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My husband is completely paralyzed and on a ventilator. I work full time and care for him 24/7. (I take him to work with me in a reclining power wheelchair.)

I am beyond tired, and very short on money because of medical bills. (We have insurance, but they don't start to cover everything.)

My health is failing, and my weight is climbing, and I need to stay alive or neither of us will.

I have been a fan of McDougal in the past, but never been serious about it. My question is...what is the very cheapest, easiest way I can do this? I can't go to the store regulary to buy fresh food, though I do have a freezer. Lately I buy a loaf of day old healthy bread and some sale carrots or spinach (lots of vitamins for the money?) and eat little else. Sometimes I will make yogurt, from mostly powdered milk. (Buying prepared yogurt is too expensive.) I am losing weight and feeling a little better.

Is this reasonably healthy? What would I need to add to keep from getting sick, that does not cost too much or require frequent trips tot the store? The bread I eat is whole grain and has some seeds in it so is pretty healthy, I think. My husband does not eat by mouth, so I am only feeding myself and have no interest in the food being tasty. Just really, really easy, and cheap, and sustaining.

Any advice? Thanks so much...

The cheapest, easiest way to do this is clearly outlined in the following threads

A Simple Nutritious & Affordable Plan (SNAP)
viewtopic.php?t=10519

Healthy Packaged Foods
viewtopic.php?t=10254

Quick Recipes (With Pictures)
viewtopic.php?t=7168

Simple, Easy & Starch Based
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=15014

In Health
Jeff

viewtopic.php?t=22365

Here is another thread you may want to check out

Sorry about your struggles and challenges, Jean.

I am sure that the links provided will give you much valuable information. I will give you my version of keeping it simple:

1. Stock up on the cheapest unrefined starches available. In most places in the USA, you can probably find either brown rice, potatoes or sweet potatoes that are relatively cheap (compared to other foods).

2. Stock up on cheap colorful plain frozen, canned and/or fresh low starch veggies (greens, other green veggies, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli etc.)

3. Cook your starches in large quantities (once or twice weekly) and store them in the refrigerator.

For meals:

1. Steam one or several veggies in a bowl in the microwave.
2. While you are eating your veggies (your entree), heat your starch (dessert) in the microwave.
3. Enjoy your dessert!

A ratio of about 1:1 in regard to veggies:starches will probably work well for you. If you are unhappy with your rate of weight reduction, you can increase the ratio of veggies/starches.

I do not know how you could make it simpler or cheaper and...I hope you will enjoy the food and feel and function better as your follow Dr. McDougall's guidance!

Please keep us posted on your progress!

Hi Jean,

I too am so sorry about your struggles and your husband's health. It's awesome that you are making a healthy diet a priority right now. As you wrote, it's important to you and to him as well.

I eat very simply, though I do like to eat some raw food which means trips to the store more frequently than you would probably like.

I usually cook up several pounds of potatoes or sweet potatoes or a big pot of brown rice and use this as my starch for several days, just like pinkrose suggested. Then my meals will be a base of raw leafy greens (baby spinach is my fav, and it actually lasts pretty well in the fridge), topped with more veggies (either raw or steamed) and the starch. I add a little bit of flax or chia to one meal, and some walnuts or other nuts to the other.

For ultra ease you could cook up a big mass of your chosen starch every couple days, and have canned and frozen veggies ready to go at all times. Really, that's it. Just make each meal based on one starch and a bag of frozen vegetables heated in the microwave, or a can opened and mixed with the starch. I don't need recipes to feel satisfied - I eat almost all my food really plain. I use a rice cooker for the rice, a big pot of boiling water to boil the white potatoes (after they come to a boil, turn down to the lowest simmer, keep covered, and time for 40 minutes), and a slow cooker to cook the sweet potatoes (high setting for about 4 hours). Very easy, very little time spent prepping or cleaning. Then I have plastic containers that I can portion the starch into that give me the perfect amount for each meal.

Good luck, you can do it! Find your groove and make it work - it's so worth it.

Hi Jean,
I usually cook up several pounds of potatoes or sweet potatoes or a big pot of brown rice and use this as my starch for several days, just like pinkrose suggested. Then my meals will be a base of raw leafy greens (baby spinach is my fav, and it actually lasts pretty well in the fridge), topped with more veggies (either raw or steamed) and the starch. I add a little bit of flax or chia to one meal, and some walnuts or other nuts to the other.

I also eat similar to this,very simple meals. I usually bake a whole batch full of potatoes . First microwave them for about 8 minutes then throw them in a pre- heated oven. Speeds up baking time but they also come out nice and crunchy. They keep well in the frig and I just take a bunch with me for lunch , heat up in about 30 sec. in the micro and they are delicious just like that, or a touch of nooch flakes and a bit of grd. black pepper. I like potatoes with a cup of soup or a salad. I never seem to get sick of them! I prefer baked to boiled as they are drier. On Sundays I usually make a big pot of homemade veggie soup for the week and freeze it in smaller portions.
Good luck to you, life is not easy for you right now, but this WOE. will keep you healthy.