Question:
I enjoyed your recent South Beach Diet articles, but I don't think this diet is right for someone on a budget. Mahi mahi? Steak? As a college student, how can I afford these recipes?
- Kelly
Answer:
At first glance, the recipes in The South Beach Diet book may sound a little high brow; granted, some of them do contain those foods you mentioned.
But you don't have to use the recipes in order to follow The South Beach Diet, so don't let them intimidate you. As long as you follow the Foods to Enjoy and Foods to Avoid lists and How to Adapt Your Meal Plan chart you don't have to worry about the meal plan either.
That's the beauty of this diet. The recipes are there if you wish to make them, but they're really just suggestions for how to prepare allowable foods.
You can always customize what you choose to eat for your budget and your own preferences.
There are plenty of foods on the Foods to Enjoy list that are affordable.
For example, fat-free or low-fat lunch meat can be used to make the roll ups for snacks. Buy plenty when they are buy one get one free and freeze one pack to use later.
Salads are a staple for The South Beach Diet. You can buy fresh produce to make them at home for less than the price of those premium fast food restaurant salads.
Plus, the new meal replacement bars from the Kraft South Beach Diet line are available in 12-packs. That makes them just over $1 each. They're great for grabbing on the go when you're running late for class.
There are also South Beach Diet entrees and sandwich wraps, cereals, cereal bars, and more. The meals and sandwich kits run about $4 each at my local grocer. That's about what you'd spend if you ate at a fast food joint, right?
So, go ahead and give this diet a whirl! I highly recommend it. It's a great way to drop those freshman 15! Good luck and thanks for writing.
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