It seems like everyone these days is on a budget

with the gas prices and food prices being so high.

If you have problems serving healthy foods because

of the prices, you'll find these tips to be just

what you need to eat healthy on a budget.

The first way to eating healthy on a budget is

to eliminate junk food that you are buying.

Shopping by yourself is the easiest way to shop,

since children and sometimes spouses are

usually the ones requesting junk food. Shopping

alone will prevent this, and ensure that you only

buy the foods you need.

Drink water or milk instead of soft drinks to

create a healthy lifestyle for your children.

You can still enjoy your favorite drinks at a

sporting event or night out, although you should

stick with the smallest size when shopping to save

money and calories. Children and even adults need

milk or milk products on a daily basis. Milk will

also help you get strong and provides calcium for

healthy bones and healthy teeth.

The third way to eat healthy on a budget is

to buy fruits, and by them in quantity.

When they are in season, buy fruits in quantity

and freeze any extras. You can buy several pounds

this way, and freeze extras to have them when the

fruit goes out of season. Wash the fruit well,

remove any spoiled pieces, dry thoroughly, then

freeze in plastic zipper bags.

Trying to save money? Eat meats and beans.

Meats and beans are the best sources of protein.

Lean meat is more expensive than meats with a lot

of fat. If you do opt for buying the cheaper meat

make sure you trim the fat off before you serve it.

Canned and dry beans are very cheap and they are a

great source of protein. Let the beans cook all day

in a slow cooker for optimum tenderness and flavor.

The fifth way to stay on budget but to still let

your family eat healthy is to use beans as a substitute.

You should use beans as a substitute for meat

frequently. There are many types of beans.

Experiment and find your families favorites!

You can even buy bags of mixed beans in the

dry goods section of most grocery stores.

The USDA recommends eating beans at least 4 times

per week. If you experience gas after eating

beans you should try washing them, covering them

with water, bringing the water to a boil, then

draining it off and refilling the pot.

If you live in a coastal area or an area

where fish are around, make that an integral

part of your diet. You can catch them from the

lakes or rivers, saving money in the process.

Fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids that are very

good for you. Try to incorporate fish into your

family's meal plan at least one time a week.

Peanut butter is also great for those on a budget

as it's popular with almost everyone. You can

use it for sandwiches instead of eating hot

dogs. Peanut butter is usually very popular with

children!

The last way to eat healthy on a budget is to

fill up with foods that have a high

content of water. Watermelon, salads, and even

sugar free gelatin are all great examples.

Eating healthy is always something you can't go

wrong with. Every small step that you take to

incorporate something healthy into your family's

diet is one step toward being healthy.

You can eat healthy for just a few

bucks, which makes it perfect for those on a

budget. Now, you don't need a lot of money to have

the lifestyle and health you've always wanted.