How in the world do you eat healthy on a budget?

[lvnmommyhood]

Recently I have been motivated to eat a more balanced diet with more fruits and veggies and less red meat and sugar.  However, buying all these fruits and veggies is so expensive.  Is it possible to eat healthy on a budget?  We'd all be skinny if the darn stores sold the good for you stuff cheap and the sugary bad for you stuff expensive wouldn't we?

[leannamama]

Sep. 16, 2008 at 3:39 PM

I so agree with you!!!

[annebeckett]

Sep. 16, 2008 at 3:46 PM

I've been on a "budget" since I was 17 and I purchase almost all fruits and vegies and milk, flour, some sugar, many spices, etc..  The only way to do it is to REPLACE THE READY-MADE WITH THESE items..  SImply put, one needs to know how to cook in order to make it.  If you try to go back to basics in order to eat better and lessen the bills, you need to realise that you cannot buy ready-made, no matter how much you may want it. Purchasing this way kept my kids fed, no matter how little I had!  TV dinners are simply OUT..  Pre-mixed anything is out.  Pre-cut or pre-cooked meats are out;  treats (like hoho's and ringdings) are out.  You have to make your own! 

Yes, the first few shopping trips may seem more expensive (while you stock your larder) but, in the long run, it's better and is cheaper.  Oh, and buy IN Season- MUCH cheaper that way!

[windowgirl]

Sep. 16, 2008 at 3:51 PM

i am not self righteous, so dont think so. just answering your question. but have been misunderstood too many times on this thing. im a veg head so this is easier for me to do, but if your leaning toward that, then this might help you. i buy groceries every 2 weeks. and spend less than $200.  i buy  4 meats enough for a 5 person family, family is not veg. then fill the other 10 days with bean dishes. depending on how many kids you have and what your husband eats for lunch, i buy 8 of our 3 fave friuts. and a veg for every dinner. oatmeal is not expensive. neither is making your own bread. rice and couscous and barley and other grains are not expensive either. theres tons of different kind of beans you can buy and cook. ill share my recipes with you if your interested. it also depends on where you go. HEB is really expensive. i shop at walmart of course. but generally enough fruit for each person to have 1 fruit a day a veg for every dinner meat or beans, bread for lunch, yogurt if anyone has to have it, i guarantee youll get thin in a hurry. =)

[jenniferleah]

Jan. 20, 2009 at 8:06 AM

Fresh produce can be expensive but if you plan accordingly and buy in season-it is very economical . I shop at a local asian market that has FRESH produce at 1/2 the price of the supermarket. PLUS, all my money stays local instead of lining the pocket of some CEO. Check your local area for farmers markets,  farmers co-ops etc. I also agree that processed foods and pre-packaged foods are a waste of $ and no good for you too!