A healthy balanced diet is one that contains all the requisite amounts of nutrients that are required for healthy growth and functioning of your body. Such a diet must contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber in the correct proportions so that it can help you remain healthy and also address any weight loss or weight gain problems that you may be suffering from. A balanced diet should comprise of a wide variety of foods that contain all the vital nutrients that ensure good health and reduce the risk of various debilitating diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart ailments and bone diseases.
Eat a Good Breakfast
There is an old adage that advices you to breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper. This is especially true if you are tempted to save money. It's never a good idea to skip breakfast, as not only will you find it difficult to concentrate, but you will also end up eating unnecessary snacks before your midday meal. A good low-fat, high-carb breakfast staves off hunger pangs, helps you concentrate and reduces stress. Simple foods such as muesli, porridge and fresh fruits are inexpensive and nutritious as well. The inclusion of proteins in the form of eggs or cheese and carbohydrates in the form of bread can make breakfast a complete meal that's relatively inexpensive.
Eat Three Regular Meals
It's essential that you don't skip meals so that you remain energized throughout the day and are not tempted to binge on expensive snacks that are detrimental to your health.
Avoid Junk Food
Junk food is expensive and doesn't help to fight off hunger pangs. In addition, such food is not nutritious as it's filled with additives, preservatives and artificial colors.
Make Your Own Meals
Buying ingredients to make your own meals is cheaper and healthier than buying ready meals that are high in salt content and low in nutrients. Make sure you buy and consume rice and potatoes as such food is cheap and keeps you satiated for a longer period.
Be Careful with Dinner
If you plan to eat out, remember that breakfast and lunch is cheap, but dinner is the most expensive meal. If you do have to go out for dinner, have a glass of milk and some fruit before you head out so that you need not have a full meal.
Keep Healthy Snacks at Hand
It's wise to keep healthy snacks such as fresh fruits and nuts available at home, as such snacks are inexpensive and full of vitamins and minerals. Nuts are rich in proteins and can help you feel satiated for a longer period of time in comparison to a bar of chocolate.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration and is preferable to drinking expensive and harmful bottled drinks.
Eating foods that include leafy vegetables, pulses, fruits and milk and cutting out on processed foods can prove to be a healthy and inexpensive way of staying fit on a shoe-string budget
