Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away and for many of us that means lots of great food. But it doesn’t have to mean a lot of calories, extra weight, and an empty wallet. Last weekend we figured out a traditional menu that will serve 8 people a healthy meal for $30.
Why is it healthy? The turkey is roasted—not fried, the food is homemade so it isn’t loaded with sodium like many of the convenience foods, the vegetables and fruits are prepared letting the natural flavors shine rather than be smothered, and we have skipped the crust on the pie and gone right to the ‘good for you’ pumpkin filling.
My sister is trying to promote a “Turkey Trot” on Thanksgiving morning for us—just like they do in her husband’s hometown. The Turkey Trot is a 3K route and everyone walks or runs as far as they want and are able. This sounds like a great plan to me, and I think it would work with our family since we share the cooking. Walking and talking sure makes the exercise go more quickly.
Check out the recipes and see how we figured the costs.
-pointers from Peggy
food cost, food preparation, recipes
calories, cost, exercise, healthy, menu, recipes, Thanksgiving, turkey trot, weight
My sisters are both fans of The Biggest Loser. It inspires them to keep their weight in check and keep up with the exercise. In fact, one of them walks on a treadmill for an hour during the program, competing with herself to get more miles each week.
There is a new book out by Cheryl Forberg, the registered dietitian from the show. The book includes tips, recipes and wisdom from the show’s trainers and contestants. It’s pretty good information about diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Fosberg tells what she has learned from the contestants in her eight years of working on the show. Among the findings:
- They didn’t know how many calories they needed.
- They often skipped meals.
- They didn’t eat enough fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains.
- They didn’t plan their meals, often grabbing food on the go.
- They drank too many calories as sugary beverages, but didn’t get enough water or milk.
- They didn’t get enough exercise.
Nothing new here—but just like the show, there is nothing magical about losing weight. It’s a matter of working hard and hanging in there. How does all this relate to finances—less calories means less overall food and less higher-cost prepared food. If I feel good and my clothes fit, I am not as tempted to buy new ones.
-ponderings by Peggy
food cost
calories, Cheryl Forberg, exercise, planning meals, savings, The Biggest Loser, weight
Sandwiches can be healthy—or not—depending on how you put them together. We have a new Sandwich Building Activity that lets you choose topping options for a submarine sandwich, check your nutrition score, and get a nutrition facts label for the sandwich. If your sandwich is high in calories and low in nutrients, you can back up, choose alternatives, and see if you can make your sandwich healthier.
I tried lots of options, but can’t get the score over 80 with a six-inch sub. The bigger sub does provide more of the nutrients you need in a day, but is way too many calories for me.
-pointers from Peggy
food preparation, resources
calories, nutrition, sandwich, sub, toppings
