Weight loss can be challenging for many people. And as with most challenging situations, one of our very natural responses is to buy more products and services in an attempt to solve our problems.

Sure, a membership to a fancy gym can be helpful, and it doesn’t hurt to have all the latest weight loss tools at your disposal. But it’s a common misconception that healthy foods and an active lifestyle require a lot of money. The following tips can help you get your weight under control, without spending piles of cash.

Make it all from scratch. You don’t need pre-packaged “diet foods” in order to lose weight. In fact, one of the best ways to adopt a healthier diet is to purchase lean meats, fresh produce, uncooked rice, and so on… and then cook your own meals from scratch. Of course, many people find this to be challenging on a busy schedule.

Cook more than one meal at once. Cook double or triple portions of all meals, and reheat frozen leftovers on your busiest nights. If you fire up the grill, grill enough meat for several meals.

Locate budget-friendly takeout restaurants. Indian and Thai restaurants, for example, are known for their generous takeout portions and low prices. If you absolutely need to take off a night from cooking, order up some healthy low-priced entrees.

Switch to water. Diet sodas and other bottled drinks can eat a hole in your grocery budget. Switching to water is healthier anyway, and will save you more money than you might imagine.

Stock up on budget-friendly proteins. You need more protein in your diet, but meat can be expensive. Investigate other sources of protein, such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, dried beans, tofu, lentils, and so on. “Go vegetarian” for a few meals each week, and you’ll lower your food budget while also enjoying some healthy high-protein alternatives.

Check out the farmer’s market. Get up a little earlier on a Saturday, and check out your local farmer’s market. It can be a fun activity for the whole family, and you can often score great deals on fresher produce than you find in your grocery store.

Make an appointment with a weight loss doctor. Over the years, you might have spent countless dollars on one promising weight loss fad after another. Invest in a real solution by making an appointment with a weight loss doctor, who can test you for underlying medical conditions that can make weight loss difficult. You will receive expert advice on making healthy lifestyle changes, and you can end the harmful cycle of expensive yo-yo diets once and for all.