We can't talk about living a healthy lifestyle without addressing diets. Many of us are overweight. I for one have tried a number of different diets and have to say that not all of them are budget friendly. This week, let's discuss what to look for when looking for a budget friendly diet.

First of all, be wary of diets that require you to buy food from the company. Sure, people do lose weight on these diets, but it's probably because they can't afford to buy any additional food. This does ensure that you'll stay on the plan, but do you really want to be confined to a plan that much? More importantly, there may be times when your budget simply will not allow for these expensive foods.

Special memberships are another thing to look out for. If you have to pay to get the information for a diet, it's not budget friendly. There are exceptions to the rule though. For example, you can find all the information you need for the Weight Watchers diet for free. All you have to do is search the internet.

Dieters should also avoid diets that are too complicated. If a diet is complicated, chances are that any money you spend might go to waste. This is because that diets that are complicated usually fail. Take it from me. If the diet is too time consuming and requires too much from the dieter, you'll find yourself quickly breaking the complicated rules.

So, what does work? Plain and simple, I've found two plans that work and are budget friendly. The first plan is to simply count calories. This plan doesn't require you to eat any certain foods, which means that it's inexpensive. Plus, it's straight forward. You determine the amount of calories needed to lose weight and then stay within that range.

The easiest diet I've ever found though, that's budget friendly, is to simply make good choices. We all know what's good and what's bad for our bodies. With further research, we can even find the healthiest foods that also promote weight loss. That's really all it takes.

Fitness gurus and healthy eating fanatics are always raving about the importance of downsizing portion sizes and why it's important to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. If you want to lose weight and keep up with your weekly fitness routine, eating mini meals really is the way to go. Small, well-balanced meals throughout the day will keep your energy levels up because your blood sugar remains stable. This means you don't experience 'highs and lows' just from eating different foods, and you can actually get through your day without getting too hungry.

The best way to keep up with this habit? Pack a day's worth of food in a lunch tote and carry it around with you. This reduces the risk that you'll overeat at the next meal, and also prevents you from making an unnecessary trip to the nearest fast food pit stop or clearing out the vending machine.

Some of the best foods you can pack include whole grain crackers, lean meats, low-fat cheese sticks, yogurt and meal replacement bars. If you plan to eat a complete meal at the office, make sure it's a well-balanced one. For most people working in an office, staying focused is a priority; you can avoid the late-afternoon slump by making sure the center of your meal is high in protein. Grilled, skinless chicken breasts, grilled salmon, or even tofu will fill you up fast and keep your energy levels up throughout the day.

If you're planning to hit the gym before heading home after work, you will need to pack a few extra foods to make it through your workout. Eat a high-protein snack right before the workout to maximize the calorie and fat-burning potential of your routine. Make sure you drink plenty of water during and after your workout, and eat a combination of protein and carbs to refuel and restore your energy levels.

For the final meal of the day, go light; a lean protein for dinner coupled with a large salad is the ideal menu item at the end of the day. If you're craving something a little heartier, stick with smaller portions so you can enjoy your favorite meal without the guilt!

Dining out can be every dieter's dilemma of the day. How do you keep up with the diet when the restaurant only serves gourmet platters and over-the-top desserts? As tempting as it may be to just order the daily special and declare it is not a diet day, there are ways to scale back and keep those diet resolutions.

If you're heading out to lunch with the boss or enjoying dinner at your favorite family restaurant, don't sabotage your healthy diet, instead use these tips:

1. Start with soup. A vegetable broth-based soup is a simple way to fill up on fewer calories and enjoy a great meal. Hot soup is a nourishing mini-meal in itself and can fill you up, fast. Start with a bowl of hearty soup then follow it with light lunch fare for a well-balanced, satisfying meal.

2. Eat protein first. Whether you've ordered grilled chicken or roast turkey, chow down on the lean proteins first to prevent a post-meal energy slump. Protein eaten on an empty stomach will keep your energy levels steady and may even reduce your appetite - this makes it much easier to get through the afternoon without snacking on extra treats.

3. Dressing on the side. Even the low-fat dressing you see on the menu can have up to 15 grams of fat per serving, and most of it is probably unsaturated. Steer clear of this diet saboteur by ordering dressing on the side so you can dip your veggies slightly in the concoction for a little flavor. Or you can order safe dressing like balsamic vinaigrette or lemon juice and olive oil for a healthy splash of flavor.

4. Fall in love with red. From soups to pasta sauces, stick with tomato-based dishes to scale back on fat and calories. Marinara sauce and tomato broths are a much healthier choice than the rich and creamy sauces used for clam chowders, Fettuccine Alfredo and even pizza toppings.

5. Enjoy fresh fruit for dessert. Restaurants often serve fresh fruit cups or fruit sides on the children's menu but may also offer a small bowl for dessert. Enjoy some fresh fruit to curb that sweet tooth and skip the rich dessert platter to save a few hundred calories from your daily calorie log. If you must have something from the dessert menu, consider ordering it 'to go' to store in a cooler or lunch tote and enjoy it in small bites the rest of the day or week.

It's easy enough setting goals to 'lose ten pounds' or 'get in shape this year,' but when it comes to putting your diet intentions into practice, the idea can disappear in a flash. Free food at the office, snack attacks when stress levels run high and the temptation to overindulge at dinner can easily add a few pounds to the waistline and completely derail your diet.

Still, there are some easy ways to navigate through your day without partaking in diet sabotage. Here some simple tricks for keeping hunger at bay and just saying 'no' to diet saboteurs:

Pack a Lunch
Grab a lunch bag and stock up on all your favorite healthy fare for a day's food supply. From granola bars and low fat yogurt to a healthy tuna sandwich, you can make your menu ahead of time and turn to your lunch pack when hunger strikes. Having your own food close at hand makes it easier to avoid the snack machine and tempting treats throughout the day.

Sip on Water
Water is good for the body and mind, giving your brain a boost when you're tired and helping the body flush out toxins naturally. Staying hydrated will also ward off hunger pangs; carry a water bottle that you can fill up throughout the day to keep yourself well hydrated and energized throughout your busy day.

Scale Back on Coffee
The coffee habit may be one of your diet demons in disguise; while coffee will give you that jolt you crave, you're also likely to experience a crash in a few hours that leaves you hungry and craving sweets. Start cutting back on coffee and sip on milder, healthier forms of caffeine, like green tea, to keep up your energy level naturally.

Keep Track of Your Meals
Jot down your food intake over the course of the day and keep it close by your side to avoid overindulging. Holding yourself accountable may make it easier to stick with your healthy intentions, especially when the office is dishing out baked goods galore.

Hit the Gym
A brief exercise session each morning will rev up the metabolism and also keep hunger pangs at bay. Starting your day with a healthy activity can also make it easier to make healthier choices the rest of the day.

When it comes to dealing with stress, there's a direct link between how well you take care of yourself and how well you handle tension. A big part of this is diet, but it's hard to watch what you eat. When you stop to think about it, how do you know when you're feeling stressed out? Your muscles tense, your heart rate increases, and you might even get a headache. Many of the signs of stress are physical. By taking small steps to improve what you eat, you can better prepare your body for handling stress later on. Even the busiest people can do three easy things to make their diets just a little bit healthier.

Stay Hydrated
This is probably the most important. I've noticed a big difference in how I feel when I'm not staying hydrated, and how I feel when I do. The best way to handle this is to keep a bottle of water (or tea, etc.) with you at all times. If it's there, you're more likely to drink it, and less likely to run for the soda machine down the hall.

Avoid Temptation Altogether
I find this really hard to do, but it works! The idea is simple enough: if you want to improve your health and resistance to stress, don't buy junk food. If it's not in the house, you can't sit around eating it in the evenings. I'm usually pretty mad when I want a big bowl of ice cream after dinner, but am I mad enough to make a special trip to the store? No.

Make It Easy
During your busy day and when you get home from work, you're probably not likely to whip up a nutritious meal. If you plan ahead in the mornings and after dinner, you're more likely to eat well. Pack your lunch in advance, with healthy things you like to eat. For an easy evening meal, throw lean meats and fresh vegetables into slow cookers in the morning for a hot meal when you get home. A little advanced planning makes it easy to stay hydrated, healthy and ready to face the world.