Layna--have you tried buying food in bulk and then freezing it to save money? Whenever I'm shopping for meat, I'll buy those huge family packs of chicken breast or pork chops (usually when they're on sale). Like, this past trip to the grocery store I spent $5 on a package of 7 large chicken breasts (weighing in at 3.5 pounds). I eat a lot of chicken breast when I'm watching what I eat, so I'll probably go through 6 of those large breasts in a week. I put Adobo or a southwest rub on the chicken breast, then pop it in the oven at 350. It doesn't take too long to cook and usually comes out juicy. I'll cook 6 at a time, then put them in tupperware in the fridge. Then, I pull them out to heat up when I need them.

I think the key to eating healthy is having healthy food available. When I'm being VERY on, I'll pre-cook my proteins (chicken, pork chops, bacon...whatever) and my vegetables on Sunday night, so I have most of the components of my meals pre-cooked. If I want to have a chicken caesar salad, I've got the chicken pre-cooked. I've even started pre-chopping my Romaine lettuce so I can't make any excuses not to eat a salad.

Fruit and vegetables can get pricey, but I feel that they're worth it. I personally am not eating anything refined: pasta, bread, cereal, white flour or sugar, etc. They just don't keep me satisfied and those are the sorts of things I overeat on. Instead, I use a Joseph's whole grain Pita for bread (60 calories, 8g carbs, 4g fiber per pita). I do substitutions for things a lot.

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to give up what you like. If you like pasta and hamburger: try whole grain pasta and ground turkey breast. As long as you're measuring your portions and it fits into your calories, it's fine.

I think buying in bulk might help you out. Do you have something like a B.J.s, Sam's Club or Whorles near you, where you can buy food in bulk?

I'm sorry, I've taken to ranting