FitSugar

Get the Most Nutrition For Your Dollar

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:15:08 -0700

It can be hard to find healthy foods that don't break the bank - as I've mentioned before, nutrition often comes with a high price tag. A new tool may be what consumers need to find the biggest health bang for their buck.

The Affordable Nutrition Index (ANI) is a rating system that evaluates food based on its health and price value, and over 300 foods were evaluated and given a nutrition-value-per-dollar score. Basically the ANI is a list that lets consumers know what items are the most nutritious while also having the smallest price tag.

The food scores were based on the levels of nine essential nutrients - protein, fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E - and what to avoid - saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium.

To see which foods ranked high on the ANI, read more.

Though the complete list has not been released, highlights of it were introduced at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo:

Carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli are at the top of the ANI scale. Other veggies that rank high are peas, string beans, squash, and lettuce.
Oranges and bananas are the top fruits, while raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, grapes, nectarines, and apples also rank high.
Vegetable soups especially of the low-sodium variety are also seen as being good values.

Recession Proof Your Diet: Avoid Comforting Yourself With Food

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

During the tough times of the economy, many of us feel down about the way the nation is headed. And for some of us, being upset translates into eating for comfort. Unfortunately, the food we turn to (chips, cookies, ice cream, etc.) tends to not be very healthy and could wind up costing us more (financially and on the scale) in the long run.

So try to keep your eye on the ball. Things may seem bad, but you're going to feel a lot worse if you've suddenly gained 10 pounds. Turn your negative energy into figuring out ways for staying healthy for without spending too much money and working out on a budget. I know that carrot and celery sticks may not be as comforting as a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, but they're a lot cheaper. Plus, I've personally been taking advantage of Whole Foods' Meals For 4 Under $15 so I always have healthy meals offhand. Then I allow myself treats on occasion, but just not as I am watching the six o'clock news about how the stock market tanked, yet again.

When the Economy Is Down, Keep Your Health Up

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

With the way things have been going in the economy, more and more folks are starting to let the stress of the news get to their health and mental health facilities are getting more calls than ever.

Don't let it be you. Instead of getting consumed with the media reports, make sure to create a balance between watching the economy and watching your health. When the news gets rough, take a walk or hike, go for a jog, ride your bike, or play with your kids outside. Find free or inexpensive activities to do that will not only help clear your mind, but will also keep you moving forward on your health goals. Above all, relax. If you need some tips I've got a lot of ideas for relaxation.

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Recession Proof Your Workout: DIY Home Exercise Equipment

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

The economy is on almost everyone's minds these days, but it's important that despite the tough times, we keep ahead of our health. If you're trying to cut back on your costs, you can easily transform a few items at home into your exercise equipment. The Mayo Clinic had a few good ideas as to how. They are:

Canned goods. Many canned goods can serve double duty as hand weights.
Milk or water jugs. Fill empty milk or water jugs with water or sand and secure the tops with duct tape. To adjust the weights as your fitness level changes, simply add more water or sand. If you wonder how much weight you're lifting, simply weigh the jug on your household scale.
Step stools. A low, sturdy step stool can become exercise equipment if you use it for step training - an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.

I've got a few ideas of my own to add to the list so read more.

Water bottles. Just like canned goods, water bottles make a great supplement for hand weights (and they won't damage your floor if you drop them). Need to beef it up? Detergent bottles do the trick too.
Chairs. Use a sturdy chair to do tricep dips and inclined push-ups. Have someone spot you to make sure the chair does not flip over.
Walls. Use your walls for push-ups (hands against the wall), stretching, and wall sits.
Stairs. Even if you only have a few stairs in your house, you can use them to climb - up and down.

If this sounds like something you could do, then be sure to check out this 10-minute workout that anyone can do at home.

Source

5 Ways to Stay Healthy on a Budget

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

The economy's turn for the worse does not need to reflect on your health. In fact, there are many easy things you can do for your health that can help your budget, too. ABC News has done a little legwork and come up with five ways to keep your health and your budget in check. Check out the highlights in the slideshow.

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$15 Meal Ideas From Whole Foods, Seriously!

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Whole Foods can be your friend and foe. Its selection of organic and natural foods is hard to beat, but its prices are often high. That is why I was excited when I stumbled across a cool feature on the site: Meals For 4 Under $15.

Under the category, there is a long list of great recipes that should cost you $15 to make in total. Not all recipes are the healthiest, though some are, but at least you know all the ingredients are fresh and organic - and not to mention economical. I'm eying this recipe for Curried Chicken Kabobs With Coconut Rice. Yum!

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Recession-Proof Your Workout: Active.com Budget Page

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Staying active doesn't need to cost a fortune. While you might be used to flying across the country for fun races, traveling might not be in your fitness budget this year. Active.com, my favorite Internet resource for finding athletic events, now has a web page dedicated to working out and racing on a shoestring budget.

From lists of camping-friendly races to at-home workouts, Active on a Budget has plenty of information to help you recession-proof your workout. They even provide tips on how to fuel yourself without breaking the bank. Have any tips of your own on recession-proofing your fitness life? Share them in the comments section below.

What's Your Advice for Working Out on a Budget?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Everyone gave amazing advice for motivating a fellow Sugar user last time -- Thank you! So, here's another question that someone sent me that could use everyone's advice too:

Hey Fit! I am thinking about trying to tone-up my body, problem is that I am pretty tight on money these days (just graduated college, but unemployed) and I can't afford to join a gym. Can you recommend cheap ideas for working out on a budget until I can scrape up the cash for a gym membership?
-Budgeting in Baltimore

Got advice to give? Leave it in the comments section below.
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Stop Hating the Gym and Start Loving It

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:43 -0800

If you are dreading moving your workouts indoors due to falling temperatures, let me help you learn to love, or at least tolerate, the gym. Here are some common reasons people hate hitting the gym, and solutions to help you overcome the hurdles.

I hate the gym because . . .	The solution
It's too expensive.	Go price hunting. There are so many different types of gyms that offer various services, so find one that fits your budget. Instead of paying $90 a month for a gym that has cardio machines, a weight room, classes, a pool, and a yoga studio, figure out what's most important to you and just pay for that. A gym down the street from me is only $10 a month for cardio and weight machines. Not bad at all.
It's too far away from my home.	If you can't find a gym close to where you live, try to find one close to where you work. That way you can head over on your lunch break or after work.
The cardio machines are boring.	Find a way to make them more enjoyable. I like to download audio books or podcasts onto my iPod. Listening really helps pass the time. Switching to different machines in one workout also helps beat boredom. Or try competing with a stranger.

To learn more ways to start loving the gym, keep reading.

Marijuana Update: Addiction Rates and Health Risks

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:00:33 -0700

Aside from proposals to tax marijuana to ease budget gaps, the substance hasn't been much in the news since Michael Phelps was photographed smoking a spliff last year. A new Austrailian review of marijuana studies puts cannabis back in the spotlight. According to researchers down under, four percent of the adult population of the world got high in the year 2006 with marijuana use highest in the younger populations of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Researchers also found that pot has a nine percent addiction rate, which is low when compared with the legal substance of nicotine, which has a 32 percent rate of addiction. Heroin's addiction rate is 23 percent, but the study found that about 10 percent of pot smokers become daily users. Unsurprisingly, upper respiratory problems like wheezing, bronchitis, and chronic coughing are associated with regular use of marijuana. A large Swedish study found that using pot before age 18 doubled a user's risk for a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and a separate study found that use of cannabis in high school is associated with dropping out of school. And yet another study found that men that smoked pot daily were four times more likely to have trouble reaching orgasm. Seems like reasons add up not to inhale.