People have numerous reasons for staying healthy. While some of them are aware of the numerous benefits of having a healthy lifestyle, others need to make some changes regarding their eating plan due to their medical conditions.

Regardless of the reason, when people adopt a healthy lifestyle to shed pounds or to gain a higher energy level, the thing that prompts people to change their diets is their desire to improve themselves.

Nevertheless, the question is just this: how much do we really need to spend in order to stay healthy and fit? In this article you will find efficient and cost-effective tips that will help you stay healthy throughout the years.

Eating The Right Foods

Eating the right foods is particularly important for those who want to shed pounds. Diet programs, for instance, can help you achieve the desired results faster. There are some diet programs that involve costs between $14-$20 a day and it will last for approximately 10-12 weeks.

The plan might take more time, based on how much weight you want to lose. However, you must be aware of the fact that you would spend around $1176 to $1680 solely for food.

To get around these commercial programs, like Weight Watchers, where you must buy their food, cut out the middle man and give the South Beach Diet a try. It’s the same concept based on the glycemic index.

Cost-Effective Foods To Shed Pounds

Here is a list of foods that will not only help you shed pounds, but also to stay fit in the long run:

• Chicken — Leg quarters and fillets are certainly less expensive and a lot healthier compared to red meat. The weight-loss secret lies in the cooking method. Baking the chicken meat or using it for soups and stews are great cooking methods. However, do not forget to eliminate the skin, which is known to be high in cholesterol.
  
  
• Rice — Numerous rice recipes can help you stay healthy and fit. Rice is a low-calorie food and you can cook it in many different ways. Besides, it will make you feel fuller without having to eat too much.
  
  Note however, that brown rice is much healthier, more nutritious, is better on the glycemic index, and there is anecdotal evidence that it helps lower blood pressure.
  
  
• Vegetables — Plain veggies are highly recommended due to the fact that they are not only very healthy and nutritious, but also cheap.
  
  You can season the vegetables yourself; this way you will reduce the sodium intake, which is essential when trying to lose weight. Nonetheless, avoid buying frozen vegetables.
  
  
• Fruits — Instead of eating salty chips or fast food, why not try fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas, and such. It is best to purchase seasonal fruits, since this is less expensive than buying extra seasonal fruits.

More Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Eating out cannot be avoided, especially when you have a working schedule that takes up most of your time. A very practical tip is to use the Internet in order to see which restaurants have healthier options.

Also, check for discounts and coupons as well. Living in Australia I have recently stumbled on a May promo for gym membership in this 24/7 hour gym in Oxley. It is not expensive to work out, but you also need some lifestyle changes.

Other Cost-Effective Lifestyle Changes

It is recommended to plan a menu for the entire week, or at least plan what you eat for lunch a week in advance. This way, you can easily estimate how much will you spend for food on a weekly basis.

Also, don’t go to the supermarket for several items only. Instead, make a list of the food you will need throughout the week; by doing this, you will be able to control how much you spend. There are now an abundance of smart phone apps that will allow you to add items to your list at any time and then delete them as you put them in your basket.

In the end, do not forget that you can find countless discounts and promotional offers on the Internet, all you have to do is to check out the supermarkets that offer discounts. This way, you will save some money.

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