How to clean up my diet on a budget?

I you have an Aldi, their price is the best around on produce and is usually really good quality. There isn't much faster or good on the go than fruit...the ultimate pre-packaged to go snack.

Sear whatever meat you want to cook in the slow cooker and throw it in with veggies and add chicken stock, lowfat of course , or water to half cover , turn on low and let it work it's magic all day while you are gone, when you get home it is good to go and very tasty! Season with your fave seasonings of course! LOL! Google slow cooker recipes, there are tons out there!!

Wal-Mart typically sells Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice frozen meals for around $2 -- I find this to be less than most fast food meals and most of them are pretty tasty! I eat one almost everyday for lunch.

Carrots, Pasta and Lentil Soup. I use Progresso lentil soup and chop carrots (about a cup to a can of soup) 4 ounces dry whole wheat pasta. Then I sprinkle a little Asiago or Parmesan Cheese on top.
soup $1.25-1.50
Carrots about 25 cents each a bunch
Parm about a nickle for what I use
Pasta about a buck for a pkg. so 40 cents
feeds 4 for 2.20 if you want a nice twist get a small can of diced tomatoes, add two packs of splenda or stevia or sugar heat until thicken a bit spread on top. makes the meal 3.00 for 4 folks.

the best advice is that when you go food shopping ...stick to the perimeter of the store. buy whole grain pasta..it costs the same! and buy dark chocolate. it will satisfy your sweet tooth faster than milk chocolate. packing your lunch will help you stay away from the fast food...and remember...it takes your body 21 days for something to become a habit or to withdraw from something...like sugar or caffeine. once you start eating whole foods instead of processed you will not want to go back!

I love Aldi too. Their produce is really cheap. I can eat much healthier for a lower cost when I go there.

Taste of home has a healthy web site. They have some good meals. Yogurt, Cottage cheese, String Cheese, Pb on a grain toast or celery, Almonds. Chicken grilled, baked you can put in in lime juice, lime with Cajun seasoning. Stubs marinade is good. Go though and look at peoples food journals that will also help you find snacks and just ideas of what to eat.
Get a whole Chicken and rub it it lemon pepper and bake it in the oven.
Stay away from box and canned anything.

Pork chops are also good for you.

Really its just all about your portions
Cheers

Off the top of my head...

fresh fruit and vegetables-- as many as possible
brown rice
beans, dry or canned
potatoes, fresh or canned
lean ground beef
chicken
canned tuna and/or salmon
frozen cooked shrimp if it's not too expensive
pasta
marinara sauce
string cheese
grated cheese (for burritos, eggs, veggies)
eggs
whole grain bread
oatmeal or other whole grain cereal
tortillas
almonds
non-stick spray

and for treats...
fudgsicles, Hershey's kisses

This is what I like to make in a pinch:

1/2 cup Shredded Chicken breast
1 1/2 tbsp of lite mayo
1/2 - 1 tbsp mustard
1-2 tbsp dried cranberries
1-2 tbsp walnuts
Garlic Salt to taste

Toss everything in a bowl and put it over greens for a tasty and low-cal chicken salad or on whole-grain bread for a yummy sammich!

You can make it in advanced and take it for lunch.

I try to have fresh fruit as a snack. Whatever is in season. Apples, oranges, mandarine oranges, whatever! You can also cut up some veggies like carrot sticks or celery, too.

Chili is another favorite in this chilly weather

1 lbs. Ground lean turkey or tofu
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 cup or can of kidney beans or pinto beans
1 cup Chopped Onion
1 cup Bell Peppers
Chili seasonings
1 tbsp Olive Oil

In a large pot sautee the onions adding the meat or tofu.
Add the green peppers. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
Add the tomatoes, beans and seasoning. If need be, add an extra can of tomato sauce.
The ingedients can be adjusted. You can also add a couple of dashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce or, my favorite, Tapatio. YUM!!!

Top with scallions and low-fat cheese or sour cream!

Enjoy.

I hope this helps.

I think you would be surprised how much a "healthy" grocery list will cost you. It's all the processed stuff that costs an arm and a leg. If you can, buy your produce at a local farmer's market or coop. That will certainly help. Also, take the time on the weekend (if only an hour) to get a head start on your weekday meals. Marinate some meats, chop some veggies, put together a large salad that you just pop in the fridge for a week. I like to make homemade hummus, too, and it generally keeps fairly well in the fridge - just in case I feel like a snack it's easier than driving out to grab some fast food. If you're a convenience eater, definitely try to stock up with healthy snacks so you won't be tempted.

Some quick meals: Tortilla pizzas (just add veggies, a protein, low fat cheese, and bake at about 400 for 10 minutes or so - this works really well with grilled chicken and hot sauce), quinoa salad (cooked quinoa and whatever veggies you have kicking around to throw in there, then add an acid like balsamic/red wine vinegar or lemon), and stir fries, which I believe you've already mentioned. If you have everything prepped and ready to go, it only take a few minutes to throw it all together.

Hope this helps!