Diet help asap

Don't make the process harder than it needs to be! Forget about "diet food." I assume you've been buying groceries on your budget now. Make a few swaps. Swap a bag of chips for a bag of apples, a bag of chicken nuggets for a family pack of chicken breasts, a pack of hot dogs for turkey lunch meat. All similar in price but more nutrition and fewer calories for your dollars. If you drink pop, swap it for a case of water or a Brita pitcher. Eggs are cheap and super versatile. Frozen veggies are cheap, low calorie meal bulkers.

Also,

EACH BAG OF CHIPS AND COOKIES YOU BUY COULD BE A POUND OF BEEF OR 2LBS OF CHICKEN STOP BUYING JUNK FOOD IT'S EXPENSIVE, SODA TOO GET A DAMN FILTER AND DRINK FROM THE TAP.

Yes, bolded and caps locked for a reason.

I see budget bytes is mentioned. Bravo.

OP if you don't know where to start and you don't know how the pounds added up, MFP is a great way to inform yourself. I suggest you do invest in a food scale so you get a full appreciation of how the calories add up. About $30 from Wal Mart.

I agree with others that the money you might spend on ready made meals is better invested in the basics. Frozen veggies, a variety of low fat meat like chicken and ground beef, eggs, rice, potatoes, beans and lentils.

You can eat normal food just watch your portions.

Meal plan around dinner and make enough extra for leftovers for lunch the next day. Stews, pasta sauces, and chillies are easily made in bulk, freeze well, and are far less expensive than ready made. Price out a serving one day and you will be shocked at the difference.

The

https://www.choosemyplate.gov

Can help you figure out what sorts of foods should be on your plate.

I suspect snacks are where the extra poundage is coming from. If you focus on filling up at the main meals, you can save a lot of money and reduce significant calories too. If you miss having something to munch on, plain popcorn is cheap and low calorie. Or carrots.

http://lifehacker.com/5607024/make-microwave-popcorn-using-a-simple-brown-paper-bag

Is there an Aldi near you? They have rock bottom prices on tons of products. The one near me has gallon milk and dozen eggs for less than a dollar each. Check often for meat sales because they don't advertise like other places.

Frozen vegetables have become a lifesaver for me. I don't have to worry about them spoiling, and there are a lot of varieties out there. I tend to roast them in the oven with whatever meat I'm cooking that day. It brings out a different flavor entirely.

I've learned when to shop at my town's Wal-Mart, too. They put deli meat on clearance early in the morning at half price in my store when it's due to expire in a few days. Two weeks in a row I scored on several packs of meat for less than two dollars each.

Check local sales papers and meal plan around what's on sale. If chicken is on sale, roast enough to make two or three dishes out of it, saving more money.

Go meatless once a week. There are plenty of ways to get in protein without meat. Several vegetables (like Brussels sprouts... one of my favorites) have protein. Beans and eggs are also great sources.

There are more ways to save money. Simply follow some of the advice we've offered, and make it a challenge to see if you can save more than last time. It'll work!

EatThisMuch.com--you can set it to avoid foods you don't like and even to meet a budget. A lot of wonderful food is dirt-cheap, and after all it never costs more to eat smaller servings.

I am curious about your state's government assistance program. A single parent would never be denied food stamps here in AZ, even if they had a job.

Kindrex30 wrote: »

ogmomma2012 wrote: »

I am curious about your state's government assistance program. A single parent would never be denied food stamps here in AZ, even if they had a job.

MN Scott County and Dakota County. I've applied at both counties in various years. They literally told me I could quit my job completely or have another child to qualify for help. I just don't understand. And I don't want to depend on the state for assistance. But sometimes life happens and I struggle for a bit. I always make it through. I threw a fit once and they finally gave me $98 for food for one month. While I have a friend in Minneapolis who just her and her daughter get $300 a month in food plus she got 6 months rent and utilities paid. I feel like our system sucks. Especially depending on which County you live in. So if people feel like I haven't asked for help in have. The system fails.

Yeah for real, I make 25k/yr and maybe it's because AZ has better qualifiers but I am married with one toddler and we get $200/mth. Only one of us works.

Crazy crazy stuff. Churches do the food box thing, I'm sure you know the drill, buy in-season produce, shop meat sales etc. We are fortunate where we live, I don't know if you have an Albertsons or a store affiliated but they have amazing steak sales. It is literally the only time we eat steak. $60 for sometimes over $180 worth of steak.

Chicken breasts and thighs are usually under 1.99 a pound and I buy a large bag of frozen vegetables that is under 4.00. I don't eat a lot of breads or carbs but they're a good idea if you aren't able to eat your calories with just meat and vegetables. You can add olive oil to the vegetables to add more fat and calories. I bought at least a dozen different seasonings. Maybe buy a new one every shopping trip? They are generally around 2.50 each where I am located and eventually you'll have a lot of season options for the food you make

I guess to be more relevant to the conversation, despite my low income I lost my first 50lbs walking 1 mile twice per day and investing in a food scale. If you have small salad plates and toddler bowls, those are also good steps towards learning portions. It most certainly is enough to fit a damn "serving" of Special K, which I was all about when WIC allowed it.

If you have WIC in your county/state, even if all you have is state health insurance you qualify for food assistance that way.