Healthy Budget Meals-Planning Budget Meals

Cheap Meals On A Budget

Ramen Noodles and Macaroni and Cheese are dirt cheap meals to get when you are on a tight budget.  They are also low in nutrients and therefore not contributing to your family’s health.  Sometimes you get what you pay for.  Nothing for nothing! It is possible to get cheap meals on a budget and still get all the nutrients your body needs.  Even if you lean toward organic you can still give your body the good-for-you, pesticide free foods on a budget.

Healthy Meals On A Budget

Healthy meals do not have to mean expensive.  Some of the healthiest meals on a budget include eggs. Eggs are a nutritious, versatile easy-to-use protein source.  Conventional eggs at $1.19 a dozen can create a nice dinner for less than $1.00.  Even the most health conscious person can get organic eggs at a meal price that will fit in with a tight budget. The higher price of organic or free-range eggs still keeps the protein cost of a two-egg meal at only 58-78 cents per portion.

Healthy Family Budget Meals

Another low budget meal that is family friendly includes any soup or stew made with legumes.  Legumes, beans or peas are an inexpensive and nutritious protein source that is high in fiber and includes all the building blocks that your family deserves.  They have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer and even the organic versions will fit into any family budget. In bulk food sections the organic legumes are weighing in at $1.39 to $1.99 per pound, or less than a dollar per portion.  http://www.wowyouarereallylucky.com/tv-show-recipes/healthy-ideas-on-what-to-do-with-turkey-left-overs.htm

Easy Meals On A Budget

If you are looking for easy meals on a budget, then you may want to consider the old standby of peanut butter as one of your staple protein sources.  Peanut butter is not just for kids.  It is high in the monosaturated fats our bodies need, as well as antioxidants.  The organic version of peanut butter is only $3.49 per pound and conventional natural versions are even more budget-friendly.  Beware of the brand names that are high in added sugars and fats.  Check the ingredients list and look for peanut butter that is only ground peanuts and maybe a little salt.

Planning Meals On A Budget

One of the best ways to keep your food budget in line is to plan your meals.  Just the act of planning your weekly meals will save money.  Use the cook-once-serve-twice philosophy and you will save time and money.  This process of thinking ahead will help to keep your budget in line.  You will make better use of leftovers and also save time.

Cooking Meals On A Budget

When you cook wholesome meals and use them for two dinners the overall cost of each dinner will be less.  Purchasing ingredients that will take the main course of a meal and using it twice to create another meal will greatly impact your meal budget. They are not “left-overs” if you plan ahead!  Some ideas of the cook-once-serve-twice eating plan are:

Cook Once
Roast Chicken
Baked Potatoes
Broccoli

Serve Twice
Chicken soup: Cover your chicken bones with cold water and boil for about one hour with a spice blend mix.  After straining bones out; return to the stove and add chopped up left-over baked potatoes and broccoli. Season to taste.

Cook Once
Pot Roast
Salad with blue cheese dressing

Serve Twice
Beef Barbecue: shred left-over pot roast and add a good quality prepared barbecue sauce; serve on whole wheat rolls with carrot & celery sticks and BC dressing for dipping.

Cook Once
Roast Turkey Breast
Roast Carrots
Roast Onions
Roast Potatoes

Serve Twice
Turkey Pasta Pie

Include all leftovers from above and some pasta leftover from another day to make a healthy budget meal.

Be creative when planning your meals and think about the cook-once-serve-twice option when putting together your weekly shopping list to keep your food budget in line.

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