For the price of half a gallon of gas, you can whip up a summer squash omelet, a quiche-filled pepper pot or a serving of eggs Benedict strata. Dietitians say the key is being a smart shopper and getting creative with substitutes.
 

Proteins are usually the most expensive part of the grocery basket, so swapping out ways to get lower cost protein sources is key. The highest quality proteins are still the cheapest: milk and eggs. Two eggs is the equivalent of two ounces of meat. Include a glass of milk at the end of the meal, and you're done. Eggs are also a great way to use up leftovers, he said. Got scraps of meat, veggies or potatoes from last night? Throw them into an omelet, and dinner is (affordably) served. Beans make another budget-friendly protein. Listed under the food pyramid as both a vegetable and with meats (thanks to the high protein), beans do double nutritional duty. Even better, they are beyond cheap, making them an easy staple to mix in soups or pasta dishes.