helpful for being healthy and liking foods as its all so delicious but also affordable in these videos (and in a lot of your other videos!)
I'm not a vegan or even a vegetarian, but I've got to say you're approach to the shopping and budgeting and cooking of vegan food has definitely persuaded me into emulating your shopping habits/recipes. You make the switch to veganism seem so easy. I love the way you aren't at all preachy or condescending to new starters!!! You're amazing 😘 xx
I think the condiments are smart! Using the things you’ve already purchased and making dishes unique in your own way could (and should) inspire others to make their own take on the foods they eat to make it interesting and personal!
I don't see why people care when people eat in RUclips videos! I am perfectly fine with watching you eat LOL!
One of my favourite parts. Don't ever remove it please :)
Loll idk why but I really enjoy it. Like an ASMR kind of enjoyment.
I love that you do these. I am trying to go low/zero waste, but am a grad student with no money and sometimes have to buy in plastic to remain on a budget. And I hate food waste, so I always use stuff already in my cupboard or pull entire meal preps together from what's already in my cupboard. Everyone eats differently and your vids are great for normalizing that:)
I've been waiting for SO LONG! This series is amazing. It helps me a lot to be minimalistic in life. I hope you'll be making this series forever :).
Loving the content lately 😍 german vegan student here
so happy you’re doing this series but yeah, def don’t let it get in the way of your recovery, every vid you make is so helpful regardless!!
Thank you for sharing so much joy and love for food and cooking, as someone who's trying to recover from an eating disorder it's so helpful to see someone who doesn't pour all these rules and hate to specific ways of eating or certain food. It's also always so inspiring to know that you've been dealing with an ED too and to see where you are today. So thank you for sharing!
I brought your e book last week and am loving the meals so are my family. Anyone thinking of buying it best £10 you will spend ❤️
love love love this budget challenge! You guys have quite a few different things than Aldi's in the states so I love see the variation! Adding that noodle bowl to our meal plan
Thank you for sharing this budget friendly recipe. Budgeting better with my groceries has been heavy on my mind with all the rising prices. This kind of video is so helpful for me and I am sure many others right now. I try to budget best I can but I know I can always learn more. I make cooking videos too so you know I’m making lots of food so every penny I can save on groceries counts. I hope that we can continue to learn from each other. Never stop learning and growing!
YES to a plastic-free video. UK's obsession with plastic drives me INSANE.
Madeleine, these videos are really fantastic!
I'm not vegan and not a student anymore, but am still on the lookout for budget meals and looking to eat even more plant-based meals than I already do. This is such a big help for inspiring me to get more creative with how I shop and cook our meals at home.
I definitely don't mind you adding things like condiments or protein powders to meals. I think it's important to see a very real version of these meals, so if you would add those normally, I think you still should. It's also good to know for learners to see what they would be able to invest in, when it comes to codiments and nutrient-rich foods for in the cupboard.
I like when you follow your cravings! My budget let’s me wiggle in extras as a student and I think it’s much more realistic to not follow a meal plan perfectly!
After a few months of talking about it I’ve used your videos to convince my husband to join me in cutting down to 2 days of meat per week. I’d say definitely keep on using other bits you have already. As someone who has also struggled with an eating disorder it’s great to see someone showing a healthy and attainable diet that’s rules are not overly restrictive.
I love when you use what have in your cupboard, it's just way more realistic and it's important to use up the stuff you already have and to be able to eat intuitively 😀 lots of love from Germany
I'm quite new to this channel and I've already watch all your videos. I've been vegetarian for 9 months and I decided to try veganism three weeks ago. I'm only 17 and it's a bit difficult with my parents and everything but they're starting to accept it...
Thank you very much!!!. Lot's of love from Spain.
Btw Aldi and Lidel are also here in Spain. And when I went to England I used to go to Asda a lot.
Olivia Master Of Watermelon the best way is to get in the kitchen with them (and for them - always good to cook for your folks!), and show them how simple it is to make the little switches. And show them the documentaries or whatever it was that changed your mind (they are all available with Spanish subtitles at least).
Parents are always delighted you care about ethics but it’s being healthy on a vegan diet that concerns them; that’s where it can be hard. It’ll take time, they might get frustrated, but they will be proud of you in the long run for standing up for your beliefs, even if they don’t go vegan themselves.
I like to sprinkle potato wedges with breadcrumbs (I freeze leftover slices, ends of French stick etc, blitz them up when you have plenty, store in the freezer) plenty of garlic and they go really nice and crispy!
I always hated peanut butter and peanuts until recently when I started cutting out animal products and tried Almond and Cashew nut butters, I gave peanut butter a try and I now love it. I'm not keen on it on it's own, but added to porridge, toast, smoothies etc and I love to spread a little on a square of dark chocolate and date nectar on top. YUM. It's amazing how our food tastes change over time.
This video is a great example of being on a budget and including what you already have in your pantry. Love the ideas!
I don't mind adding what you already have, cuz they are the stuff that if you put them out the meal still works. however when calculating the price it's better to calculate only the ones you bought withing the budget
i said it 5 times and im gonna say it again THANK YOU! these recipes are so easy and cheap, thank you! i need more!!!can't wait to try some of them, I already tried some lentil recipe from you and it was absolutely delicious.
Just roast the onions, it really brings out their sweetness x Cut the top an d bottom off and pop them on an oven tray. When the middle bits start popping up, they are done! Delicious x
using stuff that you already have is completly fine!! I'm sure most people have left over condiments and some other stuff and even if they don't, you're giving inspiration and it's up to us, viewers, to adapt and use your recipees with our own twist. Just my opinion!! Hope you have a great week!!!
As a college student this is so helpful. Thank you so much!
As someone on a very strict budget, I think you should only use condiments and other things you already have if it's truly optional. Like, if that dish would be fine without chili powder or sriracha, go ahead and put it in and say it's optional. But if you won't get complete nutrition in your plan without it, like the protein powder, skip it.
Thanks for your thoughts! Never take my videos as nutrition advice of as a ‘meal plan’. This is just some meal ideas and nothing more, only take nutrition advice from those qualified to share that kind of information
I really don’t mind seeing you use condiments and extra things to add in!Thank you for this video it was really helpful! 😊
Extras in the cupboard are fine.I will usually budget for them at the beginning of a quarter as they usually last a good few months or replace them when I run out.
I think it’s fine to use things you already have :)
I found your channel 2 days ago and have since watched about 20 of your videos. I’ve been struggling to fully transition to veganism since January and your channel has given me so much motivation. Thank you for making these videos. 😊
Absolutely fine to use what you have on hand. It's still helpful to give people ideas and options. I'm enjoying these videos a lot.
People don't like seeing you eat the food!?!?!? What!?!? I've always found it really refreshing to watch you eat your food so joyously! Most people try food really delicately or not on camera at all which is a shame, it always feels like we get your genuine first reaction ❤
It’s great that you are showing Veganism doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes it can be scary to hear the names of ingredients people are using that you’d only find at whole foods or specialist stores. Thank you 🙏🏻 :))
I'm loving these budget videos and these meals looked so delicious! I recently did a shop at Aldi and i cannot believe how much food i could afford compared to Tesco!! I had money left so i was able to buy extra stuff! I would LOVE to see a farmer's market one, how exciting!!!
This is really late and someone probably already said this: flaxseed does the exact same as chia seeds (gut health, healthy fats, etc), they cost Wayyyyy less and also can be grown locally in nearly any Northern European country
I certainly don't mind pantry staples! I try and get one expensive thing per trip so it doesn't sneak up on me all at once. But it certainly helps when during times I can't afford much
I would like to suggest that you caramelized your left over onions then freeze them. I section them off in my container before I freeze them so I can take a smaller amount out at one time. Caramelized onions add so much to a so so meal. Great on get burgers or in pasta dishes with mushrooms. I also make a vegan version of French onion soup and serve with a baguet on chilly days. And yes, I do freeze chopped up onions to have on hand as well as green bell pepper. I realize that a student would not necessarily have the freezer storage but not all students.
Thank you for your time, dedication and transparency regarding your struggles with eating. I would never consider being vegan without being shown how I can eat well on a small budget. I feel people are being way too harsh. For some we only have the option of shopping at on maybe two stores. I live in a small town in Pennsylvania USA and Aldis fits my.budget brilliantly. As a preschool teacher I have found clever ways of o use the plastic and cardboard packaging (find a preschool, art or crafter near you we are ALWAYS collecting these materials). It’s counter productive to not to use what you already have in the pantry. The folks making the most fuss will. Remember people this is just an example make adjustments accordingly. Frozen veggies are my go to and I use almond butter for extra protein. Big Hugs & Blessings.
The prices for your food shocked me. I live in Ontario Canada and my shop for those things would be at least double if not more. I had to show my husband and then check some sale flyers and can't believe the difference in prices
Do whatever you want with this series, Madeleine! I always love your videos + the ideas you give me! Do what you need to feel happy, healthy, and nourished!!
I always load my spaghetti sauce up with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a splash of red wine. I’m going to try your recipe with lentils. I’ve already made your stir frys and the creamy mushroom pasta dishes. Loved them all.
You can also chop fresh veg/fruit and freeze it in reusable silicone bags or misc containers (whatever you have/prefer) in order to have the convenience of frozen/prepped food without all the packaging. Especially if your already buying/chopping veggies on a regular basis. Just chop extra and freeze it :)
Not sure if someone has already said something along these lines but I think it's good that you use things you already have in your cupboards because as someone who's only really started to learn to cook recently it's really useful to see what sort of thing is good to just have on hand for all sorts of meals! Would love a video about what you think are cooking basics / essentials that are most versatile and useful for relatively simple meals
There's nothing wrong with using what you have. Food looked delicious.
How have I never thought about using soy milk with noodles instead of coconut milk!? That is genius, higher in protein and lower in fat too. Loved this video.
YES YES YES YES I was sooo excited when it pop in my notificationssss
So excited to watch moreee, I love this serie so muchhh
To add more chia seeds I cook down my frozen berries then add chia seeds and lemon with some maple and keep it in the fridge for the week. Chia seed jam!
I would love to see a zero waste challenge or minimal plastic shop, I love buying food from markets or wholefood shops, but I don't have any neat me... I would love some tips on how and where to find your local wholefoods shops and shops where you can bring you own containers to fill up from bulk bins!! I wish there were more places to shop that way!!! X
I love frozen veggies, less wasteful in my opinion because it doesnt go bad in a week. No throwing out moldy food. I do try to meal plan but sometimes my mom beats me to the kitchen and starts cooking something different and then those ingredients dont get used.
Everyone uses the ingredients they have stored in their pantry :) Bulk and zero waste shops would be interesting, although they are usually more expensive (at least in Hungary/ central Europe). As for supermarkets, Lidl maybe can be interesting since there are Lidls in so many countries. Great work, such an interesting video series! :)
I love what you said about eating disorder recovery! Sometimes you just have to eat what you're craving to eat! ♥️
Chia seeds and other "superfood powders" can be cheap if you know where to look. Home Bargains do cacao powder for around £1.99. Asda do Chia seeds for less than £2. If you don't mind going for "none branded" items it's a lot cheaper.
Love this series. Using pantry items is absolutely fine, methinks. Definitely interested to see the zero waste/bulk store shop. I'm doing that lately and find it kind of balances out overall - some items more expensive (but typically organic, so worth it) but great savings on other items help to keep things within overall budget.
I do a low waste food shop on £12 a week, refilling my spices and oils normally once a month for £6. I often have to go to Asda and Tesco (and maybe a farm/wholefoods shop if i'm after a specific veg, like beetroot, i can never find loose beetroot in shops that aren't in bunches of 5!) but it's worth it. I'd say £14 is probably the average for the week if you include monthly refills
Your videos inspire me so much to plan meals and hopefully spend less for groceries for me and my boyfriend, but I spend significantly more as I meal prep lunch for both of us every single day and then also need a big dinner, so a lot more food, after heavy exercising
these videos are seriously so helpful for a vegan college students THANKS SO MUCH
Using stuff you already have is fine, people can choose to add those ingredients if they have them or not (they are marked optional). Great video! I think it would be interesting if you did Holland and Barrett
i didnt know you used to have an ED but kinda guessed, most people who are this into food often have or have had an ED but im glad your open about it, many you tubers dont mention it but its clear they have disordered eating (easy to spot from someone whos experienced it) . its bad when these you tubers dont mention it as it makes watchers think these habits are normal. thank you for being open xxx
Thanks! I like to be open about it as it will help others see a healthy relationship with food and I get lots of messages from people who have gone through an ED or who currently have one who say my videos give them encouragement in their recovery! I am definitely a foodie but also remember this is just a RUclips channel where I help people with vegan recipes and in my day-to-day life food is just another part of my day x
I like how you show us how to get nutrients while being vegan and still on a budget. Condiments totally don't matter for nutrition. In the case of protein powder, though, I'd love to see a budget way to get that protein in my breakfast. Great video as always xx
Yes it's fine the way you show it with the stuff you already have. The point of it is to show amazing ideas how to eat well on a budget and please use the stuff in your cupboard! I love these videos
I used to HATE peanut butter because my mum always bought the Sunpat stuff when I was growing up, but real peanut butter (my fav is Pip & Nut) is sooo good 🤤
Alicia did you know that SunPat sugar free peanut butter is one of the healthiest? Has nothing in it apart from peanuts. No palm oil, sugar or anything and a lot cheaper than others. I’ve reverted to Sunpat!
i think just go for it with the other ingredients you've got in your cupboards. You're exactly right when you say that you could make, for example, the smoothie without the protein powder and it would still be fab. It's the meal planning and shopping that is the really useful part anyway!
A good way to do frozen veg with less plastic waste is to buy them loose chop them in big batches and just freeze in re usable bags/boxes so it’s ready to use and less plastic☺️
your videos are helping me begin my journey to veganism! i love eggs and cheese so i know how difficult it will be but i’m gonna try your vegan mac and cheese and i’m sure that will change my mind completely :D thank you for your hard work!!! ❤️
Its really not a challenge. Its real life i appreciate your approach to these videos. Extras are fine.
I get pure hemp powder from Aldis for my smoothies and overnight oats / porridge which isn't expensive at all. I use a tablespoon a day. It doesn't add anything to the taste but all the other stuff adds plenty of flavour for it not to be s problem 😸😸
I’d love to see a minimal plastic/low waste version of this! My family is relatively on a budget, not too tight but we like to save money where possible and my parents think low waste shopping is expensive so it would be really helpful for us! I’d also love to see you maybe do the live below the line challenge where you live on £1 each per day for 5 days and only eat the food you buy with that money. Of course you’d have to decide if you are able to do that and if it’s the right thing for you with regards to being recovered from an eating disorder, I’ve had an eating disorder in the past too and I see how easy it could be to slip into old bad habits. I’m loving these videos though! They’re really helpful and the recipes are fab, I’ll definitely refer back to these for inspiration when I go to uni. ☺️💛
Everyone has spices and sauces hidden in the back of their cupboard so use them! Love this series - would really like to see a farmers market shop. Especially as it could help encourage people to shop local and in season too! 🥰
Love budget videos, especially with groceries prices going up & up. Thanks
Most people have condiments, spices, milk & some items for smoothies. Everybody buys & adds stuff they already have to make meals.
Hi! Have you considered making your own veggie frozen bags or boxes? So, you buy bulk veggies from the farmers market or so, chop them ready to make and then freeze them in a box or reusable bag. This way, you avoid the plastic from the supermarket bags and can customize it the way you like it! :)
Loving this series and all the budget meals. Thanks so much for all the effort you put into sharing your meals with us. :)
I had Indian for the first time in almost 20 years today. Made a sachet veggie Korma and it was delicious. My favorite meal recently is Thai red curry but I can’t make it like the local restaurant I love.
Hello Madeleine!!! I absolutely adored this video. It’s incredibly useful! Do you think you could make more of these? Love, Pia