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How to Fight Recession Weight Gain

Posted Wed, Apr 29, 2009, 4:43 pm PDT
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Studies have shown that people frequently eat a lot worse when money gets tight. Poppycock! Here are Hungry Girl's TOP ATE ways to eat right on a budget...


1. It's all about DIY portion control. 100-calorie packs, as much as we love them, are NOT recession-friendly. Grab a giant bag of that snack you like so much and a package of cheap re-sealable baggies or plastic containers. Break out the measuring cup, and portion out your goodies before you have a chance to overindulge. Spend the time, save the money...

2. Buy in season. You've likely heard this one before, but buying seasonal produce means buying what's fresh, abundant, and cheap. Bonus? It tastes better. 'Nuf said!

3. Hit up your local super-centers. Their parking lots can be scary, but they can save you some serious dough. SuperTarget and Wal-Mart Supercenter locations have grocery departments with some great deals (especially in the clearance section!). Warehouse stores (like Costco) are great for mega-packs of non-perishable foods.

4. Frozen food is your (very chilly) friend! Fruits and veggies keep a LOT longer and are often cheaper if you buy them frozen. And as we've said before, it's more cost-effective to get the big bags of stuff you buy a lot. Hooked on seafood? Skip the fish counter and hit up the freezer. Fish is good for you but a little pricey when fresh. Frequent the freezer aisle, but don't get tempted by frozen junk food.

5. Become a bargain warrior. Clip (or download) coupons for the grocery store, for local eateries, everything. Keep your eyes and ears open for special offers (restaurants are hurting now and pulling out all the stops). And if you see a great price on something you use a lot (that won't go bad), stock up!

6. Go generic! Show the world you don't care about superficial things like fancy food labels. Most grocery stores stock generic versions of popular food items at a fraction of the name-brand price... and the knock-off is usually placed right next to the original. How convenient! And if there IS a must-buy with no substitute, make it stretch. (Example: We'd be lost without Fiber One cereal, so we mix it with plain puffed wheat or puffed rice to make it last for twice as many breakfasts.)

7. Brown bag your lunch! If your workplace doesn't have a fridge, invest in an insulated lunch-bag and a freezer pack. For those with fridge access, the sky's the limit! We like to fix a big salad in the morning, bring along light dressing, and a pouch of tuna, and voila! Lunch to go. Got a microwave? Sweet! Soup is easy, portable, and mucho good for you -- scope out the low-fat, low-cal and/or low-sodium versions that you like best.

8. Sick of worrying about the economy? Need to cut loose? Have a recession-proof potluck party -- everyone brings their favorite dish-on-a-budget. Then crank the tunes, dim the lights (lower power bills!), and let the chewing begin! We suggest some Yum Yum Brownie Muffins (2 ingredients!), our Creamy-Good Eggplant Dip (cut tortillas into triangles for cheap and easy dippers), or if you need an entrée, a Kickin' Chicken Pot Pie (WAY easier than you ever thought possible)!

And here are some ideas on how to make junk food better for your diet.

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15 Comments

  • 1. Posted by KenDraccy on Wed, Apr 29, 2009, 5:55 pm PDT

    Nice ideas, here! My wife and I have started brown-bagging for work lunches. Our favorites: homemade soups, nice big salads, or hearty, vegetarian chili. If we're in a rush, we use canned or prepared foods, but we make it the exception rather than the rule. This is part of why we've each lost 60 pounds over the past year -- and it's saved us a load of money compared to buying lunch every day. The bonus? Lunch out is a treat, not a daily habit!

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  • 2. Posted by Wakynao on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, 6:30 am PDT

    Does Lisa Lillien aka Hungry Girl suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder? Maybe that's the reason she refers to herself constantly in the second person. "We like to make a big salad. . ." What if the personalities disagree on the salad ingredients? Honestly, she's got some great tips and ideas, but I have a hard time getting past this cutesy-cute writing style that addresses the readers as if they were in preschool.

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  • 3. Posted by mere_box on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, 1:36 pm PDT

    "We" would be first person plural.

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  • 4. Posted by tanya d on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, 8:15 pm PDT

    123456789

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  • 5. Posted by bingogal66@bellsouth.net on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, 9:28 pm PDT

    very good suggestions. there is a microwave at work so I will try the soups and leftovers what i had the night before. not big on salads though. yes, i'm fat. SO WHAT!!! lol just kidding. thanks for the tips

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  • 6. Posted by dmplot53@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, 10:52 pm PDT

    we've been brown bagging for many years!

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  • 7. Posted by Vegan Vindicator on Fri, May 01, 2009, 5:19 am PDT

    These are all great suggestions as always, Hungry Girl. Only thing is, in this part of the country, five months out of the year the only produce that's "fresh and in-season" is pine trees and sphagnum moss - everything else has been sitting in a warehouse since October. If you're stuck in the tundra too, try frozen fruit and veggies, they hold a lot of their nutrition and the quality is consistent.

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  • 8. Posted by Vickie R on Fri, May 01, 2009, 7:04 am PDT

    These are really great reminders. I pay more attention to my fat and caloric intake when I pack my lunches than when I buy them. Thanks for the tips.

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  • 9. Posted by MiMi on Fri, May 01, 2009, 11:45 am PDT

    make double recipes of your favorites on days off, then freeze all the rest your not eating right away in seperate containers or baggies for lunches..and even though we ARE in a economy crisis, lets not forget the poor, when you see a real bargain, buy extras and donate to food banks..

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  • 10. Posted by Dana on Mon, May 11, 2009, 10:12 am PDT

    Wakynao, "honestly," I have a hard time getting past someone who criticizes someone’s hard work – and while criticizing does not know exactly what he or she is criticizing! “We” is NOT the second person – it is the first person plural.

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  • 11. Posted by lisa on Sat, May 16, 2009, 9:36 am PDT

    We--my hubby and I--have been steering clear of all restaurants and fast foods for months. Our lives are richer and better all around for it. We eat dinner at home....with our kids at the table, every night. The wholesome goodness and joy of eating well brings us closer....and closer to the end of credit card debt! We know what is in our food, and whats NOT: less germs to worry about--swine flu fears be gone! One night we did go out with friends and found that with one dinner with wine and dessert, at a good restaurant--the bill cost us what we spend in an average week on groceries!!! and the food was nowhere near as delicious as our own....and yes, the leftovers make our coworkers long for marriage themselves!!! My advice: honor your own economic situation, and get more use out of the home you live in. you will find joy that is immeasurable!

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  • 12. Posted by Skinny on Tue, May 19, 2009, 12:45 pm PDT

    "Junk" food is food which is poisoned, contaminated, spoiled, stale or otherwise damaged or chemically/genetically tampered with. How many starving people in this world could live to see another day if they had but one "FastFood" meal? In a world where food prices keep rising, only the obese will survive! Being fat someday will be seen as one who has found a way to survive!

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  • 13. Posted by lted6802@sbcglobal.net on Mon, Jun 22, 2009, 3:17 am PDT

    !3.Posted by busy lady on June 22,2009, first time i have read your artical. and love the inspriation that you have to put out information to anyone who wants and looking for new ideas. Keep up with the I care attitude, and move forward for a better world and econamy.

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  • 14. Posted by bluehaven65@att.net on Mon, Jun 22, 2009, 7:37 am PDT

    I am 69 yrs. young and have been doing most of your suggestions for most of my life, while raising 4 kids and now being on S.S. I have a garden and raise most of my veggys and some fruit. I can and freeze them. In the summer I eat right out of the garden, mmmm-good. Most people could enjoy really fresh too, with little work. A couple of tomato and pepper among their flower garden, some lettuce , kale, collards along the foundation of the house. Strawberries pretty and edible boarder for flower beds. All these can be grown in plastic containers too. These can be found at garage and yard sales very cheaply. poke some drain holes in the bottom, cover them with coffee filters so the soil won't leak out and some foam peanuts for drainage, and good potting soil, [ I mix my own, it's cheaper] put in your plants or seeds, water and there you go. Water every couple of days and fertilize weekly and before you know it your picking and eating really fresh. Blueberries can be part of your landscape or grown in pots. They are so good for you, and as an added bonus they are beautiful in the fall. When growing in pots, make sure they are deep enough for the plants you are growing. You can get this information at many sights on line, or at your library. I hope this gives some an idea that is both healthy and a great hobby for parents and kids together, and seniors with time on their hands. God Bless

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  • 15. Posted by sugartasty4u on Mon, Jun 22, 2009, 11:35 pm PDT

    I still cant get over this person with her critical personality flaw. Why if she felt what she was reading wasnt suited for her age or intelligence simply click away? WOW! Sorry for u Wakynao! I thought the artical was informative and easy to understand. I'm glad there are still people who share valuable knowledge instead of wasting their time with the wrong kind of critizism to the wrong place.

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