When you think of cheap food the first things that come to my mind are pasta, rice and beans. Which in all honesty aren’t bad.

You can build on these items and still keep your grocery budget in tact, by adding vegetables, cheap cuts of meats and healthy food portions.

I’ll let you in on a chef secret herbs and spices are the cheapest way to take a frugal meal to the next level.  If you have a cheap cut of meat marinade it, then slow cook it and your dinner guests will be coming back for more.

SHOP LOCAL

The further your food travels the more expensive it is and when you shop local you know where your food is grown or made. Shopping local also allows you to support your local farmers, bakers, brewers and tradespeople.

EAT SEASONAL PRODUCE

If you buy strawberries in the middle of December you will be paying too much.  Buying produce (vegetables and fruits) in season will save you money. Most areas have produce charts telling you what is available when. 

BUY IT IN BULK

Healthy foods can be expensive in smaller portions.  Save money by buying in bulk and stockpiling your pantry with items such as rice, beans, soup stocks, spices and items your family regularly use.

Cook at Home

Cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out. Make it a habit to cook at home, rather than eating out at the last minute.

Generally, you can feed an entire family of 4 for the same price as buying food for one or two people at a restaurant.

Some people find it best to cook for the entire week on the weekends, while others cook one meal at a time.

By cooking yourself, you also gain the benefit of knowing exactly what is in your food.

Bottom Line: Cooking at home is way less expensive than eating out. Some find it best to cook for the entire week on weekends, while others like to cook one meal at a time.

Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry

If you go to the grocery store hungry, you are more likely to stray from your grocery list and buy something on impulse.

When you’re hungry, you often crave foods that aren’t good for you or your budget.

Try to grab a piece of fruit, yogurt or other healthy snack before you go to the store.

Stop Buying Junk Food

Cut out some of the junk food from your diet.

You would be surprised to see how much you may be paying for soda, crackers, cookies, prepackaged meals and processed foods.

Despite the fact that they offer very little nutrition and are packed with unhealthy ingredients, they are also very expensive.

By skipping the processed and unhealthy foods, you can spend more of your budget on higher quality, healthy foods.

Make eggs your friend.

"Eggs are very inexpensive and have been shown over and over to help with weight loss," says registered dietitian Cassie Bjork. "What's more, eggs are considered the most bioavailable source of protein, which means your body digests, absorbs and uses the protein in eggs better than in any other food in the world." A pricey cut of steak can't even claim that!

Stick to tap water.

"Don't blow your budget on sugar-laden beverages that will only stand in the way of your weight loss goal. Instead, sip tap water. This simple swap will save you calories and cash, and supports weight loss by nourishing your cells and flushing out toxins," says Bjork.

Adopt a plant-based diet.

Research shows that switching to a plant-based diet not only promotes weight loss but also lowers your cholesterol, reduces hypertension and extends lifespan. There's more good news: A meat-free diet can also save you thousands—yes, thousands—of dollars. "I recently switched from a moderate animal protein diet to a plant-based diet and so far I've saved about $40 per week, which will easily add up to savings of $2,000 per year," says the owner of Naples Personal Training, Dr. Sean M. Wells. That's enough cash to spend on a tropical vacation! (Hawaii, anyone?)

Make Mondays special

Can't imagine giving up your favorite burgers and fillets for good? Consider adopting Meatless Mondays—the campaign that encourages people to kick off their week sans meat. "I'm an advocate for Meatless Monday for both budgeting and ethical reasons," says personal trainer Ajia Cherry. Although there are many vegetarian and vegan sources of protein, Cherry is a big fan of beans. "Beans, especially dried black beans, are inexpensive and contain heart-healthy antioxidants, filling fiber, iron and muscle-building protein," she says

See the world as your gym.

Drop the excuses about how you can't get to the gym—you can work out anywhere, really. "Shedding pounds and getting healthy doesn't require a gym, boutique fitness studio or a CrossFit box," says Wells. "Join a local soccer league or walking group or do bodyweight calisthenics at home. My next door neighbor loves to use his tree for pull ups and dips. If you're willing to get creative you can save anywhere from $50 to 300 per month—that's a car payment!"

Shake up your own protein drink.

"Commercial bars and workout drinks can be very expensive. What's worse, they offer little more to your body than what basic fruits, vegetables and nuts can provide," says Wells. "Ounce for ounce, homemade smoothies or snacks will not only be cheaper but probably healthier for you, too.

Tune to YouTube

Celebs may pay her the big bucks to whip them into shape, but celebrity trainer Kit Rich says it's possible to get into your skinny jeans without spending a dime. "The cheapest and easiest ways to lose weight through exercise is by doing YouTube workout videos," Rich says. "There are a lot of fun and effective programs available for free!"

Make a list

"Spend a couple of minutes each morning writing out a list of reasons you want to live a fitter and healthier life," says author of the top model fitness guide, Methodology X Dan Roberts. "It won't be conscious, but doing this exercise will help you make better decisions when choosing food and snacks throughout the day."

Swap snack bars for fresh fruit.

"The average snack bar or bag of chips will cost you two dollars, but a piece of fruit will only cost you 50 cents. Stick with a piece of fruit to save calories, fat and cash on snacks," says certified dietitian-nutritionist Dana James.