by Raven Lebeau

Created on: March 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 20, 2009

"Eating healthy" means different things to different people. Whether you are trying to cut calories, follow a special diet, or simply satisfy basic nutritional requirements, there are a variety of products that promise to meet your needs for a price. A grocery cart filled with the latest fad foods and "heath" products can really eat into your budget, but there are ways to find the healthy foods you want at a price you can afford.

Here are a few tips for "eating healthy" on a budget:

1. Buy fresh fruits and veggies only if they are in season.

Foods like blueberries do have impressive health benefits, but when purchased of season, they can be cost prohibitive. Plan your meals around the fresh fruits and vegetable that are currently in season as well as canned and frozen alternatives.

If you have the time and space, growing your own fresh vegetables will lower your grocery bill even more while still providing you with fresh, healthy food. A package of seeds usually costs as much as just a few days worth of the vegetable in question, and yet a package of seeds can grow enough several weeks worth of food.

2. Learn to cook.

The best way to control what you and your family eat is to make it yourself. Instead of paying up for frozen or processed foods labeled as "healthy," make your own meals using fresh ingredients. Whether baking a loaf of whole-grain bread or making a low calorie vegetable stir-fry, you can almost always do it cheaper at home.

Preparing your own fresh salads instead of buying bagged is one surefire way to save. If you're willing to spend a few minutes tearing lettuce leaves, scraping carrots, and slicing peppers, you can have a week's worth of salads for the cost of one pre-prepared salad.

3. Buy sugar-free Jello and pudding mixes.

These reduced-calorie desserts are easy to make, taste good, and are easy on your wallet as well. Because the pudding is made with skim milk, it is high in calcium and a good source of protein as well. Unlike many "diet" foods, pudding and Jello cost only pennies a serving. You can serve Jello or pudding by itself or get creative and make a pie or layered dessert.

4. Add legumes to your diet.

Beans and lentils are high in fiber and protein and are a staple of many diets. Consuming legumes is a great way to lower your cholesterol as well as your grocery bill. Beans make excellent soup as well as a terrific side dish. You can also use them in chili, burritos, and nachos. Lentils are another wonderful soup material, or they can be curried and served over brown rice.

5. Look for house brands.

It used to be tough to find house brand items with reduced fat or sugar. However, these days, it's increasingly easy to find house brand versions of your favorite low calorie foods. For example, the Wal Mart brand, Great Value, makes an excellent low-sugar, low fat ice cream.

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