Dieting on a budget???? HOW!

[QuadSquadMom]

I strike a balance b/w Adkins (but lower fat than suggested) and S. Beach (to pick up the good carbs).

One thing I do is buy all meat as they mark it down in my local grocery store. I shop at Kroger and I asked the meat manager when they do markdowns. He told me they do it each morning by 9 am. I buy as much as can fit in my freezer. This really controls meat spending.

I also seek coupons for the S. Beach bars which are great snacks, even DH likes them for something healthy while on the run.

[Aleta]

It is even a better buy to buy the meat marked down when it has been on sale. I usually make it that day or freeze it right away.

[QuadSquadMom]

Aleta,

Right on! Already on sale then marked down is even better!! I feel great when I can get so much for so little money!

If I'm feeling really industrious that day, I'll even take the extra steps to clean, trim & season and repackage before freezing. Saves time when ready to cook, especially those days DH wants to grill out - marinated meat ready in advance.

[lisad71]

Like Jodi, I do South Beach and have actually saved money by preparing homemade versions of things I used to buy. For instance it cost less for me to make SB Tomato Sauce than it does to buy jarred sauce. Especially if you are talking the kind of jarred sauce with no sugar (one brand at a health food store was 8.99!). When the big cans of crushed tomatoes are on sale, I stock up so I can whip up sauce anytime.

My favorite healthy breakfast is three egg whites and a side of oatmeal. You can buy the big cartons of eggs at Walmart or the warehouse stores and store brand slow cook oatmeal is dirt cheap.

Also, I live in South florida, so of course I have tons of canned stuff like tuna packed in water, beans, etc. just in case a hurricane rolls through.

Best of luck with your weight loss!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Smaller portions of the same things you usually eat? Give up _one_ dietary extra that you indulge in---like skip the cream in coffee, or the afternoon handful of chips, or the butter you like to put on vegetables. If you just reduce portions plus maybe give up one indulgence, you could spend the same money or less and still lose weight. I suggest only a small change like that so it is not too burdensome but will have effect over a long period of time, becoming just the way you do things.

I need to practice what I preach.

[Sporkman]

I have PCOS, so low-carb diets work best for me. That means lots of meat. Lots of vegetables. No pasta, bread and rice. You are right, meat costs a lot more.

Same here, I do better doing low-carb. Unfortunately, not only is eating low-carb expensive, but it's also less convenient as it usually requires a lot more cooking & other effort (as opposed to grabbing a quick sandwich or boiling some pasta).

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Eat less food, work out more. It is hard though. I'm in the same club.

[Rick01]

Hey, exercising is free.

[howk055]

I bought some tortelli in a BOGO. I am going to make that, salad, and some bread. What is on your menu today?

[krantcents]

The key to a successful diet is not eating some artificial diet. You should eat good food that you can sustain the rest of your life. Eat less and exercise more. When I lost 35 lbs. more than 30 years ago, I realized I was eating additional things that added to my weight. I cut those things out and started an exercise program. I have maintained my ideal weight for the last 30 years.