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Let's be honest.

Eating healthy, low fat, low calorie, nutrient rich foods can be incredibly expensive.

That said, so can driving a car.

The solution lies in choices. You can choose to drive a Jaguar, or you can choose to drive a Buick. Both will get you from point a to point b.

Option A: Chili chock full of seasonal veggies and dried beans you've soaked overnight.

Choice B: Gourmet Deli Vegetarian Chili made with premium ingredients.

Either choice is healthy and nutritious. Either will fill you up for fewer calories and with loads of healthy fiber and vitamins. And yet, the second choice offers convenience and a gourmet flair that can be seductive. It will also cost you more.

If you really want to eat healthfully on a budget, here are some key things to keep in mind:

1. You've heard it before: Shop the outer perimeter of the store. Pick out your fresh SEASONAL vegetables, lean meats, and dairy items first.

2. Look for lean, healthy protein options. Beans are incredibly good for you, being naturally low in fat and high in fiber and protein, not to mention filling! Try making lentil tacos or a hearty homemade chili. Consider buying deli meats, the kind packaged as luncheon meat can be excellent diced into soups and casseroles.

3. Ask yourself how much convenience is worth to you. You may be spending more for those 'healthy' foods you're buying pre-packaged or frozen. Rather than buying frozen, chopped vegetables to save yourself time, think about investing in an inexpensive vegetable chopper/slicer or food processor and slice, bag, and freeze your own stir fry vegetables at home.

4. Check your labels! Healthy eating is fashionable these days and some of those high priced conveniently packaged foods you're looking at, aren't so good for you after all. Remember reduced fat and low fat do NOT mean the same thing. Educate yourself on label reading and you may find that some of the inexpensive staple foods you normally buy aren't so bad for you after all, especially in moderation.

5. Plan your meals before you shop. Make a list of dinners using inexpensive, easy to find ingredients that pack the nutritional punch you're looking for and base your shopping on that list. Going into the store armed with a plan will always save you money in the long run.

And finally, don't be afraid to get creative! Think about the foods you love, that are also healthy and inexpensive and find new and interesting ways to cook with them. You might be surprised at the delicious meals you can come up with.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Papez.
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