healthy eating on a budget – week 7

Somehow we are another week down!  I just don’t know where they go, but I’m not complaining!

I did a pretty good job this week of using what I had on hand.  I also made a batch of whole grain banana bread which helped in terms of having a whole grain carb on-hand for snacks and breakfasts.

As a result of forcing myself to use what I had, I definitely repeated food items more than I usually do, but in a way it was good because it forced me to get creative and use the same things in different ways.  Even though I was eating a lot of the same items, I never felt like I was bored or tired of them (it also helps that my sister made me a delicious homemade turkey meatball dinner one of the nights!).

Total Spent: $31.43

Groceries Purchased:

Produce: Apples (5), Pear (1), Oranges (2)

Pantry Items: Can of lentil soup, can of low-sodium minestrone soup, box of Quaker Oatmeal Squares

Dairy: Carton of soymilk, 16 oz. container of Greek Yogurt

Protein: Carton of eggs

Freezer Items: Kashi frozen Mayan Harvest Bake meal, bag of broccoli florets, bag of brussel sprouts, bag of peach slices

Things I had on hand: Frozen loaf of whole wheat bread, chicken breasts and chicken sausage, whole wheat pasta, 2 sweet potatoes, natural peanut butter, feta cheese, whole wheat hot dog buns, chia seeds, coffee

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 1

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 2

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 3

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 4

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 5:

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 6:

Healthy Eating on a Budget Week 7:

Day One:

Breakfast #1: 6 oz. plain greek yogurt mixed with 1 tbsp. chia seeds topped with a crumbled slice of whole grain banana bread, diced apple and peanut butter plus coffee with soymilk

Lunch #1: Big bowl of roasted brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and chicken sausage

Dinner #1: Treated to a homemade dinner by my sister! Whole wheat penne topped with homemade turkey meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce with sautéed mixed veggies and melted mozzarella

Day Two:

Breakfast #2: 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats mixed with a diced apple and a spoonful of natural peanut butter plus coffee with soymilk on the side

Lunch #2: Trader Joe’s low sodium minestrone soup with grilled chicken breast added in plus toasted whole wheat bread with olive oil and an orange.

Dinner #2: Whole wheat penne with broccoli, chicken sausage, a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt

Day Three:

Breakfast #3: Slice of homemade whole grain banana bread topped with peanut butter, plain greek yogurt mixed with chia seeds and a diced apple

Lunch #3: Scrambled eggs with roasted brussel sprouts and feta cheese plus whole wheat toast with olive oil and an orange.

Dinner #3: Trader joe’s lentil & vegetable soup with toasted whole wheat roll topped with olive oil and salt.

Day Four:

Breakfast #4: Bowl of Quaker Oatmeal Squares with soymilk, a pear and coffee

Lunch #4: Chicken sausage with ketchup and mustard on a whole wheat bun with roasted sweet potato and brussel sprouts and an apple.

Dinner #4: Whole wheat penne drizzled with olive oil then topped with shredded chicken breast, broccoli and feta cheese

Day Five:

Breakfast #5: 1/2 cup of oats with 1 tbsp. chia seeds and diced peach slices topped with granola and sunflower seed butter plus coffee and soymilk on the side.

Lunch #5: Kashi mayan harvest bake meal with homemade baked tortilla chips and an apple

And dinner #5 was had on-the-go since I was traveling so wasn’t included in the groceries or the budget!  Happy weekend everyone!

disclaimer: i share these meals for inspiration and because i’m often asked for the recipes on instagram.  please note that i do not share these meals with the intention of them being prescriptive or because you should eat exactly what i eat.  everyone is different and requires different calories and nutrition.  if you’re seeking an individualized plan for you, consult a dietitian in your area.

Related posts:

your work week dinner game plan your work week dinner game plan 5 dinners to make this week 32 breakfast recipes to make this fall 5 lunches to make this week your work week dinner game plan your work week dinner game plan your work week dinner game plan your work week dinner game plan your work week dinner game plan