Money-Saving Health and Fitness Tips for the Family

Written By: Daniel Gleich

Keeping you and your family healthy is important to living a long and happy life, but it can sometimes be expensive. However, staying fit and healthy doesn't have to break the bank. There are some simple, budget-friendly things you can do to achieve your wellness goals. Exercising can involve a pricey gym membership, but you can also stay fit with simple body-weight exercises at home or take a walk or run to improve your cardiovascular health. Eating right begins with cooking at home, using healthy ingredients while planning meals carefully to minimize waste. And be sure to check your health insurance plan to see if there are benefits you're not taking advantage of: Some programs offer discounts on fitness classes or mental wellness programs, and most will cover preventive care at little or no out-of-pocket cost.

Myths About Nutrition and Physical Activity

Read about some myths that might be holding you back from establishing healthier habits in this guide from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

How to Get Your Family Involved With Healthy Eating

It can be a lot harder to maintain a healthy diet if you're doing it alone, surrounded by family who aren't trying to reach the game goal.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Adults

Follow the American Heart Association's guidelines to maintain good heart health.

Choosing Healthy Protein

Your body needs protein to build and maintain tissues and organs, but not all forms of protein are created equal. Some are lean and healthy, while others are loaded with fat, salt, or preservatives.

Does an Apple a Day Really Keep the Doctor Away?

There's some truth to this old saying, as eating apples can provide fiber and antioxidants that contribute to the health of your heart and your gut.

How to Save Money While Losing Weight

A bit of creativity can help you make the most of what you already have in the house, whether it's food tucked away in your pantry or clothes that don't fit anymore, while you're losing weight.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Planning is key to creating a meal plan that will feed your family healthy foods while still fitting within your budget.

Promoting Youth Fitness

People of all ages need to get exercise to stay healthy, including kids and teens. Try these ideas to get the family up and moving while having fun.

30 Fun Ways to Exercise

Getting the exercise you need to stay healthy doesn't have to be grueling or expensive. Try these ideas to have fun and get fit.

19 Clever Ways to Eat Healthy on a Tight Budget

Try these tips to help you pinch pennies without sacrificing nutrition.

Creating a Healthier Life

Wellness includes a lot of factors, from the food we eat to our emotional well-being. When you're trying to turn over a new leaf and work toward a healthier lifestyle, it's important to keep your goals reasonable and work on one thing at a time, rather than trying to make sweeping changes to many parts of your life at once.

Seven Ways to Get Fit Without a Gym

Gym memberships can be expensive, but you also have lots of other options to achieve your fitness goals.

Family Food and Fitness

This guide can help families learn more about eating well and staying active to improve their health.

Smart Food Choices: Balancing Food and Physical Activity

Eating a healthy diet can be challenging for busy families, but even small changes to your routine can help, like making sure that nobody skips breakfast and keeping healthy snacks in the house.

How to Exercise Using Items in Your Home

You don't need gym equipment to get in shape. Many exercises can be done using your own body weight, and others require only simple household items, like a chair or some canned goods from your pantry.

A Pocket Guide to Preparing Fruits and Vegetables

Broaden your culinary horizons by trying a new vegetable or finding a new way to use your favorite fruit.

Nutrition Bites: Staying Hydrated

Water is an often-neglected but vitally important part of everyone's diet. This newsletter includes tips on how to make sure that you're getting enough water throughout the day.

You Don't Need to Spend Money to Be Fit

Try these strategies for getting a good workout without paying a thing.

The Powerful Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C as well as flavonoids and fiber that can help to keep you healthy.

Health and Wellness: How to Keep Yourself Healthy

Exercise and nutrition are important parts of staying healthy, but so are things like keeping your vaccinations up to date and getting enough sleep.

Sport Snack Game Plan

Packing healthy snacks can keep kids going while they play team sports, and it can also be more cost-effective than junk food.

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight

The CDC offers tips for creating a healthy eating plan.

How to Read Food Labels

Understanding how to read nutrition labels can help you to make smart decisions at the grocery store.

Eating for Better Health

Combining exercise with a healthy diet can help you to maintain or improve your health.

Balancing Food and Physical Activity

To stay at a healthy weight, you need to balance the amount of calories that your body needs with the amount that you're eating.

Family Dinners for a Healthy Heart

Cooking together and eating together can be a fun family bonding experience, and it also allows you to control the amount of sodium in your diet.

Eating Healthy on a Tight Budget: Six Top Tips

The British Heart Foundation offers these helpful strategies for taking care of your health without investing a lot of money.

Expert Advice for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Considering the nutrient density of the foods you buy can help to make healthy eating more affordable. For instance, beans and whole grains generally cost less in terms of calories per dollar, and they're also good for you.

The Best Free Workout Apps to Try

Plenty of apps offer workout plans and videos to help you stay in shape, and some of them are free.

Take Advantage of Wellness Programs From Your Health Insurance

Some insurers offer perks like clinics to help people lose weight, discounted gym memberships, or even coverage for massage therapy.