For dinner last night, I made a big double batch of black bean burgers and kept my fingers crossed my husband would like them. He did -- he ate three. I was hopeful because he's constantly eating frozen dinners for lunch. Not only are they filled with sodium ... those babies are expensive.

My bean burgers, on the other hand, cost me less than five dollars. We've got enough left over that we'll both be eating them for lunch for the next few days. Cha-ching!

As food prices go up and food budgets go down, people are starting to depend more and more on processed foods that seem to always be on sale. "It's hard to eat healthy on a budget," you'll hear people complain. And while that isn't necessarily true, what is true is that it's easy to choose unhealthy foods when money is tight.

Mac and cheese? Ninety cents. Hamburger Helper? Ten for $10, get the 11th for free. On the other hand, a box of whole wheat couscous, a package of chicken breast, and the fresh veggies to go with it could set you back $10-$15.

People are actually gaining weight during this recession, and high food prices are just one of the problems. Penny pinching means cutting out extras like gym memberships. Second jobs mean less time to exercise. And anxiety over the future have us all reaching for the mildly sedating effects of simple carbs.

While it's true we've all got to cut back a little right now, there's still plenty you can do to eat right without breaking your bank. Here are a few ideas:

• Go on a "pantry raid," or shop your pantry. If you're like me, you've got lots of good stuff sitting in your cupboards, you just need a little creativity to put it all together. Before you make your next shopping list, plan the week's meals around what you already have.
• Choose inexpensive foods that are not only healthy, but also keep you full. A few suggestions: Apples, beans, oatmeal, and eggs.
• Frequent the frozen section. This time of year, it's hard to find fresh produce in season (read: on sale). Frozen fruits and veggies are just as nutritious as fresh, so check out your freezer aisle instead, and stock up when you find a good sale.
• Switch to drinking only water and drop the junk food. If you're going to be cutting your food budget, start with the least nutritious foods first.
• Get to know your kitchen. If you're on a budget, packaged snacks and pre-cut veggies shouldn't be in it. Spend a little time in your kitchen doing your own food prep and you'll save a bundle.

No one knows when the recession will end, but taking off extra weight is hard work whether you've got money or you don't. What tips or simple recipes do you have to share for eating healthy meals on a shoestring budget?