Healthy food has the connotation of being an expensive lifestyle choice, especially with an army of mouths to feed! We are often bombarded with food choices which claim to offer economical value, but little to no nutritional value. But, don’t be discouraged – feeding your family healthily for less does not mean total compromise and the emptying of your pockets.
It is important to plan. Think about what you want to cook for the following week and draw up a meal plan and shopping list to stick to. List the ingredients needed for your plan and make informed and healthy changes.
When shopping, do not be tempted by impulse items which are not necessary, or part of your plan for the week. Incorporate any left-over foods into your meal plan and be strict about buying food you know that your family will most definitely eat. Make sure to not shop when hungry, as often, more than not, we load our trolleys up with comfort food which is tempting at the time, but doesn’t bode well with the lining of our purses and wallets.
If necessary, freeze any unused foods and add them into your forthcoming food plans to prevent food wastage and save money. Swap from named brands to cheaper brands, or even supermarket own-labels. By doing so, you could cut 30% off your food shopping bill, and often quality of food is near-enough the same.
Be wary of supermarket offers! Often, we are tempted and (more than often) succumb to supermarket deals offering reduced prices if we buy in bulk, buy one get one free, etc. If you never usually buy the items on offer, or you are unlikely to use it, then do not spend your cash unnecessarily. Stick to your shopping list and meal plans and if it is something you need, or something you know you will use, then take full advantage.
Although supermarkets offer most convenience when doing our weekly shop, make sure to pay a visit to a local butcher, fishmonger or greengrocer. Often local produce shops yield economical and good-quality goods and can give you advice on cheaper cuts and how to cook them. It also doesn’t hurt to support local shops!
Cook from scratch. Preparing and cooking your own meals is normally cheaper than buying pre-prepared goods and ready meals. By doing so, you can control what is added to your meals; making it easier to make healthier choices and also determine the quantity of food which will be made. Get the whole family involved and let your children help you prepare and cook meals, it will make your new food routine seem much more fun and appealing and it is a great educational tool in helping your children learn about how their meals are produced. Many websites offer cheap and healthy recipes for you to add to your plans.
Try cutting back on non-essential ‘luxuries’, such as crisps, chocolate, sweets, biscuits and fizzy drinks. Not only are non-essentials costly, but they are often laden with sugar and unhealthy fats, offering no nutritional value. Think about replacing them with healthier snacking alternatives such as nuts, seeds, fruit and plain yoghurt.