Shoutout to the humble bag of lentils | Budget Friendly Meals

Spencer Murphy · 2026-04-01T14:45:06.039671+00:00

Back in college, I had to choose between a $6 frozen pizza or a $2 bag of dry lentils for dinner. I went with the lentils, boiled them with a chopped onion and some bouillon. It wasn't exciting, but it fed me for three nights. Anyone have other cheap, filling staples that actually keep you full?

martin.paige6mo ago

Ever think about how the texture of cheap food makes it more filling? That lentil mush you described is a perfect example. It's not just the calories, it's that thick, heavy feeling in your stomach that shuts off the hunger signals. Oatmeal does the same thing for me, just a gluey mass that sticks to your ribs. Our brains really respond to that physical bulk, so the mushiest, cheapest foods can actually be the most satisfying.

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paigesullivan6mo ago

My old self would have picked the pizza.

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felix_henderson546mo ago

That "gluey mass" thing is spot on. It reminds me of this potato soup I used to make, just boiled potatoes smashed into a paste with some milk. It was like eating warm wallpaper paste but man did it stick with you. @paigesullivan, you mentioning the pizza choice is real, because that soup felt like a punishment compared to delivery. But you learn that full feeling is what matters when the budget is tight. It's not about taste, it's about turning off the hunger noise so you can think about something else.

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