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In this struggling economy, a lot of us are looking for ways to cut back. And for some of us, that means cutting back on food and exercise costs.

Dr. Charles Stewart Platkin is known as "The Diet Detective". He says the biggest mistake that people make when they look for ways to cut spending on food. They end up cutting their healthy eating and exercise programs. A big no-no, he says, especially now.

"When times are stressful, and there's a recession, you want to make sure that internally, you still feel good and exercise and eat right", Platkin says. "Those are the things that will help you maintain that level of confidence, that level of energy

Recession-Proof Your Diet:

1. Instead of a gym membership, set up an inexpensive home gym. An exercise mat, stability ball, and an exercise band is a good start.

2. Use your TV. Start your own collection of fitness DVDs. You can rent them from the library, or buy them cheaply online.

3. Buy organic only when necessary. According to the nonprofit 'Environmental Working Group, a lot of fruits and vegetables--such as apples, peaches, strawberries, cherries, lettuce and grapes-- have harmful pesticides.. so buy them organic when you can.

4. Cook in batches, and eat at home. Eating out can be expensive, and because of the large portions, unhealthy too. Cook up large batches of food, and freeze the leftovers.

5. But the first step you need to take in recession-proofing your diet, is to explore your eating and exersice patterns--to create what Platkin calls a "life audit" [ "It's about being a diet detective in your own life", Platkin says. "Record everything you eat or drink, whether you are stressed or not, and every activity that you do. After 2 weeks, examine that and look for ways of weaving physical activity into your everyday life. Like walking more."