South Beach Diet on a Budget

by Andrea Lott

Overview

Even if you're on a budget, the South Beach Diet can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy body size. Although staples of the South Beach Diet such as fresh produce and lean meats potentially cost more than their processed or canned counterparts, a thrifty shopper can find the deals and stick to the plan. Lose weight while saving money with a few accommodations.
Restaurant Dining

The South Beach Diet calls for sensible portions. While dining out, consider splitting a meal with your partner or friend, or save half your meal for lunch the next day. Skip dessert and have a cup of coffee or a low-fat latte instead. As an alternative, choose a side salad as your appetizer and order a smaller entree. Eating less keeps you on the diet while stretching your restaurant budget.

Stocking the Kitchen

Save money by preparing meals in bulk from scratch and storing leftovers for lunches instead of purchasing prepared entrees. Try a slow-cooker vegetable stew and carry leftovers to work to warm in the microwave, or grill some extra chicken for sandwiches. Buy food from a wholesale club and cook the large portions all at once. Portion food into single-meal servings and have the meals available for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
Sensible Shopping

Watch for sales. Plan your menus around the ingredients the market features at a low price each week. Not only will you save money, you will also usually enjoy items at their fresh seasonal peak, since produce normally goes on sale as it is abundantly harvested. Use coupons on double coupon days. Use sale items for more than one meal or snack. If you buy parmesan cheese, for instance, you might fix parmesan grilled tomatoes as a side dish for Monday's supper and use the rest of the cheese on Friday night's tilapia fillet.
Grow Your Own

The South Beach Diet relies on the flavor of freshly prepared vegetables and herbs to flavor food instead of using fillers and starches that add empty calories. To save money, grow your own vegetables and herbs in season, and plant an indoor herb garden or hothouse tomato if you have an area exposed to adequate sunlight. Use extra fresh vegetables and herbs when crops flourish in the summertime to make fresh salsa, gazpacho, ratatouille and fruit salads.