diet on a budget
- Thread starter eveamp
- Start date
indigoiis
New member
Shop only on the outside aisles of your grocery store. Less packaging = lower cost.
Think: whole grain breads, lean meats, fruits and veggies, low fat cheeses and yogurts, nuts / legumes and dried fruits. Go "inside" for things like frozen veggies, canned beans, canned tomatos, whole wheat pasta, and olive oil.
When you get home, spend an hour or so wrapping things and cutting up veggies into portion-sized containers; freeze what you won't use for awhile, refrigerate those you'll use right away, and cupboard/pantry things in bulk containers (pasta, rice, etc.)
Think: whole grain breads, lean meats, fruits and veggies, low fat cheeses and yogurts, nuts / legumes and dried fruits. Go "inside" for things like frozen veggies, canned beans, canned tomatos, whole wheat pasta, and olive oil.
When you get home, spend an hour or so wrapping things and cutting up veggies into portion-sized containers; freeze what you won't use for awhile, refrigerate those you'll use right away, and cupboard/pantry things in bulk containers (pasta, rice, etc.)
my grocery store the produce section is probably the most expensive section in the store... 
Buy on sale, get the store circulars and plan your shopping ahead of time and your menus ahead of time based on what is on sale.
Many large chain grocery stores have member cards that are usually free and while they bigbrotherly track your spending habits it does give you access to better sales.
Beans beans beans - especially dried beans - cheap, high fiber, high protein, and tastes good.
freezer access will allow you to buy meats in bulk and freeze them for later.
summer's coming so ig you've got farmer's markets or roadside stands in your area check them out for produce. and buy only what you will use in a few days (produce does go bad)
Buy on sale, get the store circulars and plan your shopping ahead of time and your menus ahead of time based on what is on sale.
Many large chain grocery stores have member cards that are usually free and while they bigbrotherly track your spending habits it does give you access to better sales.
Beans beans beans - especially dried beans - cheap, high fiber, high protein, and tastes good.
freezer access will allow you to buy meats in bulk and freeze them for later.
summer's coming so ig you've got farmer's markets or roadside stands in your area check them out for produce. and buy only what you will use in a few days (produce does go bad)
heh i saw that article yesterday and posted in the recipes section it's got some good stuff in it
it's got some good stuff in it 
slimby43
New member
im also on a very tight budget. last week of the month we live on ifits... (if its in the cupboard, freezer etc) to add to what the others have written i buy w/meal pasta, tinned/jar puree type tomatoes, lots of frozen veg - corn, peas, mixed peppers, mushrooms, cauli, carrots etc etc on pay day. last ages and work out much cheaper.(also better for you i believe as they are frozen asap after picking, preserves nutrients). add your protein (tuna is cheap, buy frozen chicken in bulk), herbs etc to taste and i have a tasty filling meal. i vary the ingredients. even the kids have started eating it which is a miracle. slim
12minutefitness
New member
There's some good advice here. But having been on a tight budget before, I think it's important to take the "buy on sale" advice with a grain of salt.
If there's something you need/are going to buy anyway, of course you should take advantage of buying it on sale. That's free money in your pocket. But don't just buy something that's on sale to buy it.
Go in with a plan. Have a detailed list when you arrive at the grocery store. Ignore the promotional/seasonal stuff that's just aimed at getting more money out of you.
And I know this is obvious too, but budget what you are going to spend and pay in cash. Paying in cash almost forces you to spend less (even if you'd just be putting your charge on a debit card).
If there's something you need/are going to buy anyway, of course you should take advantage of buying it on sale. That's free money in your pocket. But don't just buy something that's on sale to buy it.
Go in with a plan. Have a detailed list when you arrive at the grocery store. Ignore the promotional/seasonal stuff that's just aimed at getting more money out of you.
And I know this is obvious too, but budget what you are going to spend and pay in cash. Paying in cash almost forces you to spend less (even if you'd just be putting your charge on a debit card).
Dried beans are MUCH MUCH cheaper than canned.
Budget: Look at the circulars (in store or on line), look at recipes that utilize what is on sale (cook books or internet - the food tv one is great), plan a menu (day by day) with needed ingredients, and stick to it! Of course there is always the don't go shopping when you are hungry thing to - old but true! Brown rice is a great buy and also great on a diet. I now use a rice cooker and that works great - saves on boil overs and burnt pans. Good Luck!