Sometimes in our quest to cut costs, some important things go by the wayside… like our weight. It’s no secret that we tend to turn to fatty comfort foods and isolate ourselves when we’re under stress. Case in point? The only stock to rise when Dow Jones Industrial Average fell a record 778 points in September ’08 was Campbell Soup Company. And it’s no surprise that sales of Spam have increased significantly since the recession began. The rising costs of food, layoffs and foreclosure scares aren’t enough… now we have to worry about our weight too!?

What to Eat to Stay Healthy?

Don’t let this recession get you down and get your weight up. Try these tips for keeping fit during a down economy.

The $1 menu is NOT your friend:
- It’s easy to pull up at the drive-thru and feed the family for $5. Just think about it, eat cheap now, and pay expensive medical bills later. Fast food is loaded with saturated fats that can contribute to obesity, high  cholesterol and diabetes. While splurging here and there won’t harm you, making that $1 menu a big part of your diet can be detrimental to your health.

Inexpensive healthy meal options are out there
- Buy frozen, canned or fresh vegetables and add some protein to the vegetable dish, such as cooked whole grain pasta.
- Eggs are and low-priced item that people tend to forget about. It’s low in calories, high in protein and really low in carbohydrates.
- More and more, smaller portions are being offered at restaurants. Not only are these choices lower in price, but they’re good for you too.