High in nutrition. I choose better nutritional values over calories or cost, but I do try to balance the two Cs. I don't buy low calorie junk food though, any more than I buy cheap junk food.

I always buy what is healthier, but it really stinks how much more expensive it is to eat better. Someday it will be nice to not have to feel guilty whenever I go grocery shopping, but my Ph.D. stipend really doesn't pay for much more than a roof over my head and mac and cheese every night. To eat fresh and healthy (and I generally cook from scratch, it's not like I buy all pre-packaged meals), I have to deplete my pre-grad school savings account.

I used to buy the helathier option regardless -- but now that I'm on a budget I try to find a balance between the two. Healthy and inexpensive is NOT an easy thing to do.

Calories are NOT a factor in my shopping. Healthfulness is (not to be confused with calories), ingredients are, and overall cost.

I picked 'low in cost'. The thing is: I only (or mostly) buy healthy foods, but if I have to choose between three different low fat yoghurts, I choose the cheapest. Hence 'low in cost'.

always low in calories, my health is more important than my bank account.

I usually choose the cheapest low in calorie food. Or, if its not an option, I go with the cheaper food if its something I know I can control my eating.

i want to buy heathier but i am on a budget so that makes it hard

One thing that people tend to overlook is the fact that practically anyone can eat healthfully, regardless of the cost. A bag of lentils cost under a dollar, meat can be purchased in bulk and frozen for later use, soup can be made for super cheap and last a long time. Yeah, your grocery bill might be higher than normal, but the food will last a whole lot longer. Making things from scratch is almost always cheaper in the long run than buying pre-made stuff.

Also if you cut coupons and look for sales, a lot of times the healthy stuff is on sale. It's just a matter of really wanting to eat healthfully and taking the necessary steps to find a good deal.

I would love to choose more healthy, less calorie food but I have two major problems when I'm shopping: money and my husband.

We are both students now and don't have a lot to spend - so, we do most of our shopping together. My husband has this bias (right word?): If he notice any of these words "healthy", "less calories", "+omega" or if it's green.. etc.. - there is no way he is buying it. Like it wouldn't taste good and wouldn't be the same "real" ingredient.

Because he is cooking (I'm an awful cook) - he usually wins this battle. I just don't like to argue. He has great body (he probably could eat like this for rest of his life and still have a great body), but I'm getting weight and feeling stiff. Something have to be done SOON. Does anyone have this same problem?

Only saying it's healthier doesn't work - "he prefer taste" - the taste of creamy sauces, hot peppers and real butter... I love his cooking but they are just "too good" for everyday

I don't really think about cost too too much...it's more important to me to buy healthier foods. And I buy organic when I can.

marthalilian126 I'm with you on that. I pay 1k for rent, utilities, car payment, insurance and so much more. Maybe if I had some financial assistance I could buy more "better" foods but I make due.

I put depends, sometimes my budget allows me to buy better foods, sometimes it doesn't. I work on commission so really sometimes all I can afford is whatever $5 will get me at the grocery store for the next 2 days. Other times I buy the best I can. I'd love to always buy the best but sometimes I can't. But I do always get my dog the best dog food no matter what. haha priorities.

When it comes to prepared foods, healthier is always more expensive. However, as long as they don't rot in your fridge, the produce section pound for pound is about as cheap as it gets!

I would love to say that price was no object but have realized that sometimes the healthy choice is not always something I can afford. I have started a new system where I only take $50 cash to the store and it has cut down on the amount of food that ends up going bad because I buy too much than can't eat it and having too much crap at home.

I prefer Low in calories

For me it's about buying a food that is whole, real and as chemical free as possible, if that means some more calories than some chemical-rich alternative, fine by me. I'd rather eat something real than "fat free" fake food. I have a feeling that most thin people aren't the ones eating calorie free stuff!

this is where my problem comes from.. i'm trying to get away from disordered eating by having more healthy foods around.. but the reality is, good nutritional food costs a lot more. if i tried to afford eating healthy, i wouldn't be able to eat every day! i can't sacrifice the little money i have, so i have to sacrifice my health.

The only numbers I look at on packaging are on the Nutritional Info chart. I don't even look at prices. However, my boyfriend will get the cheapest foods he can find for himself. Well, not the cheapest, but cheapER. But he's funny because he'll get me anything that says organic somewhere on the packaging like he's a little kid bringing me home something he made at school.

I hardly eat packaged food, and if you're willing to spend the time, it's not that bad on the budget. Fruit and Veggies are cheap. Meat can get more expensive, but I think my health is worth it.

It depends on what time of the month it is. It is closer to the 15th, i am buying the cheapest. If it is after the 15th, I am buying the healthier. Although, i am finding a lot of cheaper healthier food at trader joes, my new fav!

i like foods that are naturally low in calories (go v8!) and i love me some light'n'fit yogurt... i'm a poor student too, but that doesn't mean i need to live off of easymac and frozen crap. i do go through a lot of milk though and THATs expensive and 90 calories a glass EEK.

I buy healthy (low cal/fat/organic) and my bf buys whatever's cheapest.

I always go for healthier foods, like fresh fruit/veggies. The issue is that health nut products, like bars and cereals, are uber expensive.... so I can't always get those.

Its not always that difficult to make the right choices for the right price. I dont really by much packaged goods most of what we eat is natural and as far as dressing etc.. I make my own. Most meals are prepared from scratch .. the most expensive thing I would have to say is the chicken breast and fish, but I have started buying the breasts on the bone and de-boning and trimming myself. But I can definitely see why its hard at times for some.

I haven't found it that much more expensive- if at all- to eat healthy. Produce, eggs, bulk meat, bulk plain oatmeal, etc. is all pretty darn cheap. Plus, now that my boyfriend is packing his lunch (which I have always done), he is saving the money on eating out AND eating healthier.

I spend way too much $$ on food. Usually taste + health wins out over money, but I am really trying to cut back on the spending. Trader Joe's is a lifesaver!

My biggest splurge is on special vegetarian stuff at Whole Foods. While produce is my #1 veggie choice, they have soo much special vegetarian food (I'm talking about the pre-packaged foods, not like tofu, tempeh and seitan) that buying it feels like I've never given anything up. It's really expensive, and I'm trying to stay away from it! It's not like I'll die if I never eat a vegetarian corn dog!

Oh I also justify spending lots of cash for food by the fact that I don't go out to nightclubs or bars very often anymore, and when I do, I rarely drink. I only drink wine we get from Trader Joe's. Instead, I go to Blockbuster, for walks, or Starbucks dates. We also try to limit eating out! Living in LA and avoiding the nightlife can prevent you from spending lots of money!

I go cheap. I can't help myself!