Trading Up Downtown

Grocery shopping at 7:00 AM this morning was awesome. I didn’t have to battle any crowds, there were no lines, and I could focus on finding the best deals and using my coupons to save money. I ended up saving a whopping $17 off my bill! Sweet!

Here’s this week’s cart:

• Bananas (NuVal score: 91)
• Broccoli (NuVal score: 100)
• Tomatoes (NuVal score: 96)
• Stonyfield Fat Free French Vanilla Yogurt (NuVal score: 39)
• Peaches (NuVal score: 99)
• Vans Organic Flax Frozen Waffles (NuVal score: 34)
• Eggland’s Best eggs (NuVal score: 44)
• Arugula (NuVal score: 82)

• Onion (NuVal score: 93)
• Green bell pepper (NuVal score: 94)
• Non-fat milk (NuVal score: 91)
• Canned chickpeas (NuVal score: 88)
• Strawberries (NuVal score: 100)
• Mushrooms (NuVal score: 96)
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (NuVal score: 12)
• Teddie Super Chunky (NuVal score: 38)
• Arnold Natural Flax & Fiber Bread (NuVal score: 48)

We all know that eating out, especially at fast food restaurants, is not usually the healthiest option. Eating just one fast food meal can pack enough calories, sodium, and saturated fat for an entire day, but, of course, the fast-and-easy temptation is tough to resist. However, as an informed customer, you can make healthier and more nutritious choices and still enjoy the convenience of fast food restaurants. Here are a few of my tips for enjoying fast food in a “healthy” way.

Drink water with your meal. If you’re going to indulge in fast food, skip the soda all together. There is nothing nutritious about soda!

Watch portion size. Order a small to help reduce unneeded calories and fat. If the “small” is not really small in size, share it with someone or take part of it home for later.

Make careful selections. Pay attention to menu descriptions and ask employees for clarification about particular menu items. Seemingly healthy items can be deep-fried, batter-dipped or breaded, which adds extra calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats to your meal. Similarly, if nutritional information is available on-site or online, consult it before making your meal decision.

Nix the extras. For example, if you order a burger, nix the cheese and/or “special” sauce, and eat your burger plain or with healthy toppings like lettuce, tomato, salsa or pickles. Same goes for salads: Order them without cheese and the dressing on the side.

Eat mindfully. Savor each bite, chew your food thoroughly, stop eating when you are full, and try to avoid eating on the run.

Enjoy the splurge and don’t feel guilty about it! Of course, moderation is key, but if you over-do-it, try to get back track the very next day with extra healthy meals and some exercise.

What are your best tips for enjoying fast food in a healthy way?

Trading Up Downtown Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered last week’s giveaway! Here’s your winner: 67!

67. Marie

Fajita peppers and onions and lots of guac!

Congrats, Marie! Please email me at thaupert@nuval.com with your full name and mailing address to claim your prize.

Do you procrastinate when it comes to planning vacations and other trips? Do you end up spending a fortune with your last-minute plans? Well, here’s how you can get out of town without blowing your bank account:

• Check out brand new hotels. This might sound counterintuitive, but recently opened hotels typically reduce their rates to attract customers. Check out hotelchatter.com, a daily webzine, for information about the latest bargains.
• Take the bus. I’m serious! If booking a plane ticket is too expensive, consider taking the bus to your destination. New “premium” bus companies, like the Bolt Bus, combine low prices with amenities such as free wi-fi. I often take the Bolt Bus to New York City. It costs me just $30 roundtrip and I take advantage the wi-fi on the bus.
• Go where the deals take you. If you want to go somewhere next weekend, try farecompare.com/dealfinder, a ticketing and travel-advice website. Just choose your departure city, the month, and how much you want to spend. The site will show you where you can fly in that price range.
• Book your flight midweek. Airlines often announce sales on Tuesday morning, so be sure to jump on those deals before they’re snapped up.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for saving money on travel?