Little switches that make a healthy difference to your wallet and waistline

When I say the words coupons to my non-couponing friends I get mixed reactions:

"Takes too much time"

"I hate to clip coupons"

"Good for you"

"Wow look at that stockpile"

"The coupons are usually for things I don't buy"

"I seem to spend more when I coupon"

But most of all "The coupons are for junk food"

Some if it is true, I have stockpiles of fruit roll ups which were free when paired with a manufacturer coupon, store sale and catalina coupon.  Fruit rollups in my opinion are pure sugar even if it does say the word fruit in the product title - my children get these on rare occasions.  I usually donate it or add them to the Easter, Halloween baskets or party bags.  But you can coupon and eat healthily.

 Here are some little switches that make a healthy difference to your wallet and waistline

                                                              Switch out the "Junk" Food

Look at your grocery bill or pantry and see if you are “loaded” down with chips, candy, cookies, soda, refined products, etc.  How much would you save if you cut down on half of these?  Switch from white rice to brown rice. White refined pasta to whole wheat pasta. Use 100% whole grain bread. If you can't afford to do the switch 100% - mix half refined and half whole product.  Dilute all juice slowly until it is finally ½ water and ½ juice. Avoid all “drinks” that are NOT 100% juice. Cut down on your meat intake (meat is expensive). Cut down on salt intake.  Use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.

Switch out the Dietary supplements with Fresh fruit and vegetables
v.s.

Dietary supplements in most cases are unneeded and largely unregulated.  Don’t buy weight loss supplements or products like AirBorne that do not undergo thorough research.  Good healthy food such as fruit in your diet increases your immune system and are much cheaper than dietary supplements.  Some grocery stores like Giant PA offer fruit and vegetable coupons through when you subscribe to their emails.  There are, however, a few well-researched weight loss supplements that, when used in conjunction with a healthy diet, can provide exceptional results! Check out these Sensa reviews to learn more.

Spruce up your food

It is hard to pass up freebies, even if they are unhealthy food choices – take those products and “spruce” them up with healthier additions.  I always have on hand the following: wheat germ; dried beans like dark red kidney beans or black beans (beans are VERY inexpensive); walnuts and almonds; low sodium V-8 (vegetable) juice just to name a few.

When making cookies, brownies or a cake – add chopped walnuts and wheat germ to the flour

You don’t need the margarine or butter to the box mix of macaroni and cheese.  Add some additional whole wheat pasta to it.  Blend in some pureed carrots or use “baby carrots”

Replace margarine and/or butter with olive oil when the recipe permits it. You don’t need a lot!!

For rice side dishes add kidney/black beans to the dish.  Replace the water with vegetable or tomato juice.

Add wheat germ and walnuts to oatmeal or make a yummy granola

Eat healthier and save money at the same time!!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Cottonelle blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

About Cottonelle

The Cottonelle brand provides innovative comfort solutions for perineal personal care. Cottonelle toilet paper is available in three forms: Cottonelle Ultra toilet paper, Cottonelle Aloe & E toilet paper, and Cottonelle Premium toilet paper. To help people feel cleaner and fresher than with toilet paper alone, Cottonelle offers Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes and Cottonelle SoothingClean Flushable Moist Wipes enriched with Aloe & E.

More info about the Cottonelle Ultra Switch: http://www.cottonelleultraswitch.com/