If your food budget is tight, it may seem difficult to buy foods that make up a healthier diet. Here are 10 top tips to help reduce your food shopping bill and eat healthily at the same time.
- Make a shopping list and avoid buying on impulse
Plan your meals a few days ahead and make a list before you go shopping. Stick to the list in the shop so you don’t buy too much. Don’t shop when you are hungry!
- Go for value
Swap branded products for the supermarket’s ‘own’ or ‘value’ brands. These are often a lot cheaper and are just as good quality.
- Buy store cupboard items in bulk when they are on offer
Foods such as rice, pasta, cereal and tinned tomatoes will keep for a long time in your store cupboard. Look out for ‘2 for 1’ offers, but remember to stick to the items on your shopping list!
- Use frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables
These count towards your 5 a day. They usually cost less than fresh and won’t go off so quickly, so you are less likely to have to throw them away uneaten.
- Buy fruits and vegetables that are grown in the UK
These will usually be cheaper than imported produce.
- Look in the supermarket ‘reduced’ section
Supermarkets reduce the price of foods that are close to their use by date. This can be a great way to save money but make sure you are able to eat, cook or freeze everything before it goes off.
- Make your own meals
Ready meals can be high in fat, salt and sugar. Our course will show you how to make healthy alternatives for you and your family.
- Cook extra portions and freeze them
Many of the meals we cook on our course can be frozen, great for days when you don’t have time to cook from scratch. By cooking extra portions you can fill your freezer with quick and healthy meals.
- Buy cheaper cuts of meat
Meat can be expensive so look for cheaper cuts. Buy chicken thighs and drumsticks rather than breasts. Removing the skin from chicken helps to reduce the fat content.
- Take a home-made healthy snack (such as a sandwich) and a bottle of tap water with you when you go out.
Shop bought snacks and drinks are expensive, and often high in fat and sugar.
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