I have noticed, the cheapest foods are usually the worst for you, but there are healthy foods that are good too, if you look. Just normal things like fruits and veggies you can find for cheap. Skim milk is pretty cheap I'd think, and rice cakes, low fat popcorn, light dressing.... Turky and chicken instead of beef. I'm sure I may be wrong about some things, but there are ways. I have a budget too, but I'm managing. Water's free from any faucet, and that's SUPER important to any healthy lifestyle!

I don't have that much money either.. I try to shop in a cheap store like Winco.. the food is cheaper there because you bag your own groceries and they are not a union.* I try to by veggies and fruits that are in season which helps the price in food out a lot.* Do you have any place to make your own little garden?* I planted some veggies this year and had lots of tomatoes, zucchini, lettuces, and cucumbers.* Sometimes those 100 calorie packet foods are kind of expensive so I will usually just buy something like the reduced fat cheese nips and pre bag them which saves money and is quick when I'm on the go.. Just look for things on sale too that you can pre bag for single servings.* A lot of things now like sweet potatoes, yams, squash are in season and those are yummy cheap meals.. sometimes I just pop a yam into the microwave after I poke some fork holes in it and it is yummy!* A lot of off brand yogurts are pretty cheap too..* Jsut remember not to stock up too much on all of these things because they will get old.* Good luck!

I agree with the girl...if you buy vieggies and fruit it is all not that bad...you can buy a bag of apples instead of a box of cookies..plus you also have portion control when you do this because who is gonna sit there and eat a whole bag of apples...when so many of us sat down and ate a whole box of cookies.

Kathy,
I feel your pain. You're in MO like me, do you have Save A Lot or Aldi where you are? Both are carrying more and more fresh stuff (fruits, veggies, meats, etc). You can't usually get the FF sour cream or cream cheese, but you can get salsa which is FF and all kinds of stuff. I always used the excuse that I couldn't afford to lose weight--but I decided I am doing it no matter what. It's about portion control, etc. What I do is 1. Almost always cook from scratch. You can feed your family cheaper and healthier. If you don't have time during the week to do this, you can cook several meals on one of your days off and freeze them. It works and it helps. 2. Stock up on things that keep when you have a little extra cash--canned veggies and fruits (without added salt or sugar if possible), dried fruits, tortillas, bread (freeeze it), string cheese, whatever works with your plan 3. Keep the "staples" in your kitchen--basic stuff like flour, eggs, etc. 4. Decide before you sit down to a meal how much you're going to eat, and then stop there. Planning ahead always helps.5. Plan your meals for a week (at least) at a time, then shop with a list made from your menu--only buy things on the list. Your whole family will benefit from your healthier plan.
Listen, Kathy, I was a single mom (with no child support) for four years and I know how to stretch a buck. If you need help figuring out where and how to shop, I'm there for you. Now we do a little better but since I'm now a SAHM, I still have to be budget conscious. I always look for good deals and I always shop with a list. I hope that helps a little. You're right--healthier food does cost more, but it can be done. I'm living proof!! Email me if there's anything else I can do to help!!
Hugs,
Angie

Kathy, these other girls have given you some good advice.* And your line of thinking is correct.* A lot of people are overweight because they are poorer.* Some of them*were raised on a*low income themselves,*when healthy food was a lot more expensive, so*they*learned to shop cheap instead of healthy*and*they've never learned how to shop healthy on a budget.**So it's become*a way of life for them.***
Skim milk usually costs the same as whole milk.* Canned fruits &*veggies aren't expensive, although they're not usually as good nutritionally.* Poultry is usually cheaper than beef and pork, although fish is usually higher.* And the junk...cookies, candy, chips, etc...if you cut them out completely, you're talking about a good chunk of change that can go on fresh fruits & veggies.
You can eat healthy on a really strict budget.* It may take a little more effort, and you may have to clip a few coupons, but it's very possible.* And in the long run, it might just be cheaper, cuz the healthier foods tend to fill and satisfy better, you'll lose weight, and you won't want or need as much food!!

simple but hard to do... eat alot of veggies,fruit step away from the crap and excersise!!! It's free!!!LOL sheree

I have noticed that alot of the people in my town overweight. Since there are so many in this community. I feel its a money issue too. Have you ever noticed when you go to the store. The unhealty and bad foods is what is the cheapest. See like OPRA and I love OPRA she can afford someone to cook for her and a Personal Fitness trainer. I could do it to if I had the money for that kind of help. Even biggest loser just think if you could go to a ranch with other friends with the same problems you could make it too. I am very low income and its hard for me to buy alot of special foods on my budget. So if anyone has some suggestions I sure could use them..Poor and Fat in Missouri..