Eating vegan or plant-based should not be hard or expensive so go to Aldi and you too can make cheap, fast, and vegan meals with these simple finds! Grab your favorite can of beans, a package of prepared rice and quinoa blend, some delicious sugar-free salsa, and last but not least, fresh cilantro and lime juice. Microwave for 90 seconds, and you have an amazingly cheap, and vegan meal at your fingertips!
How is it Cheap, Fast, and Vegan?
Beans, rice, and salsa are all very cheap (I do it cheaper by soaking beans myself. Learn how here). You can usually find them under $1/can unless they are organic. The brown rice/quinoa blend was a little over $2 which is a decent price given how expensive quinoa has become (this article explains why it’s costly). Salsa also, is cheap and the jar I bought was under $2 (prices vary)
Second, it’s fast thanks to the parboiled whole grains, soaked beans, and prepared salsa! You can easily add all your ingredients into a mixing bowl, microwave for 90 seconds, and bam! Dinner is served!
Third, it’s vegan in that none of these products contain any meat, dairy, eggs, or honey. (To read why I made the change to plant-based, click here).
Why is it healthy?
Fiber-You get it from the beans, quinoa, and brown rice! It helps to clean out the intestinal tract, and another benefit: it helps with bloating and weight loss. In addition, fiber is also food for your good gut bacteria and keeps them healthy which makes them better able to help fight off infections. Yeah, it’s kind of a big deal to eat your fiber which you only get from fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains!
Protein-I want to highlight the quinoa: quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. One cup cooked has 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber! Besides, it helps you feel full longer!
Blood sugar regulation-Thanks to the beans being a great source of fiber, they help to stabilize your blood glucose levels. When they are high, as a result, your body has inflammation (the 5 most common signs are redness, pain, swelling, warmth, and loss of movement per this article) and studies show that keeping your blood sugar stable will help to avoid inflammation.
Conclusion
In summary, Aldi has some amazing products that can help you eat healthy and affordable meals so be sure to check out the one nearest you! Also, you could serve it with tortilla chips and supper is ready! I love to hear from you so leave me a comment with your favorite cheap meal! Until next time, I’ll see you in the kitchen!
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Ashley says
Love this recipe super easy for lunch or a quick light dinner will make again soon. 🤩
Benjamin Van Goor says
So glad to hear!! Yes, we make this every week it seems! Kids love simple 😍