Did you know that Retail Therapy and Comfort Food have a lovechild?

Women have a reputation for using “retail therapy” after a hard day (or week, or year), and both sexes are known to use high-fat comfort foods to soothe the soul; but did you know that Retail Therapy and Comfort Food have a lovechild?

His name is Recession Obesity.

Recession Obesity is a phenomenon born of both the gratification and convenience of a new purchase, and of the quick mood-boost offered by fatty and sugary foods. Though many people blame their declining diet standards on healthy food becoming more expensive, Time Magazine and The Wall Street Journal have been documenting America’s changing purchasing habits, and waistlines, over the past year. Their findings are that junk food sales aren’t up primarily because they’re cheap, but because they feel good.

The recession has done some good things for our health (bike riding is up 14 percent from 2007); but they don’t outweigh (pun intended) the bad. McDonald’s sales, as well as those of  chips, donuts, beer and microwaveable meals rising.

It’s all a matter of perception. We perceive that the unhealthy food is the better option because we know it will make us feel satisfied and comforted when we need a boost; and it seems cheaper than healthy food. Heck–it’s hard to turn your nose up at a dollar menu. We know that it will make us feel worse in the long run, but the carrot (or, you know, french fry) of  instant gratification dangling in front of us wins. The trick to avoiding Recession Obesity is to call him what he is: a fun friend who makes you forget your problems, but leaves you feeling like crap.

Here are some easy, recession friendly ways to satisfy your need for health, as well as comfort food:

Think happy, vegetable-y thoughts

• Getting fresh, whole foods into your body will boost your mood and energy in the long run. Veggies don’t have to be expensive. Most are seasonal, so stock up on your favorites when they’re cheapest
  
• Wash and chop all your veggies after purchase, to save time when you’re cooking. Store them in bags in the fridge
• Take sliced veggies with you for snacks. You’ll feel better about yourself and save money if you can avoid the vending machine
  
• Carrot sticks not your snack-style? Try sliced zucchini, or get a little crazy with a handful of peanuts. They’re cheaper per serving (about 12 cents) than chips if you buy the big 3 lb. can

Make cheap, healthy comfort food at home

• Pizza Using this easy pizza crust recipe and this marinara sauce recipe, plus a little cheese and some chopped veggies, you can have two low-fat, high vitamin pizzas (easily enough for two people) for about $0.75. All told it takes about 30 minutes to make them. To save time in the future, make a couple extra crusts. I save them (uncooked) between sheets of cooking-sprayed wax paper, and then in a large zip bag in the freezer
• Oatmeal Buy the big canister, not the instant packages. You’ll save money and calories by adding your own brown sugar, and some raisins or cut up fruit. As with veggies, look for seasonal fruit to get the best deals.
• Ice Cream Gena, of choosingraw.com has the most amazing ice cream alternative: freeze peeled bananas and throw them in a food processor. They get all light and rich like softserve; and I swear they taste like a Wendy’s Frosty if you add cocoa powder and a little sugar

Plan ahead

• Decide what meals you want for the week, and make a list before you hit the grocery store. You’ll save money if you know what you want
• Make large meals and store portion-sized leftovers in the fridge and freezer. You’ll cut out the preservatives, fat and cost of store-bought microwaveable meals

Ultimately, Recession Obesity is largely the result of an emotional need, not frugality. If you take the time to plan ahead,  and occasionally reason past the instant gratification and fatty-goodness of fast food and processed snacks, you’ll have little trouble getting through hard times with a rockin’ body