What diet do you recommend that isn't so expensive
annmariew1810
Posts: 1
Hello. I was on the Cambridge diet which I lost over 2 stone in 8 week on but was so expensive. I came off the diet once I hit my goal and stuck to a strict diet still but unfortunately piled it all back on. Does anyone recommend a diet that you can still enjoy meals and eat healthy but doesn't cost a bomb. On Cambridge I was allowed nothing but there shakes and soups was hard going but done the job. But I'm looking into wanting a diet were can still eat meals and still get a decent weight loss. Would really appreciate your comments 
Thanks so much
Thanks so much 0
Replies
-
Eat the food you like in smaller quantities than you ate to gain weight. It doesn't have to be any more complex than that.0
-
-
How much do lean meat and vegetables cost where you live?0
-
I recommend the lifestyle change diet where you get to eat whatever you want (in moderation) as long as it fits in your day! It's sometimes slow going, but it doesn't cost anything more than your daily groceries and you don't ever have to go off the 'diet' and put all the weight back on!0
-
Eating normal food and practicing portion control, counting calories and generally being conscientious of what you eat is the most inexpensive way to lose weight.0
-
Count calories using my fitness pal. You can eat anything you want within your allowance. This at the bare minimum will absolutely work. You do not have to avoid your fav. foods and mfp makes it easy to be accurate and immediately accountable.
You can workout with weights to speed up the process and shape your body, you can do some cardio training to burn extra calories and improve overall fitness levels. You can eat 'clean' by selecting quality foods and tweak your macros (protein, carbs, fats) to best suit your needs. All good stuff
Virtually every diet out there will put you on a calorie deficit and give you instructions on what to eat, when to eat etc. In truth, if you actually look at the underlying data.....they will have you eating less calories than you generally do, and you will lose weight. There is no way around science!
If you need the structure, and support and regiment of a program...say 'weight watchers' be prepared to pay a lot of money for it. Yes it does work, and there is no problem with that. To each their own. MFP and calorie counting is amazing and works but some people are not disciplined enough to track every meal, and stay within a budget. In my mind........it is all about discipline and if you cannot learn some self control...all 'diets' will fail.
good luck0 -
The cheapest diet to live on is soda, PB&J, ramen or other boxed crap, cheap ice cream, cheap cookies, and snack cakes. Of course you can lose weight on that if you count calories, but you'll feel like crap and won't be doing your longterm health any favors.
Learning to soak dried beans overnight, drain off the water and cook them (assuming you've never done that) and then mix with whatever veggies are on sale is a great way to get a healthy meal fairly cheap.0 -
Buy yourself some chicken thighs from your local butcher. Here in Boston they are about $3-$5 per pound and two pounds will make about 6-7 meals. Then head over to the frozen food isle and grab yourself some frozen, unsauced vegetables. These things will range from 1.50 to 5.99 per bag and often go on sale (3 for 4$ etc) Grab a five lb bag of brown rice for about 7 dollars and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil or flaxseed oil ($10). If you have a store club card or can find a circular and don't mind clipping coupons, you can save even more money.
If you've done the math, a full shopping trip will cost you about $30 bucks for between 6 and 7 meals. That's roughly $3 per meal. (The olive oil will yield about 64 1tbsp servings)
Eating healthy and cheap means you're going to have to learn to cook. Make sure you watch a lot of YouTube videos and read a lot of books on the subject. You're have to learn how to properly season things etc. Of course there is always the crock pot....
That's it. I usually eat meals like this once or twice a day and they work well, don't break the bank, and keep a little extra in your pocket.0 -
I like this "diet". :drinker:0 -
Quoted for emphasis. Time to change your mindset, not necessarily your diet.
I like this "diet". :drinker:0 -
If you're like me you work better with a more structured plan? I have used Weight Watchers and lost just under 5 stone. The principles are very similar to MFP (ie eat less, move more!) - if you stick to it you will lose! I paid £11 a month just for the online stuff to begin with then £21 a month to go to meetings too. Now I'm a healthy weight I don't have to pay for meetings and just pay £5 a month for online.
I've tried other diets/cleanses and calorie counting - usually more expensive and nothing like as effective as WW.0 -
Iifym-not a diet a lifestyle0
-
Quoted for emphasis. Time to change your mindset, not necessarily your diet.
I like this "diet". :drinker:
^ What they said. You don't need a Diet® to lose weight, just a change to your diet in the sense of "the foods I normally eat." Eat less of them, and perhaps cut back especially on the nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods such as chips, crisps, biscuits, etc. and have more veg and legumes.
I've lost 59 lb. (over 4 stone) following this kind of "diet."0 -
Logging your food and hitting your calorie goals, while walking an hour every day for exercise. Drink lots of water. Didn't cost me a cent.0
-
Eat what you normally eat, just less of it. Fad diets don't usually work in the long run.Hello. I was on the Cambridge diet which I lost over 2 stone in 8 week on but was so expensive. I came off the diet once I hit my goal and stuck to a strict diet still but unfortunately piled it all back on. Does anyone recommend a diet that you can still enjoy meals and eat healthy but doesn't cost a bomb. On Cambridge I was allowed nothing but there shakes and soups was hard going but done the job. But I'm looking into wanting a diet were can still eat meals and still get a decent weight loss. Would really appreciate your comments Thanks so much0 -
Quoted for emphasis. Time to change your mindset, not necessarily your diet.
I like this "diet". :drinker:
^ What they said. You don't need a Diet® to lose weight, just a change to your diet in the sense of "the foods I normally eat." Eat less of them, and perhaps cut back especially on the nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods such as chips, crisps, biscuits, etc. and have more veg and legumes.
I've lost 59 lb. (over 4 stone) following this kind of "diet."
Another fan of this diet. It can even include Dairy Queen Blizzards!
0 -
0
-
Joining MFP. Preparing all my food and limiting eating out, and processed foods as much as possible
I stick with eating fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, lean low fat meat and fish, low fat dairy, whole grains, raw almonds and walnuts, and most importantly of all, stick to portion sizes.
I have been doing this on MFP for almost 2-1/2 years now and I am spending less on food than I did pre-MFP. It definitely can be done.0 -
MFP is free.0
-
Most posters have the same thought, don't diet. Eat the amount of calories of your normal foods that create a slight deficit, and lose weight.0
-
I've tried them all. Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, "The Metabolism Miracle". I even went on a liquid diet about 15 years ago, lost a lot of weight and then promptly gained it all back quickly.
The only thing that has worked for me is the old-fashioned way. Counting calories and lots of exercise. I limit myself to 1200 calories a day. Most days I eat very healthy and wisely to maximize the amount of food I can eat. I eat from all food groups. Some days I just need some ice cream, so I have it. But then I have to make sure I save enough calories for it. I walk/run every day. It makes a huge difference. I'm 49 so I need to move in order to lose..I can't lose much weight without exercising.
This site helps tremendously. Tracking your food is vital for making sure you don't overeat.
Good luck 0 -
Buy a food scale.
Weigh and measure everything you consume
Log these foods accurately on mfp.
Eat at a deficit, eat the foods you love, but in moderation.0 -
Here are 10 cheap foods that are healthy
1. dry beans (fiber)
2. cans of tuna (lots of protein)
3. whatever fruit is in season (usually apples and bananas are cheap)
4. chicken
5. frozen tilapia
6. brown rice
7. low sodium canned soup (or make your own)
8. the incredible edible egg!
9. cabbage
10. canned vegetables (no salt added) or frozen
I am a poor teacher and I make this work. You have to look for bargains. In fact, eating healthy is a lot cheaper than eating at fast food places. Good Luck!:drinker:0 -
You'd be better off spending your money on a gym membership. Things like the Cambridge diet are expensive!
As everyone else has said...just eat normally, but at a deficit. And exercise. Done. And you're more likely to keep the weight off.0 -
The low-carb "diet" (it really should be more of a lifestyle change) is very inexpensive. If you stop buying potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, oatmeal, etc., you will save money that you can spend on the good stuff. Eggs are pretty cheap, as are many vegetables, canned tuna and some cuts of other meats. Depending where you live, cheese can be found for a reasonable price too. You don't necessarily have to use all the sugar subs or buy low-carb tortillas, in which case low-carb could be expensive. Just keep it simple with real, whole foods (just NOT whole grains!).
I know some people say just to eat less food, but calories-in-calories-out just doesn't cut it for most people who need to lose weight.0 -
On Cambridge I was allowed nothing but there shakes and soups was hard going but done the job.
If it had "done the job" you wouldn't be here.
IMO you need a fundamental rethink of what you're doing.0 -
measuring cups, food scale and a good pair of walking shoes0
-
IIFYM diet. There's no special foods, in fact you can eat anything you want including the McDonald's dollar menu. The only trick is to make sure you still meet your calorie goal for the day while reaching your minimum protein and fat goals. I personally don't mind if I go over my fat and protein goals, I just take it out of carbs for the day.
Costco, Walmart, Alde's, plenty of cheap places to buy groceries too.0 -
How about trying either 5:2 or alternative day diet - that way you eat what YOU want not what is written down! I find it great and am having good losses each week.0
-
Oatmeal, rice, dry beans, potatoes.
Apples, bananas, oranges, carrots, broccoli.
Eggs.
You don't need fancy supplements.
Buy things when they are on sale or in season.
Freeze extras.
Don't eat at restaurants more than one meal per week.
Cook at home and make small portions.
Never let food go to waste.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions