Make a healthy family dinner for under $4 person

When it comes to feeding your family, finding a quick, easy and healthy meal that won’t break the bank can be tough.

Certified nutritionist and personal trainer, Christi Christiaens has a meal for you that costs just $4 per person: Grass fed beef, sweet potatoes and a side salad.

Grass fed beef strongly reduces and sometimes eliminates the growth of harmful bacteria, like E-coli, Christiaens says. It is also three times richer in omega 3 fatty acids, making it healthy for the heart.

Christiaens says one of nature’s highest sources of beta-carotene is sweet potatoes. Numerous studies have also shown that sweet potatoes have the ability to raise blood levels of Vitamin A, which is an important vitamin for children.

Both the grass fed beef and sweet potatoes can be found at low prices, along with the lettuce. Here is the breakdown:

1 lb ground grass fed beef = $9.00
2 lbs organic sweet potato = $4.00
1 organic lettuce head = $1.50
Small amount of butter + oil = $1.50

Which bring the total to $16, divide that by four and it will only cost $4 per person.

Also note that you can buy grass fed beef for a lot less than $9 a pound if you buy it from a local farm often at the Farmer's Market for $6 a pound or less. This bring the meal to just $3.25 a person.

Here are Christiaens quick and healthy recipes:

Grass fed beef
Ingredients for 4 servings
1 lb ground grass-fed beef
Sea salt (to taste)

Make 4 patties of 4 oz each, add sea salt and bake in coconut oil (coconut oil is very stable at high temperature).

Sweet potatoes
Ingredients for 4 servings
2 lb sweet potatoes
Sea salt to taste
1 tsp butter per serving

Fill the bottom of a steamer pot with 2 inches of water, add sea salt.
Wash and slice potatoes into ½" slices.
Steam for about 6 minutes
Add 1 tsp of butter per serving and serve with beef patty

Green side salad
Ingredients for 4 servings
1 head of chopped romaine lettuce (remove outer leaves)

Healthy dressing
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Place chopped lettuce in large bowl and mix with dressing.