DARLINGTON - The Lafayette County University of Wisconsin-Extension is offering tips for healthy habits that can save money.
1. Stop (or don't start) smoking. Simple math reveals big savings. Smokers who quit also are more likely to save money on health care such as treatment for upper respiratory illness.
2. Take a brisk walk for 30 minutes (or more) each day. Those who get regular physical activity are less likely to have heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Being physically active helps people manage their stress, blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight.
3. Enjoy foods but eat less. Choosing smaller portions of food often means consuming fewer calories and maintaining a healthy weight. Also cut back on desserts, high-fat meats and sugary beverages.
4. Wash hands. Scrubbing hands for 20 seconds is key to preventing illnesses such as colds and flu.
5. Drink water in place of sugary beverages. Replacing sugary beverages with water can save hundreds of dollars a year.
6. Eat fruit in place of sweet snacks. Fruits are loaded with nutrients, low in calories and can reduce the risk of developing chronic disease.
7. Munch on raw veggies in place of snack chips.
8. Plan and prepare low-cost meals. A few hours a week spent planning shopping and preparing meals can save families hundreds of dollars a year. Include foods that are a good buy, such as in-season produce or lean meat that is on sale. Planning a weekly menu also increases the chances that food you purchase will be used before it spoils.
9. Read labels and follow directions on medications. Not following directions on over-the-counter or prescription medications can be a costly mistake. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if directions are confusing or there are questions on medications.
10. Prevent illness. Getting a flu vaccine at the local drugstore might cost $30 a year. But you save on the costs of medications, lost work, doctors' visits and even hospitalization to treat the flu if you get sick. Similarly, early detection and treatment of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer through low-cost screenings, could save the expenses of more extensive treatment down the road.
For more information, contact Mary Knellwolf, family living educator at the Lafayette County UW-Extension office, at 608-776-4820.
1. Stop (or don't start) smoking. Simple math reveals big savings. Smokers who quit also are more likely to save money on health care such as treatment for upper respiratory illness.
2. Take a brisk walk for 30 minutes (or more) each day. Those who get regular physical activity are less likely to have heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Being physically active helps people manage their stress, blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight.
3. Enjoy foods but eat less. Choosing smaller portions of food often means consuming fewer calories and maintaining a healthy weight. Also cut back on desserts, high-fat meats and sugary beverages.
4. Wash hands. Scrubbing hands for 20 seconds is key to preventing illnesses such as colds and flu.
5. Drink water in place of sugary beverages. Replacing sugary beverages with water can save hundreds of dollars a year.
6. Eat fruit in place of sweet snacks. Fruits are loaded with nutrients, low in calories and can reduce the risk of developing chronic disease.
7. Munch on raw veggies in place of snack chips.
8. Plan and prepare low-cost meals. A few hours a week spent planning shopping and preparing meals can save families hundreds of dollars a year. Include foods that are a good buy, such as in-season produce or lean meat that is on sale. Planning a weekly menu also increases the chances that food you purchase will be used before it spoils.
9. Read labels and follow directions on medications. Not following directions on over-the-counter or prescription medications can be a costly mistake. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if directions are confusing or there are questions on medications.
10. Prevent illness. Getting a flu vaccine at the local drugstore might cost $30 a year. But you save on the costs of medications, lost work, doctors' visits and even hospitalization to treat the flu if you get sick. Similarly, early detection and treatment of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer through low-cost screenings, could save the expenses of more extensive treatment down the road.
For more information, contact Mary Knellwolf, family living educator at the Lafayette County UW-Extension office, at 608-776-4820.
