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Healthy food is so much more expensive than junk - I can't afford this!
Ah, a common misconception! *coughEXCUSEcough* Here are some tips, compiled from the WW message boards:
- First of all, there is no reason you can't do Weight Watchers by carefully watching your portions of "normal" foods you would be buying anyway. Weigh and measure carefully! You'll still save even if you don't change your diet because eating a more reasonable portion makes a little bit go a long way.
- You don't have to cook two dinners every day or shop as if you were buying groceries for two different families. It is highly likely that junk food is not healthy for your significant other or children, as well as yourself.
- Always at least try the store brand versus national brand. Sometimes you can tell the difference, but most of the time you can't. Also, different grocery chains carry a different selection of generics. If the first one you try isn't good, take it back to the store and try something else. (Yes, you can get your money back if you don't like the product and bring your receipt.)
- The less processed a food is, the more likely it is to be inexpensive. Slow-cook oatmeal, rice, and dry beans are good examples. Some fresh fruits and vegetables may be more expensive, however.
- Drink only water. Crystal Light, sodas, and coffee all cost more than plain water (even if you have to buy the refillable gallon jugs or a Brita pitcher!).
- Most grocery stores list the per-ounce or per-item cost of groceries in addition to the total cost. Bulk sizes are frequently cheaper in the long run. Excess can be divided into smaller containers and saved for another day (especially if you have a deep freeze).
- Share a discount club membership with another Weight Watcher. Also check out restaurant supply stores and outlets. Some stores will price-match if you bring another store's sale ad to their customer service desk.
- Make it a rule to minimize meat consumption and only purchase on sale. Packages can be wrapped in foil and frozen for later use.
- If you must have soda, Snapple, or whatever, only buy it on sale and only in bulk packaging. It is not cost-effective to throw 75 cents in the machine every day when a case of soda can be had for $5 or less!
- Clip coupons and remember to use them. Some grocery stores double or even triple coupons.
- Plan your meals ahead of time. Check your pantry to make sure you don't already have what you need before you leave. Make a shopping list based on what you need to cook for the week and stick to it! Impulse buys are the #1 budget-killer, not eating more healthfully.
- Make double batches of recipes like soup and casseroles. These items freeze well and can be portioned out for easy, no-added-sodium frozen lunches.
- Carry your lunch. You will have complete control over what you eat and save money spent eating out every day.
- Buy frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. Be mindful of any added sodium or sugar.
- Individually-packaged or "diet" foods are frequently more expensive. Buy large packages and portion out the items yourself.
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. The local Farmer's Market, CSA, or produce stand is often a cheaper and tastier alternative to the grocery store. Plus, you are supporting local agricultural initiatives!
- Convenience foods are generally more expensive than raw, whole foods.
- Use dried beans as opposed to canned. They are dirt cheap and lower in sodium.
- Make eating out a really special occasion. Even the Value Menu is more expensive than a comparable meal cooked at home.
- Don't worry about buying the leanest cuts. You can trim them yourself and even reduce the fat level in ground meats by draining and rinsing after browning.
- Don't be afraid to try new recipes. Fifteen-Bean Soup, Taco Soup, Crockpot Salsa Chicken, etc., etc., are dirt-cheap to make.
- Be flexible about what you buy each week. If strawberries are on sale, skip the high-priced blueberries that week.
ARTICLES OF NOTE
- Changing from the Inside Out
- Have a Holiday Game Plan: Losing Weight
- Have a Holiday Game Plan: Maintaining Weight
Have a great week, everyone!
Cyndi
Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.
--Louis Pasteur
Grilled Apricot Melba
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch cinnamon
4 apricots, halved and pitted
1 1/3 cups vanilla low-fat frozen yogurt
1. 1 Spray the grill rack with nonstick spray. Preheat the grill to medium or prepare a medium fire.
2. 2 Meanwhile, combine the water and 2 tablespoons of the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 2 minutes. Add the cherries and simmer until softened, 5–6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the cherries to a small bowl; set aside. Continue to cook the juices until syrupy, about 2 minutes longer. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cherries and lemon juice; set aside.
3. 3 Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon on a plate. Dip the cut sides of the apricots in the cinnamon sugar. Place the apricots on the grill rack and grill until softened, 2–3 minutes on each side. 4 Place 2 apricot halves in each of 4 dessert dishes and sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon sugar. Add a 1/3-cup scoop of frozen yogurt to each dish and evenly spoon the cherry sauce on top.
Recipe from Weight Watchers Cookbook Sizzle It © 2008
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