Yes, it’s possible to do it on a budget. The problem with this is that the USDA guidelines are terrible:
The menus offered a variety of food, didn’t have processed foods, were affordable and didn’t require always require cooking to prepare. Each menu also had manageable portions of food without high fat or salt content.
There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with high fat or salt content, as long as the fat isn’t seed oils.
Try Fast one day a week. It empties the gut and kicks metabolism into high gear. Lose weight while you sleep.