Staying healthy does not have to mean following an expensive diet plan or buying costly health foods. A balanced diet made from simple, locally available foods can provide most of the nutrients your body needs.

Start your day with a nutritious breakfast such as eggs with roti, oats with milk and a banana, poha, upma, or idli with sambar. For lunch, include rice or roti along with dal, seasonal vegetables, and a protein source such as eggs, fish, chicken, paneer, chana, or soy. Adding curd can also provide protein and calcium.

For an evening snack, choose affordable options like roasted chana, peanuts, sprouts, or seasonal fruit instead of regularly eating packaged snacks and sugary foods. Dinner can be simple and lighter, such as roti with vegetables and dal or rice with fish, egg, and vegetables.

Some of the most affordable nutritious foods include eggs, dal, chana, peanuts, seasonal vegetables, bananas, milk, curd, and local fish. You do not need expensive supplements or imported “superfoods” to eat well.

The most important thing is variety and balance. Try to include vegetables and fruits regularly, enough protein, whole or minimally processed foods, and plenty of water. At the same time, limit excessive sugar, deep-fried foods, highly processed snacks, and sugary drinks.

A healthy diet can be simple: eat a variety of ordinary foods, control portions, choose seasonal and local ingredients, and maintain consistency. A nutritious home-cooked meal is often much cheaper and healthier than an expensive diet plan.