"The Budget Diet"

I wanted to share an article that will go hand in hand with our FREE Community Seminar which will be held Saturday, November 24th (9am).
This article will also run in the Nashua Sunday Telegraph on Sunday the 25th following our seminar.

When I make a connection with a new client one of the first things I work on is cleaning up their diet. No one will have REAL RESULTS until they have a nutrition system in place. We give everyone shopping lists and recipes. The usual response: “eating like you is going to cost me too much.” So I thought I’d help you all out and give the answers to all the come-backs you can think of! Take time to save time (and money).

1)      Prepare.

 Don’t buy for convenience. The cost of convenience is going to break the bank.

2)      Pick out recipes.

                Search for recipes that fit the bill. Remember to think about the foods that are in season.

1)      Make a shopping list.

                List everything you need for your recipes. Sticking to the list helps avoid temptation shopping.

2)      Shop the best prices and buy in bulk.

Look at price per unit rather than just the price on the shelf. Find the most bang for your buck.  You can be sure that any time you buy a lot at once there will always be a discount. You may spend more at one time but you will go less often.

3)      Collect coupons.

 Look in flyers and online. Some online coupons are uploaded automatically to a stores rewards program and you don’t even have to print them.

4)      Join the rewards program.

This will save you cash or give you discounts on regular purchases. Some stores have an email list you can join for coupons to be sent to you.

5)      Shop discount grocery stores.

6)      Shop farmer’s markets and in-season fruit and vegetables.

Prices will be lower during appropriate times of year.

7)      Buy store brands.

Usually the store will carry their brand name items at a discount. Take advantage of this! Most times when checking the label both brands have the same nutrition facts and ingredients.

8)      Substitute beans for red meat as a source of protein.

                Beans will be cheaper, last longer and are healthier than red meats.

9)      Buy frozen fruits and vegetables.

10)   Don’t shop while you are hungry.

This could be disastrous.  Your blood sugar is low and you crave is sugar and carbohydrates.  The best way to avoid this is to do your grocery shopping after a workout or a meal.

11)   Stick to the perimeters.

There are only select items that you NEED from the aisles: spices, whole grains and tea.

12)   Over-cook.

Prepare and cook more than you need.  Preparation takes away the risk of choosing unhealthy foods, not eating and prep time.