10 Tips To Eat Healthier And Save More Money

Healthy eating is an active choice to improve one’s lifestyle. It is not about total dietary restriction and remaining thin. Rather, it is about having more energy and feeling better about YOU!

If you find it difficult at first, fear not because you are not alone. Taking this healthier road one step at a time will surely go a long way. Once you embraced healthier eating, you cannot only be fitter but also richer. As you cut back the unnecessary, you can save more money for important things such as your child’s allowance. On that note, here are 10 Tips To Eat Healthier And Save More Money…

CONSUME LESS SUGAR AND STARCH

1. Reduce sugar in fruit juices by diluting it with water. Even if it does not contain added sugar such as the pure fruit juices, it is still good to practice this.

2. A bottle of Strawberry Jam at FairPrice retails for about S$3-9.80. You can save that and reduce guar consumption by using minimum amounts of jam or any spread. Apply it thinly and evenly.

GO FOR REDUCED FATS

3. Did you know that Marigold’s Non Fat Yoghurt is available for S$1.85 while Meiji’s Low Fat Yoghurt is only S$1/pc at FairPrice. Also, milk containing less fat are either the same price or even cheaper than the other types. The point is, you can choose reduced-fat varieties of milk and yoghurt without sacrificing the price.

4. If you are preparing meat, remove the visible fat and the skin off the chicken before you cook.

CONSUME LESS SODIUM

5. You can either reduce or not use salt at all when you are cooking. But, if you want to add more flavors, use iodized salt instead.

6. Want to save more on salt? Gradually reduce the salt you add in your cooking and buy food with lower sodium levels.

INCREASE FIBER INTAKE

7. Eat about 3-4 servings of fruits daily. Banana, orange, and guava are just some of the fruits rich in fiber.

8. It is a known fact that leafy greens are more affordable than lean meat. To eat healthier, eat smaller servings of meat with larger servings of vegetables.

OTHERS

9. Cook more homemade meals instead of buying take-away. For example, cook fish by steaming, grilling, or pan-frying it. Shy away from deep fried food.

10. Lastly, it is no surprise that beer or any alcoholic drinks should be cut down. The recommended consumption should be no more than 3 drinks for men and no more than 2 drinks for women. Reducing your alcohol consumption will not only control your weight but it will also save you more money and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Image Credits: nutrition education via Flickr

Image Credits: nutrition education via Flickr

Source: HeartFoundation.org.nz

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7 Low-Cost (or Free) Ways to Lose Weight

One of the top 10 new year’s resolutions of a million people is to lose significant weight. This may be an ongoing resolution that has yet to happen, therefore the decision to lose weight is becoming more emotional.

Along with the article called 5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much“…here are 7 Cheap Ways to Lose Weight…

1. STREAM FREE EXERCISE VIDEOS

Watch free exercise videos on youtube and across the Internet. Personally, I recommend Cassey Ho’s Blogilates as she incorporates Pilates, Yoga, and Cardio workouts. Aside from free exercise videos, the Internet is abundant with free or cheap Fitness Plans and Health Information. So, your only job is to make sure that the website is credible.

2. GO MEATLESS ONCE A WEEK

Nutritionist Rania Batayneh says that a sure way to burn off pounds and to save money is by going meatless once a week. You may substitute meat with tofu, beans, and mushrooms.

3. GROW AND COOK FOOD BY YOURSELF.

Growing your own food is organic at its finest. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed.

Image Credits: woodleywonderworks via Flickr

Image Credits: woodleywonderworks via Flickr

By dinner time, you can browse online (e.g. Kraft Recipes or Eating Well Recipes) for healthy recipes and cook your own food.

4. GAGA OVER GREENS

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene.

Image Credits: Wonderlane via Flickr

Image Credits: Wonderlane via Flickr

5. BUY CHEAP GROUP WORKOUT DEALS

Take advantage of a low-cost workout class if you are undecided and you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars for a gym membership. Groupon.sg is rich with Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and Boxing Classes that range from $28 and below.

For example, here is a “Four 60 mins. Boot Camp” pass at $19 only! It will not only push your limits but it will also aid you in losing weight. Usually, newly opened gyms or studios give 1-week free trial so you better watch out.

6. RUN, JOG OR CYCLE OUTDOORS

The healthiest way to lose weight is neither crash diets nor starving yourself. But, the healthiest way is the gradual increase of exercise. As you increase the exercise intensity and duration, you will change your own body mechanism in time.

Try walking or biking to work if you live within a few miles. If that is not an option, then skip the elevator and take the stairs instead. Not only will you save on gas, but you’ll burn calories as you go.

Image Credits: Fit Approach via Flickr

Image Credits: Fit Approach via Flickr

7. EXERCISE AT HOME

Stay fit in the comforts of your own home. You may choose to buy bargain workout DVDs or use the resources you already have.

For example,

Use paint cans or bottle with rocks to work on your biceps.
Find a stable bar at home for chin ups.
Or, do sit-ups and push-ups without any equipment.

Image Credits: Jordan Misner via Flickr

Image Credits: Jordan Misner via Flickr

You are now looking to the future with hope and expectations. What better investment could you make than with your own health?

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5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much

It is no secret that buying organic and healthy foods is more costly than buying junk. But, if you are willing to shop smartly, then you can enjoy the goodness and freshness of organic foods without breaking your food budget. Here are 5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much…

1. Purchase Within Your Family’s Needs

Buy stocks of food to fit your whole family. Usually, to save more money, you will want to buy in bulk, but, not if you are a family of three or two. Rethink your family’s needs and list it down.

2. Shop Around

In order for you to find the best price in town, you must shop around different stores. Besides supermarkets, you can search for healthy foods in specialty stores, Gourmet Delis, Wet and Dry Markets, and even Online. For instance, you may go to two different stores to save money and buy the best product: one for the vegetables and one for the sea foods.

Image Credits: epSos .de via Flickr

Image Credits: epSos .de via Flickr

3. Shop in Season

You will definitely save more money if you purchase the organic produce that is in season. Price always lowers when there is greater supply. Summer and fall are usually the best times to go creative with your food choices.

4. Grow Your Own Food

Growing your own food is organic at its finest. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed. Aside from being domestic, you can also save more money if you buy produce of the local supermarket’s brand (e.g. Mixed Vegetables by FairPrice).

5. Go Gaga over Greens

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene. If possible, buy the leafy greens that are not pre-packed because they are cheaper.

Image Credits: Amazing Almonds via Flickr

Image Credits: Amazing Almonds via Flickr

BONUS TIP! Stay on the outside aisles of the grocery store because the further you go inside, the less healthy it becomes. That is all for now. Have fun shopping!

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