Need some tips on how to stay on track and create a healthy routines.

MeganReid1991

I am a stay at home mom as well as I babysit part time. So I’m very busy. We also have financial struggles sometimes. Which often leaves me with making Mac and cheese for the kids and not much healthy food for myself.
I just need tips not to give in and keep looking at the bigger picture!
I have a weight tracker on my fridge and I’m going to add some photos of before I gained quite a bit of weight. But I need more, trying to keep motivation.

kommodevaran

Buy cheap, nutritious ingredients, and make simple meals the whole family can eat together.

kimny72

Healthy food can actually be pretty cheap - tuna, eggs, beans, root veggies, frozen veggies, raw chicken parts, cabbage, rice etc.

Don't get stuck in the idea that you have to buy special "healthy" food to be healthy or lose weight. There's nothing wrong with an occasional mac & cheese if it fits in your calories. Sometimes people struggle to stay on track because they pick a track that's unnecessarily difficult to stay on

The healthiest routines I was able to start when I was losing weight were pre-logging my food and shopping from a list of basic, inexpensive ingredients. I still ate mac & cheese and store-brand ice cream sandwiches though!

jgnatca

The cheapest meals are home made but they do take time and planning. You get some time back by doing some bulk cooking. It takes just as much time to prepare a full tray of meatballs in the oven as it does to cook a single family serving.

Typically people who are reforming their diet are increasing their vegetable and fruit intake, as protein and carbs are needed whether you are dieting or not. You'll be wanting to pick lower fat items.

So check out the sites with budget conscious recipes and just watch your portions.

https://www.budgetbytes.com/

For fruits and vegetables, get sturdy vegetables that will store well, or get frozen to save money. I found my big wastage in dieting was throwing out vegetables in my ambitions I planned on eating but didn't.

dmkoenig

Agree with using frozen veggies and fruits to save some money and minimize waste. Also check into using dried beans and lentils as a really cheap but nutritious source of protein. Red cabbage - this is the best bang for your buck for antioxidants. For healthy and easy/quick, soups and stews are a great way to go. Buy some spices in a bulk section at a grocery to make them interesting, and find a few recipes that can be starting points. A large pot can last quite a few days and you can even freeze some if you get tired eating the same thing. If you want to add chicken, cook separately and and just throw in some pieces into a bowl when you are warming up the soup up. Chicken will turn to rubber and lose its flavor if you add the chicken as part of the soup prep. Good luck!