FitSugar

Smarter Eats: Use Chalkboard Labels on Jars

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:28 -0800

Take a peek into my kitchen cabinet for a healthy eating tip. If you can't tell from the picture those are jars with chalkboard labels. I've been using them for almost a year now and for two good reasons: health and money.

I love nuts but find that it can be easy to eat too many at one sitting. I use the chalkboard labels to remind myself of the nutritional breakdown of the stored nut and its serving size. For instance, on my almond jar I've written 20 almonds equal 180 calories, 14g fat, 7g protein, and 6g carbs. This method has been a really great way to keep me from overindulging.

Having these jars is also an incentive to buy from the bulk aisle. Most food, especially organic, is cheaper when purchased in bulk. Plus buying in bulk cuts down on wasteful packaging, and I don't confuse things that look alike. The labels create an easy way to remember cooking ratios - if I'm storing a whole grain or beans, I write the name of the grain and the ratio of the grain to how much liquid it needs to cook.

You can either buy chalkboard jars for cheap or make your own using chalkboard paint. As an alternative you can use paper or sticky labels but using the chalkboard method helps cuts down on waste.

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.

All You Can Eat - Recession Buster or Fat Maker?

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:00:15 -0700

Taybarns restaurant is introducing a new dining concept to the English - all you can eat. It's nothing we haven't seen in the United States. We have all-you-can-eat baked potato and pizza bars, endless breadsticks and salad, and the kind of buffets that would make Elvis weep if he was still kickin' it in Vegas.

The Taybarns message is clear: "Enjoy as much as you like, as many times as you like. All for one fixed price!" That fixed price gives you a 111-foot counter filled with pizza, Chinese food, carving stations, fry stations, desserts, and more. The English are going crazy for the buffet-style chain, and while neighboring restaurants continue to close, Taybarns is on the up.

During tough economic times, giving people the most bang for their buck seems like a smart business model, but at what cost? As reported by the BBC, not everyone likes Taybarns. They think the chain encourages unhealthy eating habits and will cause England's collective waistline to expand.

It's a common argument, and one that's been batting around in the US for some time. Is it the fault of (insert any fast food giant here), or does the responsibility fall on the individual? Does walking into Taybarns rob a human of their free will, and why isn't healthy food more accessible to the masses?

Recession Proof Your Workout: Beg, Borrow, and Deal

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:00:50 -0700

Despite Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's claim that the recession is over, most Americans aren't buying it. I'm not sure what you think of Bernanke's outlook, but the last two years of economic downturn have taught me a lesson in frugality I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

My husband bought a new bike recently - new to him anyway. After visiting nine different bike stores and confronting the truth that he could not afford to put thousands of dollars toward a bicycle, I directed him to Craigslist. Not only did he find the bike of his dreams, he ended up having a few to choose from. Within a week of looking he found a barely used 2008 Cannondale for $650, a bike he saw at a store a week earlier for $1,250.

I've used Craigslist quite a bit but never for pricier items because it seemed to risky to me. After this experience I'll be turning there when I'm on the market for something new. A quick look on the site yesterday showed hundreds of barely used elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills averaging around $200; that's at least an 80 percent discount off retail prices and has me seriously considering buying a piece of equipment for my home.

Have any of you had good experiences using Craigslist to find fitness equipment?

Another Reason to Exercise: Keep Down Healthcare Costs

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:00:26 -0700

In these lean times, with layoffs that can often translate to losing health insurance, staying physically active can help you lower your health budget. According to the World Health Organization, physically active people save about $500 annually in healthcare expenses.These days every penny counts, so get out there and go for a walk or run. Or try a little gardening, it can be surprisingly physical. Staying physically active is also a cheap way to reduce stress.

Ways to Recession-Proof Your Fitness

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I was not pleased when my gym membership fee increased. As if it's not already expensive enough! If you can't afford monthly gym costs, here are some tips for working out on a budget.

Stairs are free. Take them when you can.
Thera-bands cost under $10 and they're a great option for resistance training.
Rent exercise DVDs from Netflix, or buy them. Have a few on hand for cardio, strength training, and stretching so you can get a well-rounded workout for not much dough.
Get an exercise ball for around $20. If you're not sure how to use it, check out these exercises that will strengthen and stretch all the muscles in your body.

Interested in learning more ways to exercise inexpensively? Then read more.

Get an all-in-one exercise system. I like GoFit Ultimate ProGym because it offers a wide range of training options.
A jump rope is under $6 and allows you to get your heart rate up anywhere. You can even pack it in your suitcase when traveling.
Buy a pair of last year's model of sneakers on sale, and walk or run in your neighborhood.
Start a community walking group, or a mommy stroller group. Not only is it free, but it's a great way to get you motivated to exercise regularly.
Most parks are free, so try doing pull-ups on the monkey bars, or dips using a picnic table. Or visit a nature park with trails. Trekking up the hills is a great cardio workout, and also tones your butt and thighs.
You can check out the strength training and cardio workout we created here on FitSugar. Here are a bunch of printable workouts to try at your convenience.

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Recession Stress Takes Its Toll on Your Teeth

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

The jaw is no stranger to stress, and reports of clenched jaws and teeth grinding are up.

Our country's economic woes are taking a toll on our teeth and more and more folks are clenching their jaws. Known scientifically as bruxism, clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth in your sleep can lead to serious dental damage: cracked teeth due to premature wearing of your chompers. No wonder the dental industry is growing during the recession. If you suffer from bruxism, you can recession-proof your smile with a mouth guard, and it is best to get one that is fabricated by your dentist to fit your mouth. While the $200 to $400 cost of a mouth guard may seem pricey, they are considerably cheaper than dental crowns used to cover cracked teeth.

Aside from the economic stress, which we can't really control, other factors that contribute to nocturnally clenching your jaw are in your power to change. Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and poor sleep habits can all contribute to the problem. So cut back on your vices, and work on creating better sleep habits.

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Has the Recession Caused You to Gain Weight?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

This just in: America is expanding - not by miles, but by pounds. New data from Gallup-Healthways shows that in the past year, the number of Americans considered obese has jumped by 1.7 percent. That's almost 5.5 million more people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 30.

People are gaining weight because their eating and exercise habits are changing. They're no longer able to afford healthy foods, and since fast food is much less expensive, more and more people are turning toward Big Macs and Happy Meals instead of pricier lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Not only that, but the stress of losing a job or worrying about keeping yours can cause people to indulge in junk food. Pinching pennies also means luxuries such as gym memberships and personal trainers may no longer be in the budget. Since many people have been laid off, the ones who still have jobs are asked to pick up the slack and do extra work, so there's not much energy or time to exercise, even for those who can afford it. So tell me, has saving money affected your waistline?

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Fittingly Mad: Increased Membership Prices at the Gym

FitSugar — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I don't have to tell you that economically speaking, times are tough. Many stores and companies are actually cutting prices to help lure customers to their businesses, but not my gym. Oh no. They've actually raised membership prices by $10 a month! That's no small amount, especially because my hubby belongs too, so that adds an extra $240 a year. It really bothers me that they can take advantage of people who feel so strongly about their health, since they know most gym goers won't end their memberships - they'll just suck it up and pay. Since my gym does offer unique fitness opportunities I can't get at other less expensive gyms, such as state-of-the-art cardio equipment, group classes, and of course, the pool, I guess I'll have to be one of those people who agrees to shell out the big bucks. It doesn't mean I won't complain about it though. What about you? Have your gym membership prices increased recently too?

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Recession Number Crunch

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Flipping through Time magazine, I came across some interesting figures. The magazine conducted polls on how the recession is affecting our spending habits, and the statistics that interested me were all health- and fitness-related - go figure. Here are a few numbers to chew on:

Percentage of people who have not filled a medical prescription due to the cost: 20
Percentage of folks spending less on health clubs: 27
Amount of respondents spending more time exercising: 29 percent
Percentage of people who have postponed or canceled a medical or dental procedure: 24

I am wondering about you all and how the recession is affecting you, your health, and your health spending habits. Have you quit your gym or not filled a prescription? Are you exercising more as well as skipping your dental visits? Tell me in the comments section below.

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