Today, after soaring inflation, a food budget limited to that amount would put a Pole’s health at serious risk.

The original guide, posted in 2015, recommended a bare-bones diet relying heavily on bread rolls, margarine, pasta and potatoes, accompanied by chocolate cereal. It served as a cheeky testament to the resourcefulness achievable on a tight budget.

The daily intake on this €23 diet included five bread rolls, 65 grams of margarine, half a packet of instant sauce, 200 grams of pasta, rice or barley groats, and about 80 grams of chocolate cereal.

One internet user wrote in 2015 that on such a diet he would often feel “stuffed” and even had some leftovers at the end of the month.

Fast forward to 2024 and the same amount of these basic items costs around €35, a jump of almost 60%, according to research by TVP World.

Overall inflation in Poland rose by some 45% between 2015 and 2023, data from the Polish government’s statistics agency indicates. But the prices of food staples have surged by nearly 58%, outpacing the general cost of living.

This rapid increase has made it difficult for Poland’s poorest households to afford some staples.

A 2023 report by MyBestPharm, a Polish firm that makes supplements, reveals that most Polish households have had to significantly increase their monthly food budgets. Over 60% of respondents reported spending more than €344 a month on food alone—equivalent to over 55% of the minimum monthly wage.

While the €23-a-month (now €35-a-month) diet could be considered vegetarian-friendly, following it indefinitely would not be healthy.

The World Health Organization advises that a balanced diet should be nutrient-dense, providing proteins, vitamins and healthy fats. In contrast, a month’s worth of rice, bread, and pasta—while economical—misses key nutrients.