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Eating on a budget

Not having loads of cash doesn’t mean you’ve got an excuse to eat unhealthily! You may have a wider choice of food if money isn’t an issue, but if you put a little thought and planning in, there’s no reason not to have a balanced, varied, healthy and, most importantly, tasty diet when you’re on a budget.

Eating on a budget – top tips

• Frozen fruit and vegetable are usually cheaper than fresh products and yet you can get some great quality frozen fruit and veg. A portion of frozen fruit and veg contributes to your 5 a day aim. Not only is frozen fruit and veg cheaper, but you can buy a load and only use what you need for each meal and put the rest back in the freezer – meaning less waste.

• Tinned veg and pulses offer a cheap way to get some valuable nutrients. But avoid tins with high salt content.

• Tinned fish is usually cheaper than fresh fish and offers a cheap way to get omega 3 fats. Again, watch out for salt content.

• This may sound like odd advice for eating on a budget – but it will help save money in the long run… Keep your cupboards or freezer well stocked – it’ll help you avoid being caught without food in the house and heading out in search of a not so cheap and not so healthy take away!

• Make your own lunch and take it to work, school or college – instead of using a canteen or a nearby cafe. Much cheaper option! Saving a pound or two or three this way soon adds up.

• Try different types of cheap healthy meals and keep a note of ones you like. Pasta meals are cheap and quick to make. A microwaved roast potato with tuna is a great way to fill your belly. Ever tried real porridge? No really, it’s great! And cheap!

• Try buying your fruit and veg from local markets and shops rather than supermarkets. Supermarkets are great at getting us to buy things we didn’t go into the supermarket to buy! If you’re in a local grocers, you’re more likely to only buy what you went in for – and therefore save some cash.

• Eat in – eating at home is cheaper than eating out, plus you know what’s in your food when you make it, so you know how healthy (or not) it is.

• When food shopping, use a shopping list – should help you stick to what you need.

• Take it in terns with mates to cook for each other – cooking for a group is cheaper than individuals cooking for one.

• Look out for Buy one Get One Free, Half Price and other offers – if it’s genuinely something you need, buy in bulk if you can. But don’t buy things you don’t need or won’t use just because you think you’re getting a bargain!!

• Use the web – compare prices and work out where to buy items on your shopping list from.

• Look out for seasonal veg – vegetables are usually a lot cheaper when they are in season.

• There are loads of recipe books out there for eating on a budget, use some of the money you’ve saved with the above tips to get yourself a book or two…

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