Budget Dieting
workinprogress1533
Posts: 25
Well I am back and ready to start eating better and feeling better again. I just recently stopped smoking (11/4/12) and gained 12 pounds as a result. This was after logging and dieting for 2 months and losing 10 pounds.
Now those cravings to smoke are gone and I want to lose this extra weight.
The motivation is there. What I lack is the money.
I have a cabinet full of Lipton Pasta mixes and Spaghettios. I did well all day yesterday but when I got home from work, all I had to make was smoked sausage and fried potatoes. The other alternative was not eating at all.
I don't have to money to go out and buy all new healthy foods. I wish I could.
Any suggestions on how to eat healthy on a budget? I'm really stuggling here.
Now those cravings to smoke are gone and I want to lose this extra weight.
The motivation is there. What I lack is the money.
I have a cabinet full of Lipton Pasta mixes and Spaghettios. I did well all day yesterday but when I got home from work, all I had to make was smoked sausage and fried potatoes. The other alternative was not eating at all.
I don't have to money to go out and buy all new healthy foods. I wish I could.
Any suggestions on how to eat healthy on a budget? I'm really stuggling here.
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Replies
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Do you have an Aldi? They have affordable prices and lots of healthy choices. I'm on a budget too but I can shop for a family of 4 on about $150 and get lots of healthy food0
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Cans of Tuna with Lemon Pepper, and Sandwiches when you are sick of the tuna!
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Smaller portions sizes of the unhealthy stuff and add some healthy stuff to it (veggies and fruits, etc.). When you shop again just start buying healthier alternatives. I understand being on a budget and not being able to toss everything out and start fresh.0
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Try a costco/bottom dollar foods/ BJ's/Walmart, etc They all have better food prices than a regular store (assuming you're in the US)0
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this is my problem too. i do the coupon thing but all that stuff you can get is so calorie dense. As far as fresh veggies and such- farmers markets are good in the spring and summer but food is just so expensive. But i do agree with the Aldis for fresh fruit and veggies.0
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I am a "coupon and only buy on sale" person. I scour the ads with my coupon organizer and try to only buy what is on sale and try to match a coupon with it. I can also earn fuel points and that helps too.0
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Keep your eye out for sales and coupons. Eating fruits/veggies that are in season and local will be cheaper also. If you have somewhere you can buy items in bulk like beans, nuts, grains, it will save you money.0
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we are also super tight w/ our money too. I do buy the bag of frozen chicken tenders, its alot in there because they are so small for around 6.00 last me about 3 meals w/ a family of 5. grilled chicken tenders and potato. i make chicken tacos w/ onion rotel and a little bit of taco seasning. I eat boiled eggs for breakfast alot. super cheap. and i get a few banana's and apples whatevers on sale. you can buy a pack of flour tortillas and and make roll up w/ just about anything eggs, chicken, peanut butter & banana is my fav.0
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there are always specials at the local grocery stores on frozen healthy meals like lean cuizine, etc. usually they do a "3 for $5" or something like that. What I have learned is that I cant have ANY JUNK IN THE HOUSE (or I will find an excuse to eat it). If your ONLY options are healthy...then you have to do it..or take the "drive of shame" to a fast food place. I like having healthy soups on hand with a loaf of whole wheat bread..so I can at least make toast and soup. I also "pre" prepare for the week the best I can..I bake chicken breasts and sweet potatoes ahead of time (on the weekend) for a quick warm up during the week.
So bottom line is KEEP THAT JUNK OUT OF THE HOUSE! and plan your meals ahead of the time for the week (you cant eat sausage and potatoes if you don't buy them)
Oh yea and eggs are great and cheap. Make an egg casserole with turkey bacon and lots of veggies (buy a prepackaged stir fry mix or a can of mixed veggies to dump into the casserole mix)...that will last you all week too! great for breakfast!0 -
Also you'd be surprised how many bulk foods you can find online for cheaper (not fresh foods obviously). Amazon has good prices on tofu for instance.0
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To stretch what you already have, add some veggies to the meal. I understand that you can't throw out what you have, but to eat less of it, add veggies. Canned or frozen, whichever you can afford, but it will add some substance to your pasta meals. Do don't state whether you are cooking for a family or not. I know Aldi's is available, but you can get things at Dolllar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General. You just have to shop around.0
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My wife and I do this. If you have an aldi around, you're doing yourself a disservice by not going.Do you have an Aldi? They have affordable prices and lots of healthy choices. I'm on a budget too but I can shop for a family of 4 on about $150 and get lots of healthy food0 -
Pinterest has a ton of ideas, here's one I saw recently
http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2011/06/freezer-meals-on-cheap.html0 -
Do you have an Aldi? They have affordable prices and lots of healthy choices. I'm on a budget too but I can shop for a family of 4 on about $150 and get lots of healthy food
is that 150 a month?0 -
I find that buying fresh fruits/veggies is actually CHEAPER than buying processed foods.
Once a week we stock up on the fresh stuff at a local 'green market' and then just buy a little protein (chicken, lean pork) from the grocery store.
Never realized how much we spent on junk - mac n cheese, hot dogs, bags of chips, cans of soup (sodium overload!)
I dont have any children (yet) so my bf and I have plenty of time to plan our meals for the week.
Everyones situation is different, but even a quick dinner can be healthy if you put some thought into it.0 -
Aldi. I'm ALL about the produce there. I've never EVER been disappointed in it. Their eggs are SUPER cheap, too (usually run around $.69 a DOZEN here). You won't be disappointed.0
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Smaller portions sizes of the unhealthy stuff and add some healthy stuff to it (veggies and fruits, etc.). When you shop again just start buying healthier alternatives. I understand being on a budget and not being able to toss everything out and start fresh.
This!
Also, learn to use coupons! I'm not sure where you are but there are a lot of websites that do all the coupon matchups for you so all you have to do is make lists of what you need track down the coupons and shop! Even saving on toiletries and cleaning aids will help to spend that money on lean meats and veggies that you may not have coupons for! (google what ever store you shop at + coupon match up)
I stock up on things when they are on sale and on regular weekly shopping trips only need to buy milk yogurt and fresh veggies. Takes practice but it's so very worth it!!
Congrats on quitting smoking from one ex-smoker to another!!!!0 -
Thanks everyone! I plan on starting to buy healthier foods as I go. Next time I go grocery shopping, I will buy good foods, I just can't right now. I will make due with what I have and just eat less of the bad stuff. I do have lots of eggs, so the boiled egg idea is something I will use. I could also go get some bananas and apples and some soup for now!
There is an Aldi's about 30 minutes from me. I've never been but I think I will give it a try!
Thanks again!0 -
frozen frozen frozen. don't bother with fresh veggies, frozen veggies are just as (if not more) nutrient dense than fresh and it's much much cheaper. frozen fruit on the other hand is WAY more expensive.
buy frozen chicken - unseasoned, unprepared, just raw frozen chicken. once you add seasonings/preparation then the price/lb goes way up.
also canned beans, particularly kidney and black beans. they are high in protein but also high in carbs. you can eat 1/2 c. cooked and feel quite full. if you're savvy enough to soak beans the night before, then bagged, dry beans are practically pennies.0 -
FREEZER BAGS + LEAN PROTEIN ON SALE IN BULK !! Actually anything healthy you can freeze in bulk 0
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I'm on a budget too and have to feed a family of 5 so I know how hard it is. We eat a lot of chicken...I try to find it on sale at one of the nearby grocery stores and when I do I usually buy a few packages. This week I bought the chicken tenderloins in a bag. Not my first choice but they were on sale for 2 3lb bags/$5. I also buy the romaine hearts and some tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados for my lunchtime salad (usually with a hard boiled egg or two) and eat eggs almost every morning for breakfast. Someone shared this website this weekend too...which I really enjoyed.
http://www.poorgirleatswell.com
I also only buy frozen veggies in the winter time because they are cheaper, generally have more nutrition than the out-of-season fresh counterparts, and don't go bad.0 -
The trick is to buy your meat on sale and in bulk when it is and freeze it. I'll buy purdue split chicken breasts when they're on sale for $1.99 a pound. I can turn two breasts into a pot of vegetable rice chicken stew that lasts for many meals all week. I also shop at Aldi for fresh vegetables at a fraction of the cost of Kroger...they also have great frozen vegetables for $1. Their oats are $2 for a huge canister...and the eggs there are always the best price..also buy those for two weeks at a time when they go down to .69.
It is amazing how much you can save when you put your mind to it..and eat healthy..and then you look back and feel silly for buying food at high prices just because it is easy.0 -
the key is planning - if you buy something and only need half for a recipe plan to cook something else with the rest so that it doesn't go to waste. also cook from scratch - use things like dried beans and i think frozen veg is better than canned (retains more nutrients) if fresh is too expensive - but do stick to seasonal. I'm in UK so think we might have it a bit easier. But I really think planning is key - just buy what you need. Stretch meat out by padding it out with veg/pulse. I made a chilli con carne and added red lentils once - could hardly tell the difference. Buy cheap cuts if meat just cook longer and also meat on the bone - I buy a whole chicken and joint it and make a stock with the carcass for soups...much cheaper than buy just breast meat. It might take a while getting used to but once you get into the swing of it stuff like that will come 'naturally' and take less time.
Agree easier not to have junk in the house but just use it up, add veg and just log the calories as someone else suggested. i don't know where you live but 'ethnic' shops in UK are often far cheaper for buying things like rice and lentils - perhaps it's the same where you are.
Good luck!0 -
Aldi and other discount stores are great. I'm in Iowa and we have a chain called Fareway. Not as pretty when you walk in, but it's got the same stuff and averages about 25% less than the other grocery chains in my area.
I agree coupons (in our house) are worthless because it's pre-packaged food. Watch for sales on chicken breasts and what not and stock up. If you live in a quasi-rural area, look into buying a quarter beef. See if family will go in on it with you. I split a quarter once a year and it's enough beef to get us thru the year. (we eat it maybe once or twice a week). It is an investment up front, but generally your per pound price is less than what you pay at the grocery store.
Also, consider making your own whole wheat bread. I make 2 loaves on Sunday at about $1.50 per loaf. Compared to the $4.50 price tag at the store (and no added sugars) -- it's worth the $3 per loaf savings. Giving me an extra $6 a week for fruits and veggies. And then I watch for the sales on veggies. Cauliflower on sale - we're having roasted cauliflower, etc. It can be done. I feed a family of 4 on about $75 a week -- that includes my kindergartener carrying her lunch everyday, as well as me and then dinners.
Oh, and Aldi has great organic frozen fruits - which I use to make my kids homemade fruit roll-ups. AND, I work full-time and my husband travels about 30 weeks a year (and I'm single mom during that time). It's tough. It means budgeting your time too, but it can be done.
And the best tip for saving money is really simple. Plan your meals. If you have exactly what you are planning and buy only for that, you will save money. I used to make a mid-week stop at the store and drop $80 easy on what seemed like nothing. If you plan ahead, you can have healthy, nutritious meals with plenty of fruits and veggies without spending a lot of money.0 -
Eggs, tuna, and chicken! All reasonably cheap! lol.0
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I don't know what your budget is or where you live...
I am in Nova Scotia so fish of any sort is CHEAP! which helps.
But also canned tuna perhaps.
You can also make the things you ARE buying healthier... like whole wheat pasta (or if you shop at Superstore, "blue menu" stuff is always lower in fat and calories).
Whole wheat breads that are lower in cals than other brands, etc. So reach for the lower cal and fat version of the foods you normally buy.
I buy skimmed milk rather than 2% or higher and this saves cals.
Also, instead of frying potatoes, try boiling and have without butter.
Salads can be cheap to make depending on the veggies you choose to add.
Leave out the sauces (ketchup, BBQ sauce, tartar sauce) because these are unnecessary cals.
Switch from juices or pop to just water (free!!!).
Instead of buying pasta maybe buy rice or an alternative that is not as high in calories.
Eggs are full of protein (which is filling) and not very expensive.
Apples with a bit of peanut butter are yummy and inexpensive, same with bananas.
Buying frozen veggies can be inexpensive and is a good way to avoid having food spoil.
Rather than buying things like sausages, next time reach for some chicken or fish.
It is no secret that fatty, high cal, processed foods are cheaper (part of the reason we have the "obesity" epidemic. This is what is affordable and easy! So, it is a matter of taking more time to read labels, do some research, take time to cook more, etc. Another tip is to cook things that make several portions/meals and then you can even freeze some of it for a later time! So stews, soups, roasts, etc.
Best wishes!!!0 -
Also, consider making your own whole wheat bread. I make 2 loaves on Sunday at about $1.50 per loaf. Compared to the $4.50 price tag at the store (and no added sugars) -- it's worth the $3 per loaf savings.
Where the crap are you buying bread that costs THAT much!?!? It is about 1.99-2.50 a loaf here (Nova Scotia).0 -
There are tons of cheap options for nutritous eating:
Eggs
Beans
Rice
Frozen Veggies (buy on sale)
In season produce - buy on sale
Canned veggies (get the low sodium option)
Pasta
Soup
Frozen chicken
Cheap cuts of beef and pork (cook in the crock pot)
Oatmeal (buy in bulk - not in packets)0 -
I'd eat through what you have, while monitoring caloric intake as best you can. No need to replace everything you already have if it's going to cause undue financial strain.
Then learn to cook. Eating healthy isn't as expensive as many seem to think. When I cut all pre-processed food out of my family's diet and replaced it with fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish my grocery bill went down not up. Also learn to cook good food with cheaper cuts of meat and fish. Make food in larger quantities than needed and freeze for quick lunches or dinners on the days you don't want to cook. Lentil soup is one of my faves for this - cheap, easy, nutritious and tasty, it doesn't get much better than that.
Oh, and invest in a cheap crock pot. Great way to turn cheaper cuts of meat into tasty meals.0 -
Smaller portions sizes of the unhealthy stuff and add some healthy stuff to it (veggies and fruits, etc.). When you shop again just start buying healthier alternatives. I understand being on a budget and not being able to toss everything out and start fresh.
^^^THIS^^^
I have a pantry full of boxed potatoes and hamburger/tuna helper from when it was on sale and I wasn't eating very well. I use it a couple of times a week and always leave the butter otu and the milk too if I can. I add broccoli bits in to have some veg. And I am NOT buying any more of it, just using what I have.
Also-you can boil, bake etc. a potato. You DO NOT have to fry it.
Google Bountiful Basekts and see if there's one in your area. It's a produce co-op and it has helped us to eat a LOT more fruit and veg at a much lower cost than the grocery store.0
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