There are so many healthy recipes online, but many are wanting huge ingredients list of things you’ve probably never heard of. In my opinion the healthiest foods are ones that are most natural. Chicken, potato, and vegetables give you protein, fat and carbs. But it’s the flavouring you add to the meal that can be unhealthy.

shepherd’s pie is a great one only a few simple ingredients and mince which is cheap. Plus you can serve with salad or steamed veggies. I get lots of my ideas from http://www.weightloss.com.au there’s ones on there the whole family can enjoy.

I like to make my own food because its healthy. I buy the basics like chicken breast, legs, thigh cutlets. Stewing steak or lamb if you like red meat. (Chop breasts and meat) Fresh cheap fish is also good. I throw enough for all in a big pot add a couple cups water with powered stock (chicken) and a couple tablespoons of tomato paste stir cook half hour on medium then lower when bubbling. Then add your favourite vegs. chopped small. Cook another half hour. One pot to wash and a cheap, tasty, healthy meal. I don’t like added spice, there’s enough salt in the stock and I don’t like fatty meats. You can do many variations of this meal. Sausages for the kids. Even hubby will love it. In summer make and serve cold with a side salad. For variety just change the main protein and different vegs. Now and again add some rice or noodles, spaghetti just for the children and hubby. Also buy a Coles or Woolworths roast chicken add your own vegs or make coleslaw and a few chips. Throw together any left overs add mashed potatoes and make rissoles, tomato sauce on the table with again home made chips, still a healthy cheap meal. Good health is not only about what you eat but how much. Too much of anything is not good. Protein and vegs with some fruit is what we should all aim for. Make sure you remove all fat off meat products. love to all Lyn.

Meat can be expensive so I sometimes reduce the amount of meat per serving and add near vegetarian meals occasionally. Quiche is a good one, a small amount of bacon helps if your partner doesn’t accept vego! Different stor fry with rice or noodles. Good luck!

Wraps (salad and sliced meat)
Omlette
Pasta and salad
Home made pizza with anything u got left over!

Good old Google, you’ll find Italy there. Or right here, Mouths of Mums had some awesome recipes!

A big pot of veggie soup is quite cheap to make and very healthy. Warming for this time of year too.

I have a great cook book written by The Two Old Ducks which uses a lot of things you already have and lots of good ideas for using ie chicken roasted in another meal night after but different type of meal. Best recipes.com is also a good site for inspiration

Slow cooker meals are great as left overs can be frozen and can also be made using cheaper cuts of meat. there are some great slow cooker groups on Facebook which posts recipes.

I just had crispy pork belly with asian noodle salad for dinner. It is easy and very delicious!

Fritters. Zuchini fritters, corn fritters you name it you can make it into a fritter. Also I like grating any vegetable I can into spagetti sauce.

Mince meat is a good choice for budget meals, it can make a variety of meals such as savoury mince, spaghetti bol, rissoles, chow mein stir fry. I always have spare in my freezer.

Hi I find the 4 ingredients books wonderful! Also their are many delicious and healthy recipes on this site that you could do on a budget too

I look at the recipes on this site and also use taste.com for good ideas. Chicken dishes are always a hit in our household. There are so many varieties, but very easy to cook healthy meals.

Soups are great and stews. My favourite is chicken, vegetable and barley.
Brown leek in a large pot, then add your chicken and any herbs/ spices. Dice up your choice of veg (I use carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes) add 1 cup chicken stock and will till covered with boiling water. Let simmer away. Meanwhile boil 1/2 cup barley for 30min, strain and then add to chicken mix. Simmer for 30min and serve.

You can make your own burgers. Buy wholegrain rolls, use a leaner mince or chicken or turkey mince. If using chicken or turkey, add herbs, seasoning and mayo (or aioli) with tsp of paprika in it. mix into patties and pan fry.

Burritos, fajitas and nachos can be healthy if you use a leaner meat option…lean beef mince or chicken breast grilled. Just don’t use all the flavouring in the sachet…just a sprinkle to give some flavour. the rest is salad

If you like salmon or fish…oven bake it (fish with some parsley and lemon). Serve with either salad and couscous or veg (green beans and broccolini) and either couscous or sweet potato chips (air fried or oven baked).

easy option is to toast some bagels. Top with baby spinach leaves, avocado, pan fried mushrooms, poached eggs and either smoked salmon or ham. This is a lovely weekend breakfast option too.

Pan fry some prawns (plain or garlic) and add to pasta using a little Philadelphia cooking cream (light option) or just add to salad.
You can also buy just 1 steak and grill it to your liking and then thinly slice it and add to a mixed salad with a sprinkle of Asian crunchy noodles and your choice of dressing. Can also do this with chicken breast.

Hawaiian chicken with salad or veg. Chicken breast topped with diced fresh pineapple, rind less bacon diced up and a sprinkle of grated cheese grilled till melted (pre cook chicken) or baked in the oven.

Adapt your mince recipes like spag bol by swapping some of the mince for finely chopped vegies and crushed chickpeas or 4 bean mix. Cheaper and healthier and even my hubby thinks its tastier

Well, as first think I could cut off red meat. Don’t eat it more than once a week. Eat chicken or turkey instead. Cook using pulses, that are inexpensive and healthy. Make big omelets, prepare wraps. Check which vegetables are on discount and buy them. In these days for example leeks are very cheap and avocados too. Cook rice, couscous, pasta… And find ideas here in MOM’s indeed and in Internet. You can do it!

If i am on a tight budget i google $10 meals for 4 . when you do a wide range of choices come up with ideas from kids spot to budget meals etc.

There are some really good recipes in here, and one of my favourite sites is taste. com. au
So many recipes you can use, and you can use supermarket specials to work out what to cook. Mince is a really good staple, you can do many different things with it.

I work with what’s on special and create dishes using that as a base. For instance, if pumpkin is on special it might be pumpkin soup. Look at the recipes on MoM because they are written by real mums with budgets and health in mind. Some nutrient rich foods are extremely cheap, like eggs, oats ,sweet potato, broccoli or brown rice. You can definitely eat healthy without having to buy super expensive food. An example could be omelettes or oats for breakfast. A chicken or tuna salad using romaine lettuce for lunch and a spaghetti loaded with veggies and lean beef mince for dinner. Snacks could be two pieces of seasonal fruit plus nuts or yoghurt. Ensure you get enough calories to fuel your body. If you want to eat ice cream, chocolate etc on occasion that’s perfectly okay.