The bulk of my diet is unflavored plant matter in an effort to reduce acid reflux and complications related to gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Thanks to a childhood of eating from our garden and local farms I like this food, and to sweeten the deal it is cheap, even if buying certified organic seeds:
Soaking 718g (dry weight) of equal parts beans (black, garbanzo, mung, adzuki), brown lentils, and a double portion of hard red wheat seeds in water for about half a day, rinsing 2-3 times a day for the next few days until the radicle is long enough (this isn't rocket science), and putting half in the fridge while starting in on the rest, lasts me a whole week as the basis for the day's food (augmented with homemade kimchi, nutritional yeast, beets, apples, and zucchini recently- so, not exactly unflavored, but minimal spices and low acidity going in).
The cost, based on the five-pound bags of these seeds I bulk-order from our local food cooperative, comes out to $0.61/week.
I also find that I don't need to drink as much water throughout the day, as the seeds soak up a lot, and I add water for cooking (in the microwave, at 30% power for 10-15 minutes). GERD symptoms have subsided over the past couple months eating like this. Symptoms worsen if I eat too much at once and/or if I consume chocolate, citrus, tomatoes, maybe dairy, and coffee & alcohol (both of which I'd already given up for other reasons).
Sharing this in case it helps anyone make changes towards better health.
Soaking 718g (dry weight) of equal parts beans (black, garbanzo, mung, adzuki), brown lentils, and a double portion of hard red wheat seeds in water for about half a day, rinsing 2-3 times a day for the next few days until the radicle is long enough (this isn't rocket science), and putting half in the fridge while starting in on the rest, lasts me a whole week as the basis for the day's food (augmented with homemade kimchi, nutritional yeast, beets, apples, and zucchini recently- so, not exactly unflavored, but minimal spices and low acidity going in).
The cost, based on the five-pound bags of these seeds I bulk-order from our local food cooperative, comes out to $0.61/week.
I also find that I don't need to drink as much water throughout the day, as the seeds soak up a lot, and I add water for cooking (in the microwave, at 30% power for 10-15 minutes). GERD symptoms have subsided over the past couple months eating like this. Symptoms worsen if I eat too much at once and/or if I consume chocolate, citrus, tomatoes, maybe dairy, and coffee & alcohol (both of which I'd already given up for other reasons).
Sharing this in case it helps anyone make changes towards better health.