FitSugar

Getting Fit Could Cost Less in 2009

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Most of us are sweating over money these days, and gyms are absorbing this worried perspiration by offering additional deals to existing members and new ones. Because the economy has hit the gyms with decreased memberships, they want to do their best to bring in and retain as many people as they can. According to the Los Angeles Times, independent gyms and national chains are playing the discount game, so be sure to speak with a manager about what can be done to reduce your fees. Here are some examples of deals the Times discovered.

Curves: One month free, then 50 percent off the monthly membership fee through March 6.
Gold's Gym: No enrollment fee.
Sports Club LA: Former members were invited to return without the one-time initiation fee and no membership dues for two month.

Before you sign any contract, ask if you can sign up month-to-month and get the details about cancellation policies. Also, it never hurts to ask your gym to waive the enrollment fee.

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No Money, No Problem

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

The economy is going through some serious hard times and it's hard enough keeping up with the bills, let alone finding the cash to buy organic and pay for a posh gym membership. Being healthy does not mean that you need to pay out the big bucks; there are plenty of ways you can get moving and eat right without thinning out your wallet. I've rounded up five of my favorite ways to save the dough and still be healthy, so check out this slideshow to get a few ideas for yourself.

View Slideshow ›

Cut Costs, Not Nutrition: Part Two

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I recently told you about a few tips on how to cut costs at the grocery store while keeping your meals nutritious. And University of Michigan Health System nutritionist Holly Scherer has come up with a few more ways to keep eating healthy and cost effective. They are:

Look for the generic or store brand.
Stock up on nonperishables when they go on sale.
Avoid the temptation of the cookie aisle and the chip aisle. Spend more time in the perimeter of the store, where the fresh products are, and really focus on the fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and the low-fat dairy.
Use coupons, but only for things that you normally would buy, not a lot of high-fat, high-sugar foods.
Cook at home instead of going out to eat.
When you do eat out and you know that a restaurant serves large portions, have them bag half the meal right when they serve it and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.

What are some of your own tips for eating healthy on a budget?

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Cut Costs, Not Nutrition: Part One

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

In this time of economic hardships, it's getting harder and harder to put healthy foods on the table every day. It's tempting to just hit the dollar menu at your local fast food stop, but there are simple ways that you can cut costs and still eat healthy. Reuters has consulted with Holly Scherer, a registered dietician at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, for a few ways to cut costs but not nutrition. Here are highlights:

Eating in season is one key way to cut your food bill.
Local co-operatives where you trade money or labor in order to reap the benefits of a larger community garden or local farm are another option for fresh fruits and vegetables.
You can save money by planting your own produce and herbs.
When fresh options are too expensive or unavailable, consider frozen and canned fruits and vegetables.

What about the most expensive part of your grocery bill? Protein. There are ways to cut costs there too so read more.

Try simply eating less meat with your meals.
Though the price of eggs has increased, they are still a cheaper source of protein than meat. Beans are another option for adding protein to meals at a low cost.
Less expensive cuts are often less tender, which makes them good choices for meals like stews and casseroles.
Watch for sales so you can purchase preferred cuts at a discount and freeze them for later use.
Buying chicken breasts with the bone and skin on and filleting and skinning them yourself will also save money because the price per pound is lower.

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Bargain Hunting Adds Calories

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:00:17 -0700

I am guilty of bargain hunting. If you're anything like me then it is really hard to turn down a good bargain, even if it means that I will have an extra 400 calories sitting in front of me...

One thing I have taught myself is to let go of the bargain hunting when it comes to food. Sure, 25 cents will give you a gallon more Dr. Pepper at the movies, but is it really wise for your health? Probably not. Those super size fries at McDonald's are both a lot of extra food and a lot of extra calories. Buying in bulk is not necessarily beneficial, health wise. Think about it, if you don't have a gallon of mayonnaise that will go bad if you don't use it, you'll be less likely to put it on everything you have. Buy one, get one free is good for healthier things but typically the only things that are buy one, get one free (at my grocery store at least) are Doritos, hot dogs and packs of bacon.

I know it's hard to believe but if you purchase your food wisely you'll waste less too. Now, I leave my bargain hunting for paper goods, clothes and anything else other than my food purchases. Ultimately I save in dollars and calories, but I will admit that it's pretty darn hard to pass up a good bargain.

How to Eat Healthy on a Tight Budget

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

With the economy the way it is, many people are tightening their budgets and trying to spend less. Although food is something we need to buy every day, eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank. While it's true that junk food can be less expensive than fruits, veggies, and other nutritious foods, it doesn't mean you should skip the produce aisle and go straight for the Nilla Wafers. Here are some tips when it comes to saving money while grocery shopping.

To get your protein, buy dried beans. While canned beans aren't that expensive, they're still pricier than bags of dried beans. All it takes is an extra hour or so to soak and cook the beans before they can be used. Aside from being less expensive than meat, beans are also a great source of fiber.
Buy the larger container of yogurt or cottage cheese. It's cheaper than buying the individual serving size containers. If you want, you can separate them once you get home, and store them in plastic containers in the fridge so they're ready to eat.
Buy rice, oatmeal, and other grains in bulk. Whole grains are full of fiber, so you won't have to eat much to feel satisfied and stay full. Buying in bulk is cheaper than buying individual packages.
Look for produce that's on sale instead of grabbing the fruits and veggies you love. Usually seasonal items are less expensive, meaning you don't need to buy fresh raspberries in the middle of Winter. It'll save you some dough and offer you different vitamins and minerals.

For other tips read more.

Look for frozen veggies and fruits. They're often cheaper than fresh produce in the Winter.
Make your own nut butter. Buy almonds or peanuts in bulk and then use your food processor to grind them up.
Bring a calculator and add up what's in your cart as you go along. That way you won't be shocked when the cashier tells you what you owe.

If you have any other money-saving tips on how to eat healthy, share them in the comment section below.

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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.

Healthy Eating Tip: Join a CSA

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:10 -0700

With local and organic food having such a high price tag, it can be hard to eat in a sustainable way. One way I've gotten around the high costs is by joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). The idea of a CSA is pretty simple - consumers pay farmers directly for a portion of their crop. It's a huge benefit to my health, and my money goes directly to a small, family-owned farm.

To give you an idea of how a CSA works, I'll use mine as an example. I pay $23 each week for enough produce to feed two people. My last box contained four Braeburn apples, four oranges, two pounds of heirloom tomatoes, one bunch of broccoli, two pounds of red potatoes, one pound of zucchini, one pound of green beans, one bunch of basil, and one head of red lettuce. All of the produce was grown on an organic farm located 90 miles from my home in San Francisco. For an additional fee I can also request organic dairy products, grass-fed meat, and Fair Trade coffee.

For tips on choosing a CSA, read more.

Although the basic idea of a CSA is the same no matter which you choose, details vary among farms. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a CSA.

Decide how you want your produce box delivered. Many CSAs offer home delivery, while other CSAs leave boxes at convenient pick-up points in your town or city.
Membership is either calculated by the season or on a month-to-month basis. You'll save even more money if you can pay for the entire season at once.
Most CSAs choose what produce they deliver each week. Don't be alarmed -recipes are usually included and you can expect the best the season has to offer, as well as staple items. There are some CSAs that will let you pick and choose specifically what you'd like in your box that week based on their crop.
CSAs are beginning to offer much more than produce. If you are interested in meat, dairy, baked goods, and other eatables, shop around.

Visit the Local Harvest website to find a CSA near you.

Source: Flickr User 427

How Many Meals Do You Eat Out in One Week?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:47:49 -0700

I love a home cooked meal, but sometimes I just cannot muster the energy to tackle making a meal - especially on Monday night when there are no leftovers. Cooking your own food not only saves you calories, but it saves you money as well. An easy win/win. A recent survey on the eating habits of working parents found many were eating take-out meals midday and for dinner. I am curious about you . . . how many meals do you eat out during the week including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am not talking fancy meals at restaurants with linens and candles, but any food that wasn't prepared at home.

Produce Cleaners?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0700

At the grocery store, I noticed a bottle of fruit and veggie wash. If you've seen it too, I bet you've wondered if it's necessary to use in order to clean produce effectively?

While it's very important to wash your produce since you don't know how many hands have touched your tomatoes or manhandled your melons, there's no need for a special cleaner. Soaps or washes can leave a residue, and they aren't any better than plain water, so save your money.

Even if your produce is organic, it still needs to be washed since bacteria such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli can lurk on all fruits and veggies. Wait to wash your fruits and veggies until right before you're about to eat or prepare them. Wash all produce, even the ones that are pre-packaged and say "pre-washed." Wash all parts including rinds and peels you won't eat and stems you throw away since bacteria can be transferred from those parts to the parts you eat. Wash all fruits and veggies under running water and gentle scrub each one with your fingers for 60 seconds. It may take extra time, but it's better than getting sick.