You want to eat well—you just prefer not to hand over all your hard-earned cash to the grocery store cashier. We've got some good news for both your wallet and waistline: You can eat a healthy diet without breaking the bank. Registered dietitian Beth Sumrell Ehrensberger offers these smart, penny-pinching strategies. Try a few, and you'll find they really add up.

Shop around. Buy the Sunday newspaper and peruse the circulars, or check the Internet. You'll find store and manufacturer coupons that can save you quite a bit of money. And don't forget to check out warehouse stores and Internet grocers; they may offer competitive prices on specific brands and specialty foods.

One note: You may want to limit yourself to only a couple of stores. Think about itI: If have to drive all around town to get the best deals, you'll end up spending all your savings on gas. Not to mention, shopping in an unfamiliar store can be time-consuming.

Plan ahead. Take a few minutes to think about what you'd like to cook or make for the week. Then, whip up a list based on this meal plan, and stick to it. Don't buy anything that's not on the list.

Limit your trips. If you can, try to hit the supermarket no more than once a week. That will automatically help you keep your spending under control.

Fly solo. When it comes to shopping, going stag is the best way to save your greens. If you leave your spouse and kids at home, you can easily take $20 off your total bill.

• Download more recipes, an exercise video and the Circle of Life exercise from Bob Greene's Best Life Diet
• The Best Life Diet and The Best Life Diet Cookbook by Bob Greene
• Get weight loss advice from Bob and Oprah