Cheap Diets That Work

Countless books have been published on dieting. While most people find it difficult and expensive to follow strict dieting regiments, there are simple diets that you can follow to help you lose weight without spending too much money.

Cost

There are always risks when it comes to choosing a diet to follow. You can spend money and a lot of time on a diet plan or program without ever truly achieving your desired results. In some instances, it could work if executed properly and if the program is a reliable one.

Did you know that the most reliable source of dietary information is available for free? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the best source of information for all the dietary guidelines you need in maintaining a healthy weight.

Diet

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the rules of healthy dieting are threefold: Make smart choices from every food group, find a balance between food and exercise, and lastly, get the most nutrition out of your calories.

Follow these three simple rules instead of waiting for the latest diet trend to hit the market. Remember that the internet is a convenient and inexpensive source of information on healthy eating, dieting and exercising.

When grocery shopping, focus on the fresh produce aisles; they are usually inexpensive. Also consider going to your local farmer's market, as it can help you reduce costs and stay on budget.

Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products to your grocery list. You need to emphasize food items from this these categories instead of snacks, soda and junk food that are high in fat and cholesterol. Purchasing foods that have low nutrient value just translates to unnecessary spending.

You will also save money by purchasing frozen produce more often. It is inexpensive and you can store it for a while, reducing cost due to spoilage.
Limit your meat and sugar intake, as they should only take up a small portion of your diet.

Remember that healthy dieting should be consistent and does not need to be tricky, trendy and expensive.

Low-Cost Diet Programs

If you are looking to follow a more structured diet program, look for reliable sources online that can give you diet plans at no cost. With these programs, you control your own spending by shopping wisely while following the diet's recommended food menu.

Try iVillage's "Drop 10 Fast" diet plan by Lynn Grieger, who is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. This is a simple diet with meal ideas divided into three basic categories: on the run, family-friendly, and cheap and easy. The idea is to fit a diet plan into your lifestyle.

Another one that is worth looking into is the Diet Bites free weight loss program. This online diet guide is simple and aims at building a healthy diet that is filled with nutritious foods. The diet is based on calorie needs per day and it offers free diet menus. It also recommends moderate exercise for optimum weight loss.