You are right on with the cost of the menus. I have to say that because I didn't have much of what is needed for the pantry, I'm having to buy things like balsamic vinegar, nuts, spices, and more.

Day 1 Grocery store for day 1 menu $50 dollars

Day 2 Grocery store for day 2 & 3 menu $40 dollars

The good news is that I can see where it will over time be cost effective once the initial "stock" is made for the pantry. Our dinner last night for myself and daughter cost under $5 so I do believe it will be very cost effective once the initial purchases are made.

Alot of the foods have been strange but it's really helpful for those of us who don't really know how to cook healthy. Everything I've eaten, I would try again so that's a good sign.

If you prepare your own menus it has to be hard balancing the nutritional content for each day. I for one am thankful for the menu planner, however, everyone should know that in addition to the pills, the food should most certainly be taken into account when planning finances.

Don't look at it as what you are spending today, look at it as what you are saving tomorrow because being overweight will, in the long run, cost so much more. The biggest thing I can see taking away from the Alli plan is the knowledge to change ones eating habits. This makes for true success. And think about how much food you can buy with the hospital bill for a triple bypass or diabetes supplies. This is reality and it hurts but everything that is worthwhile in the end does.

Good luck!

There is SO MUCH information out there on diets, low calorie foods you just need to go and find them online.  My favorite sites are:

 http://www.hungrygirl.com and

http://www.sparkpeople.com

I use SparkPeople as my tracking tool.  I am not loving the tool on this site and I am used to using Spark People.  The food database is HUGE and the meal plans they provide if you want them are easy - and perhaps a little less "froufy". 

 Some of my pantry staples include Wasa Crisps, Microwave Kettle Pop Corn (the 99% fat free, 100 calorie bags), The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges, and Uncle Ben's Ready Rice - Brown Rice and always cans of black beans, chick peas (homemade hummus!) and white beans (white bean dip with garlic). 

 I hope this helps.  My issue usually comes from boredom of eating the SAME stuff, so I hope to find other "inspiring" food finds that will make this "lifestyle change" fun and exciting.

Melissa

 Hi!  I tend to eat a lot of the same thing.  My favorite items are

Jarred marinara Sauce & Whole Wheat Pasta ($4  for 5 servings)

Whole Wheat English Muffin Pizzas with Tomato Paste and FF Mozzarella cheese ( $3.50 for 6 servings)

Oscar Meyer Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey  *** wrapped around Sweet Gherkins ($4.00 for several servings)

Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette or Red Wine vinegar ($2 for dressing and cost of salad mix)

Lipton Extra Noodle Soup is very filling- I eat a whole pack and there is 2 packs per package at $1

Salsa and Chicken *** in the Slow cooker  &2 for salsa & $4-5 for chicken  about 6-8 servings 

I admit I should add more meats to my diet as I eat a lot of carbs ( my fav! ) but I have stayed under budget and under calories with these choices (I have a few other things I eat as well, obviously) But on day 13 Starting out at 254 and at 240 with no exercise- besides cleaning up after 2 kids and an occasional dip in the pool- I don't feel like changing anytime soon.    

Good Luck, and Hope this Helps you come up with some ideas

Hi Everyone,

I can completely understand where you are all coming from. I spent 7 years in college and was very good at bargain, healthy, quick meals. Here are some ideas that I want to share:

• George Foreman grill - this is so worth the money. You will end up saving time and money cooking on this. Try to get one with the cookbook. There are the most basic grilling tips in there with the nutrition information included. You can grill meats, veggies, veggie burgers, frozen food, and whatever else you come up with. I like the one that you can take the top and bottom off to clean cause I am that bad at cleaning things.
• Frozen meals - they have greatly improved on the taste of these and they go on sale all of the time
• Soup - the research shows that having a vegetable soup before your meal will actually help you eat less. You can keep them around and use them as a meal, before your meal or with your meal.
• Tuna or salmon - I used to use the canned ones and now I keep the pouches around instead. They have so many new options available and they are great ways to get your omega-3 fat. Take a look at http://www.bumblebee.com/products.jsp

I hope that this helps,

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

I think that their recipe suggestions are there to guide you, but you don't have to follow them to the exact. Pasta is cheap and you can put chicken in pasta instead of shrimp. I buy the bags of turkey patties that are virtually fat free and a bag of chicken breasts and I am set for three weeks. I make a lot of crock pot stuff with my remaining veggie items so they won't go bad on me. I also shop at Costco (you don't need a membership to get in, just go with someone who does) and I bought a huge box of wild rice for like 6 dollars which will probably last me a year. Same with pasta, pasta sauce.. you spend a lot on your initial visit to Costco, but you won't have to go back for a really long time.  

Betty:

Thanks for the informative reply. One word of warning regarding tuna however, domestic tuna contains mercury, so women who could potentially become pregnant should limit their consumption of tuna.

This article outlines the FDA's concerns and the reason behind them.

Since many on this board potentially are women of child-bearing age, it is important that they take this very real health risk into consideration when making food decisions.

Because of the increase of pollution in the coastal waters, the tuna are taking in toxins, including mercury, and since they live a long time, the mercury is accumulating in their fat stores. The United States allows twice the amount of mercury to be in Tuna than Canada. Fisheries, in order to maximize profits will throw older, more toxic fish into the mix so they don't have to throw them away. As long as the averages come within the FDA requirements, it's perfectly legal.

However, the risk is very real, and should be considered when making food choices.

yes... healthy, fresh food can/wll cost more than Mac & cheese or Ramein noodles.  But if you are honest with yourself about $$$ spent on junk food - candy bars, chips, trips to Mickey D's; you will find that you are saving money beside eating healthier.

OneLastChance

Unfortunately, and based on my personal experience, it costs about twice as much to eat healthy. For future planning, try budgeting a little more toward your groceries, because its impossible to eat healthy and low fat cheap. Make a weekly list of the low fat and healthy foods you want to eat and how much it will cost. This will give you an idea of how you will need to maneuver your money to afford to eat better.

In the meantime, try these--dried beans, usually about $1.00/bag; bag of rice $1.00, shreaded lettuce or lead of lettuce $1.50...There are tons of foods that fit into the plan that are relatively cheap. You just have to be open minded and less picky.

I too do my own thing.   I eat a few frozen meals only because no one is home for me to cook for.   I grill alot of meat.   Even made some cube steak breaded and fried aka steak fingers.   I just weigh the meat and make sure I do not eat over 4 oz.  By the way that is in the nutrition log!   I grill lots of chicken and have either just chicken and veggies or a grilled chicken sandwich or salad.   I also found a turkey frank fat free and its better to me than other franks.  It is Bryant brand for those that are wondering.   They have fat free refried beans, fat free cheese and baked tostito scoops and you can make nachos with those.   Good luck to you!

Down 19 lbs and looking for more!

Linda

i know how you feel,so i couldnt figure it out let alone afford it.so what i did to make it easier,was i would go shopping for lean cuisne and healthy choice dinners and buy only the ones on sale and other healthy dinners,that way if you look hard enuff youll find alot on sale and a different variety.plus look for coupons.i know we all can do this we hang in there together,and put up a united front we can win the battle of the bulge.good luck everyone.im on unemployment and i only buy enuff for two meals a day and i fix my own breakfast.keep trying i know youll find a way.