 When the food budget is tight, it can feel much more difficult to make healthy food choices. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your family's food budget. Firstly, it helps to plan ahead. Think about the healthy, affordable foods that are available to you, and then try making a meal plan for the week ahead. Adding dry beans, split peas, lentils, and other vegetarian protein sources to a meal increases the total protein or building foods in that meal without increasing the cost too much. Every week, plan on including meals that use vegetarian protein sources like beans instead of meat or chicken. Beans and soy products like tofu can also be cooked and mixed with meat or chicken in savory dishes. This will improve the overall nutritional value of the dish because it'll have less fat and more fiber, and this will also reduce the cost of each serving. Drink clean, fresh water instead of sweetened drinks when you're thirsty. Most people need six to eight glasses of water every day to stay healthy. Foods that are less processed are often less expensive because they don't have fancy and expensive packages. These less processed foods are usually healthier too. Choosing vegetables and fruits that are in season will make it more affordable to eat enough of these important health-protecting foods. For example, peaches are less expensive in the summer months because they're plentiful at that time of year. Apples and oranges are more plentiful in the winter months, so these fruits are good choices for winter treats. Fruits that are overripe can be cooked or mashed and mixed with cereal to add extra vitamins and natural sweetness to the morning meal. Leftover food can be added, maybe with some extra vegetables, to make a delicious healthy soup for the next day's meal. When you start preparing dinner, start by cooking one half of a chopped onion in a small amount of vegetable oil, just enough to coat the bottom of the pot. This is an inexpensive way to add flavor to any soup or savory dish, and good flavor increases your enjoyment of the meal. When you're eating on a budget, enjoy smaller amounts of healthy food instead of larger amounts of foods that are low in nutrients. Nutritious foods will leave you and your family feeling satisfied for longer, and they'll also protect your health.