by Jennifer Spraggins

Created on: June 01, 2009

It's all too common that you're walking through the store looking for something healthy to eat for either yourself or your family, and the only thing that pops out are high prices for small portions of food. It leaves you wondering what can you eat that's not processed and is not high priced. Needless to say, getting the healthy meal will take a little more work, both in the store and in the kitchen, and will take more time and effort. The results later on, however, will be amazing.

Think like a restaurant

Ever wonder how most people end up walking out of a restaurant with doggie bags? Restaurants provide complimentary rolls, and salads to hold customers over before they get their meal. When you're looking through the store for your next meal, think like the restaurant chef.

Salads are a good way to incorporate vegetables (and sometimes fruits) into your diet that helps to fill you up just enough that you can eat your food without pigging out. Adding spinach leaves, carrots, fresh squash and zucchini, and other fruits and vegetables are a cheap way to help create a great dinner without killing your budget. If you can't afford all of the ingredients from the fruit and vegetable aisle, don't hesitate to pick up the bags of prepared salads. It's better than nothing, and you're still getting the nutrients.

Most people are scared of carbohydrates, and think that avoiding them at all costs will add to their health; but adding a reasonable amount of carbs to your diet can help to fill you while you take in the better nutrients. Rolls are a great way to assist in filling you up while leaving room for dinner also. One or two rolls for either you or the family gives you that reasonable amount of carbohydrates, and if you make it wheat, you can add valuable and much needed fiber into your diet. Remember everything in moderation is okay.

Looking like a three-course Masterpiece (but don't forget the veggies)

So you're ready for the meats, which will almost complete your meals, and I'm sure by now you're thinking that I'm gonna say get chicken and other white meats, right? Wrong! It doesn't matter what meats you get, because all meats with the right cuts and preparation, can be healthy for you and affordable. You're going to want to pick the lean meats, or prepare to cut a lot of fat off of the regular cuts of meats. To avoid getting a lot of fat in your diet, avoid frying the meats, and bake it instead. If you have to fry it, try using olive

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