Quick Diet Tricks - How Much is Weight Gain Costing You?

'Thin May be 'in' but Good Health is Life's True Wealth.' ~ Thin Thin

How much is weight gain costing you in regards to your budget and your level of health?

Health Issues & Risks Associated With Weight Gain

The list of health issues connected with weight gain is longer than Santa's list - with more health risks continually added as our knowledge relating to the health effects of weight gain is increased.

A few of the more common risks associated with weight gain include: heart damage, imbalance in blood pressure levels, diabetes, stroke, skeletal damage, respiratory damage, kidney damage, circulatory damage, an increase in gallbladder stones, unhealthy cholesterol levels, permanent skin damage due to stretch marks, emotional damage.

Recommended Servings Equal Weight Loss & a Cheaper Food Bill

A healthy diet plan can fit into any budget. In addition, when recommended servings are followed, less food is purchased at the market. The following example compares a healthy daily diet over an unhealthy daily diet.

The Cost of the Healthy Diet vs the Unhealthy Diet

Healthy Breakfast	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Unhealthy Breakfast	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Money Saved
1 Serving of Oatmeal	$0.25	1 Grain Group	1 Cheese Danish	$2.00	Iffy Grain Benefits	$2.86 (+ heartburn)
1 Small Banana	$0.35	1 Fruit Group	1 Large Soda	$1.59	Empty Calories
1 Cup of Skim Milk	$0.13	1 Dairy Group
Total Cost:	$0.73		Total Cost:	$3.59
Healthy Mid-Morning Snack Choice	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Healthy Mid-Morning Snack Choice	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Money Saved
1 apple	$0.50	1 Fruit Group	2 chocolate cupcakes	$1.19	Iffy Grain Benefits	$2.03 (+ heartburn)
1 cup hot air popcorn	$0.25	1 Grain Group	1 Large Soda	$1.59	Empty Calories
Total Cost:	$0.75		Total Cost:	$2.78
Healthy Lunch	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Unhealthy Lunch	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Money Saved
3 ounces Grilled Chicken	$1.99	1 Protein Group	1 Double Cheeseburger	$4.99 Fast Food Meal Deal	1 Grain, 2 Proteins, 1 Dairy, 2 Vegetables	$3.24 (+ a whole lot of calories and fat grams)
1/2 Cup Mashed Potatoes	$0.20	1 Vegetable Group	Large French Fry		1 Grain, 2 Proteins, 1 Dairy, 2 Vegetables
1 Cup Green Beans	$0.20	2 Vegetable Group	Large Chocolate Malt		1 Dairy Group
1 Slice Whole Grain Bread	$0.15	1 Grain Group	Fried Apple Pie	$0.99	Iffy Fruit/Grain
1 Pat Margarine	$0.05	1 Fat
1 Unsweetened Tea	$0.15	Empty Calories
Total Cost:	$2.74		Total Cost:	$5.98
Healthy Afternoon Snack Choice	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Healthy Afternoon Snack Choice	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Money Saved
1 orange	$0.58	1 Fruit Group	1 Large Candy Bar	$1.59	Empty Calories	$2.35 (+ heartburn & mega calories)
1 rice cake	$0.25	1 Grain Group	1 Large Soda	$1.59	Empty Calories
Total Cost:	$0.83		Total Cost:	$3.18
Healthy Dinner	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Unhealthy Dinner	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Money Saved
1 Serving of Pinto Beans	$0.25	1 Protein Group	Deep Dish Supreme Pizza	$3.59	Grain, Protein, Dairy	$6.00 (+ heartburn & mega calories)
1 Serving of Cornbread	$0.15	1 Grain Group	2 Light Beers	$2.59	Empty Calories
1 Pat Margarine	$0.05	1 Fat	Garlic Bread With Cheese	$1.99	Grain Group
1 Side Salad, Light Dressing	$1.59	2 Vegetable Group
1 Cup Skim Milk	$0.13	1 Dairy Group
Total Cost:	$2.17		Total Cost:	$8.17
Healthy Evening OR Bedtime Snack	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Healthy Evening OR Bedtime Snack	Approximate Cost	Food Group Servings	Money Saved
1 Cup Skim Milk	$0.13	1 Dairy Group	3 Servings Potato Chips	$0.99	Iffy Vegetable Group	$1.95 (+ heartburn)
1/2 Cup Strawberries	$0.50	1/2 Fruit Serving	1 Large Soda	$1.59	Empty Calories
Total Cost:	$0.63		Total Cost:	$2.58
Above costs based on food purchased at our local market & local fast food costs.					Total Savings	$18.43

Here is the nutritional breakdown on the above comparison of the Healthy Diet vs the unhealthy Diet:

The Healthy Diet contains 5 Grain Group servings, 3.5 Fruit Group servings, 3 Dairy Group servings, 6 Vegetable Group servings, 2 Protein Group servings, minimal fat and about 1,600 calories. The Healthy Diet is also much cheaper than the Unhealthy Diet.

The Unhealthy Diet is greatly lacking in Food Group recommendations and contains over 5,000 calories, including a significant amount of fat and saturated fat. It also costs significantly more than the Healthy Diet in this comparison. And yes, of course cheaper like-foods could be purchased; for example - the pizza. A store brand frozen pizza can often be found on sale for less than $2.00. But what about future costs surrounding weight gain?

A Healthy Diet Equals Less Health Costs

When future costs related to weight gain are factored into the budget, no doubt exists that weight gain is indeed an expensive situation. A healthy daily diet slashes health risks for the diseases referenced above.

Smart Healthier Food Choices - Tips to Kick Weight Gain

Particular cuts of fish and beef are certainly more expensive than franks or potted meats so unless it's bargain day, opting for healthy vegetable proteins offer a cheaper solution - actually significantly cheaper than franks and potted meats.

Other great protein choices that are inexpensive healthy food choices include: eggs, peanut butter, and tuna.

Purchasing multi-packages of healthy foods - such as oatmeal can help save money.

Keep an eye out for weekly specials at the local market and check the paper and online for coupons that will assist in stretching your Food Dollar.

Opting for raw veggies like cucumbers, carrots and celery for snack time over bakery goodies can save money, calories, fat grams and your good health.

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