20 Ways to Save Money

The Miser's Diet
By Susan Burke MS, RD, LD/N, CDE
eDiets Contributor

Some people complain that "dieting" is expensive. It can be costly if, for instance, you're going low-carb and think that you need to dine on beef and lobster. Since most of us have to watch our expenses, shopping with a budget in mind is smart. Here are 20 easy tips to pinch pennies while you're losing weight.

Dine In: Fast food is cheap, but you get what you pay for -- lots of fat and sodium, and little fresh nutrition. Invest your time in simple, home-prepared foods, and reap the rewards.

Recipe Plan: eDiets Recipe Plan is economical, but easy. You get to eat whole, fresh foods, which are cheaper, and more nutritious.

Convenience: If you are starved for time, the Combination Plan saves you time and money. Substitute any convenience items on sale for those listed in your plan. For example, if your plan says Lean Cuisine chicken, but Amy's is on sale, as long as the calories per serving are approximately equal, go for the sale item.

Bring your lunch: Allison Rains, eDiets manager of nutrition support, says that she does this every day. If you spend about $5/day, within a year you can save more than $1,250.

Need a diet that'll let you eat filling, tasty foods while you lose weight? We offer 24 personalized plans, including the red-hot, carb-smart GI Diet. Visit eDiets to fill out a free diet profile.

Buy larger sizes of some recipe items -- ones you'll use and that have a decent shelf-life. For example, don't buy a warehouse-sized bag of onions (too perishable), unless you really like onions -- or unless you're going to cook them in advance. Do buy large-sized packages of lean meat, fish or poultry: Wrap single-sized portions well and they'll last in your freezer for between one and three months.

Unit pricing: Determine what size is the most economical by reading the little tag posted below the shelved food item and compare the unit price. Sometimes the largest size isn't the cheapest.

Convenience meals: Do it your way. Double or triple your recipes and freeze the extra portions.

Snack Packs: Pam Ofstein, eDiets director of nutrition services, says she saves money by pre-packaging snack items into individual small baggies. Raisins and cubed cheese are two of her kid's favorites.

Substitute: Substitute within food groups and shop economically. For example, if apples are on sale and your meal plan calls for oranges -- substitute!

The Cut and the Cook: Instead of expensive loin cuts of beef and pork, opt for a bit tougher but leaner flank steak, and prepare in a slow-cooker with some carrots, celery, onions, and a can of low-sodium, low fat broth. Save time and money, but enjoy a rich-tasting stew.

Eggs: Christine Miller, eDiets diabetes expert, reminds us that eggs are an inexpensive but nutritionally complete source of protein. Hard-boiled eggs are perfectly portable snacks.

Stock up: My grocer's circulars are my ‘bible' for meal planning. Stock up on lean protein, frozen vegetables and any cereal that's on sale, as long as it's low sugar and low fat (less than 5% of the Daily Value).

Beverages: Nicole Bengtson, registered dietitian for eDiets, uses a Brita pitcher to filter drinking water, instead of buying bottled water.

Clip coupons: For items that you use, not just because they're on sale: Look for daily favorites, like cereal, dairy, eggs, canned beans, pasta and rice.

Seasonal local fruits and vegetables are the least expensive…with the best nutrition. Avoid items shipped in from out of the country…they'll be more costly (unless the store runs a sale).

Frozen fruit: When fruit is on sale (like strawberries right now) I rinse, trim and pat dry (get all the water droplets off) a couple of quarts of tasty berries (do this with any variety) and freeze in heavy plastic freezer bags.

Condiments: Cook with less expensive canola oil and save the extra virgin olive oil to drizzle on your salad. Instead of more costly balsamic vinegar, make a super vinaigrette with wine vinegar: Whisk with dried herbs, a little canola oil and fresh lime or orange juice.

Brand disloyalty: Instead of reaching for the more expensive brand-name, buy your grocer's brand: it's less expensive and generally equal quality to the brand names.

Soda: Discontinue all sweetened drinks, including soda, teas and fruit drinks -- save lots of money, and also saves your teeth and waistline, too.

Prepare: Nutritionist Julia Cruz loves to cook, but like most, she's time-challenged. She says she buys sale-priced chicken, beef and pork in bulk and before freezing into single-serve sizes, trims all fat so that when she's ready to cook, it's a breeze. As she says,"time is money".

eDiets has great ways for you to eat healthy, lose weight and take control of your life. With our 24/7 online support, we're there whenever you need us for inspiration and support. To get started, visit eDiets and fill out a free diet profile