Vegetarian, no Fridge, little Money, what can I eat in Paris?
 

I am an American student living in Paris for 4 and a half months and am trying to figure out what to eat on a daily basis. At home, peanut butter was the easiest way to get a filling meal with protein but it is very hard to find/expensive here. I am living in a foyer with no refrigerator and I am not allowed to cook in my room.

Does anyone have any ideas about foods that will keep if left out in my room?

How about some places to eat? (I live in the 11th arrondissement)

http://www.flunch.fr/

check out FLUNCH cafeterias all over France and Paris - they have an unlimited veggie and salad bar and drinks price - all you can eat and lots of different stuff for, for Paris, a very low price.

Check supermarkets for deli items - like I like cous-cous dishes with only veggies, raisins, etc - can can a nice tub for a few euros. And make your own salads - carrots, onions, tomatoes will last sans refrigerator for days.

I would think your biggest challenge is protein and without cooking then I think maybe the deli section in monoprix for things like prepared lentil salads would be a good choice. And if you eat cheese, that is an option but an expensive one as I am sure you know. You might consider seeing if you know anyone with a good way (i.e. a heavy duty blender or robo coup) that could help you make peanut or almond butter to keep at home. You might also check out Naturalia Montreuil 119 rue de Montreuil 75011 Paris

Even though health food stores are expensive-they might have bars or other products that are worth it for you given your circumstances. They have peanut butter and at least it isn't Jiffy which is what most American markets and supermarkets in Paris carry!

http://www.naturalia.fr/bio-beurre-c...1671_1_506.htm

Supermarkets sell peanut butter, often from its original region in Africa.

Any market that sells canned foods will have canned beans--chick peas, lentils, kidney beans, etc. That will do for your protein. Buy the smallest size, mix it with whatever salad greens you have bought. As for eating out, I am not familiar with the 11th, but I have seen very modest Mediterranean-style restaurants all over the city-- they're often quite cheap, and they offer hummus, felafel, tabouli, and assorted salads.

Sounds like a great way to loose weight. FLUNCH cafeterias are interesting, but the nearest one to you would be in the 3rd arrondissement. I'd go with the Monoprix deli selection and check out any of the local markets.

The Marché Bastille, boulevard Richard Lenoir, is in the 11th, open Thursdays and Sundays, but closes by 14h00. Marché Belleville, boulevard de Ménilmontant at Belleville is open on Tuesday and Friday, 08h30-13h00.

As far as dining out, stick with lunch. You should be able to find some very good value prix-fixe menus at most restaurants, including Le Villaret, Unico, Le Sot-L'Laisse, Au Passage and Deux Fois Plus de Piment, all in the 11th.

www.happycow.com

Happy Travels!

Yes mu local Carrefour (not in Paris but they are basically all the same) has stocked peanut butter for years so go to a large hypermarche supermarket and you will find it for sure. Ditto to just about any American product except for sweet corn - fresh corn can be a hard find and then more like field corn.

Yes Monoprixs are everywhere and their deli items and even sandwiches to go may only contain cheese and veggies if you want.

How did you make these rather limiting arrangements? Surely you thought about this. It could be pretty unhealthy for you over all.

There are lots of Asian and African alimentaires and cafés in Ménilmontant and Belleville.

That is a problem, I stayed in a foyer in Paris, but it had its own cafeteria. Peanut butter is hardly the greatest diet nonstop for four months, the vegetarians I know eat a much more varied diet than that--beans, eggs, cheese, etc.

Sounds like you'll have to shop a lot, cheese isn't really that cheap, anyway. YOu need roughage, fiber and vitamins (vegetables and fruit).

I'll tell you what I think you can do, if you are a student, you can eat cheaply in many of the cafeterias/restaurants in Paris for students. I don't think you have to be a student at the Sorbonne, for example, but you must have an official student ID. You should go to CROUS, which has an office just on the north side of the Port Royal RER stop (39, ave Georges Bernanos). They should be able to help you if you qualify. You can get meals for around 3 euro. They are located all over Paris, one is near the Gare de Lyon and there are a couple around Censier or Gobelins metros, I think. Their website has addresses.

Here is their website with info and their address www.crous.fr

This PDF has addresses of all their restaurants and cafeterias.
http://www.crous-paris.fr/UploadFile...nvier-2014.pdf

I think you get a card and then maybe meal tickets or something. You can get that card by going to one of the restaurants shown on that PDF, go to their ticket clerk. You must have proof of being a student in a higher-level school (meaning university or college level).

Ever try French delicacies (???) not sure about that but specialties like Chestnut Cream (Creme de maroons) - slather it on bread just like peanut butter - bring some home for a unique gift to folks back there!

https://www.google.com/search?q=crem...=1600&bih=1075

How could you possibly never have found sweet corn in a French supermarket, PalenQ. <I>Géant Vert</I> has been selling that stuff since I was little boy.

I did not say I could not find it in my local Carrefour in Saran (Orleans) but it was only there sporadically and then tasted like field corn - and this is based on hundreds of trips to the Carrefour.

OP may also want to try Nutella in lieu of peanut butter!

You mean eat an Italian product instead of an African one?

It would be nice if you came back and responded on your posts so that we know all the advice has been acknowledged....

As suggested canned food may have to be your mainstay, all the various beans, plus vegetables like corn, green beans, peas. Fresh fruits. Whole nuts. Peanut butter. Whole wheat bread and crackers. Hummus (in small amounts).

Crepes and quiche on the street or from a bakery (assuming you eat eggs/cheese?).

I know you said no "cooking" but would you be allowed a small coffeemaker? You can make hard boiled eggs or heat canned soup in that.

cheese

All kinds of cheese and cold meat and everything fresh are an option if you buy small amounts that are consumed within the same day.