I'm a budding chef on a tight budget. Here are 14 of my favorite things to buy at Lidl.

Chia seeds are natural sources of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Flaxseeds are rich in fiber and plant nutrients.

I top my breakfast cereals, porridge, and smoothies with both varieties for added nutrition.

I also use chia seeds to make pudding by soaking them in oat milk overnight. The result is a gelatinous base I top with fresh fruit and nuts for a quick and filling breakfast.

Both also work well as egg replacements in a range of baked goods due to their binding nature once soaked.

Bananas are great for a quick source of energy on hectic days.

Freezing them is especially handy to avoid waste as they ripen quickly. Once frozen, I like to add them to smoothies or make overnight cocoa-banana breakfast oats.

Bananas are also a suitable egg replacement in oat pancakes and microwaved breakfast muffins. I usually pay £1.15, about $1.50 USD, for six.

Dark leafy greens like spinach are abundant in essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium and iron. Spinach also has a more neutral taste than other leafy greens, so it can be helpful when cooking for fussier palates.

I will usually use spinach on simple salads or in quick stir-fries and breakfast smoothies.

The bag costs £1.29, about $1.70, for 200 grams, about 7 ounces.

Rich in nutrients including folate and B vitamins, cavolo nero works well as a replacement for spinach in a vegetable risotto, one-pot pasta dish, or hearty vegetable soup.

I paid just 99 pence, just under $1.50, for a 200-gram bag, about 7 ounces.

Lidl's sourdough is economical at £1.59, about $2, for a loaf.

I slice and store it in the freezer and then pop it in the toaster for deliciously crunchy toast whenever I feel like it. As a single shopper who likes variety in my meals, I would otherwise struggle to get through an entire loaf before it goes stale.

I do the same for the rye bread which is equally satisfying toasted with some nut butter and jam.

Alpro is a significant player in the plant-based non-dairy world, so I was delighted to find out that Lidl stocks a few items from its range.

One of my favorites is the dark-chocolate dessert, perfect for quenching the most insatiable sweet tooth.

It's not overly sweet and is ideal for a midday pick-me-up snack when topped with some banana or granola. It's also tasty on its own as a post-dinner dessert.

Minor Figures, an independent 100% plant-based oat milk and brewery company, is cheaper than well-known brands like Oatly at just £1.39, just under $2, for a carton.

Of all the plant-based kinds of milk, I've found oat to work best in mimicking the full-bodied nature of dairy. It's great for general milk uses and for hot beverages like teas, frothy lattes, and smoothies.

Tinned tomatoes are a must-have in the kitchen because they can save you time and money.

At 69 pence, just under $1, a can, they're really unbeatable — all without sacrificing taste. They work well in any tomato-based sauces like marinara or bolognese. They even work well in peanut stew.

Compared to plum tomatoes, cherry ones add a subtle sweetness and balance a sauce's acidity without needing to add sugar.

Compared to standard frozen onions, these don't become soggy once cooked or add excess water to recipes.

I freeze spring onions to use in stir-fry dishes and Thai noodle soups. I like to add the onions directly into my dishes from the freezer.

I like to incorporate nuts into my breakfasts, such as muesli, or use them as a garnish for salads.

Cashews are my favorite as they are incredibly versatile. I use them for both Alfredo-style white sauces and vegan cheesecakes.

You can mash, bake, roast, sauté, steam, and fry potatoes. I always make sure to have a bag in my cupboard, especially at only £1.15, about $1.50, for 2.5 kilograms, or about 5 1/2 pounds.

I like the Maris Piper variety for roasting, as its starchiness results in a fluffy potato with perfectly crisp skin.

Potatoes also have a neutral flavor making them a pleasant addition to stews, curries, and quick midweek side dishes.

I usually have hummus as a dip for bread or raw veggies such as carrots, peppers, or cucumbers.

You can also combine hummus with lemon juice for an easy and light salad dressing.

Lidl stocks a solid range of affordable canned goods, including chickpeas and butter beans

The tinned versions come premade which is convenient when making vegetable chili or a butter-bean dip.

My current obsession is a chickpea scramble, a super fast and straightforward meal made by using mashed legumes as an alternative to eggs.

Each pack includes a mix of quinoa, brown, red, and wild rice, and contains two servings at 49 pence, which is under $1.

Since they are microwaveable, they make for a quick and convenient side dish to stews and curries. They're also a tasty salad topping.

I particularly enjoy the red-and-wild-rice mix, which adds a nutty element to a hearty mushroom-and-coconut-milk soup.