I'm new to this so not exactly sure how all of this works. But my two "addictions" are shopping and eating. So, how do I eat healthy and not spend tons of money? I want to get healthy (have 80 pounds to lose) and I don't want my children to have to worry. Any ideas are appreciated. Thank you

Well, they say that buying produce is cheaper overall than convenience products. So stock up on fruits and veggies. And buy what's in season. If you have any farmer's markets or market type stores, go to those, they are usually cheaper. And to keep the cost down even more, stay away from "convenience produce". Buy regular carrots--unpeeled, uncut. I then peel and cut them and put them in a bag so that they're handy. Don't buy the prepackaged lettuce. Buy romaine or spinach heads, wash it, break it up into salad sized pieces and put it in a bag w/ a paper towel so that it's handy when you want it. If veggies you like aren't in season, buy frozen. Make healthy food from scratch. If you watch the sales you can get skinless boneless chicken and lean ground beef for $1.99 or so a pound (at least by me).

As for shopping, I know when I'm tempted to buy something I ask myself, do I really need this? If I buy this, will I be using money that we need to pay bills?

Good luck. Welcome to the board!

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Blessed beyond measure

I always buy frozen veggies as opposed to fresh and canned. When you get the canned, you get all the 'junk' they use to preserve it and the frozen lasts way longer than the fresh. I think its probably more cost effective too. For my family, I pay .78 for a bag of frozen corn and I can get 2 meals out of it.

I don't know how you feel about yogurt, but its always cheap. And there are always tons of coupons for them too. That is a nice healthy snack. Frsh fruit will usually last a while, depending on what it is. I can have apples last for weeks. Oranges too. Bananas never last more than a few days before they go bad. But you can always buy froxen fruit for a treat, and mix it in fat free whipped topping.

I'll have to think of more ideas.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

Here are my hints from when I started my weight loss journey - for what they are worth:

1. never, NEVER go to the store hungry. Always eat a snack ahead of time.
2. Shop the outer edges of the store first - not the aisles. That is where the healthier foods are - not the processed stuff.
3. I do buy fresh fruit and veggies because I use them. I also prefer the taste. I do eat canned and frozen, but prefer fresh.
4. MENU PLAN!!! Plan your weeks worth (or more) of menus and shop from those menus and those menus only.
5. Stick to your list!

When I started WW, I was worried about the cost of it, but I ended up saving money because we did not go out as much and we eat healthier and smaller portions. It is really easy to spend less once you lessen your portions.

Good luck!

When I moved to my new town, I was so sad because there is no health food store nearby. Then I realised that all the "health food" I need is actually at the grocery store. Stick to fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. No, you won't find coupons when you buy these, so buy different things when they are on sale and in season. Get a healthy cook book from the library and learn what to do with new foods.

I spend most of my money in the produce section. But you have to think of it this way, the veggie might cost you $3, but how much would a bag of chips cost. Bsteen had some really good ideas with having them all cut up so that you can just grab them.

I save a ton of money by making big pots of soup. Most of the time I make it with leftoevers, but if not, a couple of chicken legs (which are cheap) and some veggies. And it's healthy and yummy.

At the grocery store, the healthiest and cheapest way to shop is to stay out of the middle isles as much as possible. The outside edges are where the fresh foods are. And remember, NO Crinkley wrappers! The stuff in them are expensive and bad for you.

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The mighty oak started out as a nut that held its ground.

Thanks so much for the advice. I really just need to focus on this. It's so over-whelming with everything else. But with anything, I'm sure the more I do it, it will begin to come naturally and easily. Have a great day !

Like treehugger said, soups are great! One of my faves is a chicken veg noodle soup. I boil a whole chicken with some carrots, onions, celery. I take it out and remove all the dark meat and shred it. I strain the stock and add the shredded dark meat back in along with all kinds of veggies and some homemade noodles. I save the breast meat for another meal, like chicken salad. That is a LOT of mileage from a $3 chicken! And loads less salt than canned soup.

All great ideas..I would just add this: Though it is cheaper to buy a head of lettuce rather than the pre-packeged stuff,think about how you use it first. Around here, I am the only one who eats lettuce and I only like it every few days. If I buy the whole head for $1.25, I ALWAYS end up throwing almost 1/2 of it away. When I buy the bagged stuff for $1.99, I use it all and it lasts longer.

Just my 2 cents!!
Alana

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