How to lose weight on a budget
When trying to lose pounds, pennies can matter just as much. Many diets recommend expensive ingredients. If losing weight is difficult, slimming on a budget is equally challenging. Here's how to take care of both your eating and your bank balance
1. Bread, cereals and potatoes
The benefits
Starchy foods like breads, pasta, rice, cereals and potatoes should form the bulk of most of your meals and snacks.
These foods are a valuable source of carbohydrate, which gives us energy. They are filling but provide a lot less calories than fatty foods. Just be careful not to add fats like spreads, dressings, sauces and fillings or cook them in added fats.
They also contain vitamins, minerals and a little protein. What's more, they provide fibre to keep our digestive system healthy. Wholegrains have more fibre, so eat these more often.
The costs
These foods are usually quite cheap but here are a few ideas for keeping the costs down even more:
- If you shop late at night, supermarkets often reduce the price of breads, which is great if you use them quickly or have access to a freezer
- Buying foods in bulk, like potatoes for example, will cut costs considerably.
- If you cook too much pasta, don't throw it out. You can easily make a salad the following day by adding a low-fat dressing, some salad, vegetables and a little imagination. Leftover rice can be used in risotto.
- Buying pancakes or a scone as a snack is just as cheap as a packet of crisps or some chocolate. If you're at home, toast or cereal are quick, cheap and healthy options.
- Why not use English muffins as pizza bases?
- It's cheap and easy to make your own bread, scones and pancakes.
2. Fruit and vegetables
The benefits
Fruit and vegetables contain a huge variety of vitamins, minerals and other substances, which help keep your body healthy from day to day. It is also thought that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables may protect against some diseases later in life, like heart disease or cancer. Try to eat at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day to boost your health.
The costs
It's true that some fruit and vegetables can be quite expensive but there are plenty of less expensive options available:
- Remember it doesn't have to be fresh fruit or vegetables, tinned, frozen and dried are just as good and may be cheaper.
- Again, buying in bulk is usually cheaper.
- Look out for fruits and vegetables in season.
- An apple, orange or banana as a snack is handy and just as cheap as less healthy options.
- Making soup is an inexpensive and easy way to increase your vegetable intake.
1 | 2 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
