Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget

Have you ever noticed that it costs much more to eat healthy than it does to eat things that are bad for you? Even TV dinners, which are ridiculously inexpensive to make, cost more if they are purportedly healthy. Healthy eating on a limited budget might seem impossible, but there are a few ways to get around the expensive health food if you are hoping to lose a little weight. Here are a few tips for healthy eating on a limited budget.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Clip Coupons
I know that this seems like an arduous task, but last week I saved $75.00 on groceries just by using this tactic. Looking through the flyers that come with the morning paper and picking out coupons will also help you to streamline your grocery shopping. You'll know exactly what to look for and you won't be stopping on every aisle to be tempted by not-so-healthy treats.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Stock Up on Lean Meats
Meats can get expensive, especially if you prefer a specific market. Limit your meat purchases to lean meats like fish, chicken breasts and pork loin. When they go on sale, stock up and put the excess in the freezer. These types of meats keep for a long time and are healthy to boot.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Bone Up on Calcium
Purchasing skim milk, yogurt and other high-calcium foods won't break the bank, and calcium actually aids in weight loss. Yogurt is especially important when dieting because it will help to restore the natural balance of bacteria in your stomach and bowels. Cheese and eggs are also extremely healthy.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Avoid Eating After 6 p.m.
Your metabolism will suffer as a result of late-night snacking, so pick a cut-off eating time, such as 6:00. That will give your stomach time to digest your food before you go to bed. You might want to add to this habit by going on a late-evening walk with your spouse or a friend. You'll burn off much of the calories you consumed during dinner, and you'll also sleep better at night.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Browse the Farmer's Markets
During the summer months especially, you can find great deals on fruits and veggies at local farmer's markets. While the prices might be sky-high on these products in the grocery store, you can get a better deal and promote more fruit and veggie eating. These make great mid-day snacks and supplements to your means.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Prepare Meals with Care
Rather than focusing on just filling your grocery cart, think of ways that you can make healthy mealtimes enjoyable. Add parsley to your dishes and eat on your fancy plates even when you don't have company. This will curb your desire to eat 97-cent frozen pizzas or to stop at a fast food restaurant on your way home. Find a way to enjoy cooking healthy meals, and you'll be able to convert much easier. Further, use a meal planning guide to help downsize the costs of healthy foods.

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget: Find Favorite Healthy Foods
One of the main problems with converting to a healthy eating lifestyle is that you focus on what you're giving up rather than on what you gain. Over the next few weeks, find healthy foods that are inexpensive, but which you enjoy. For example, if you really enjoy orange roughy fish, allow yourself to splurge every once in a while on this healthy food by adding inexpensive veggies, like canned corn and green beans, to balance out the cost.

By Steve Thompson