With 2020 throwing so many curve balls our way, I know many of us have had to rethink our spending and tighten our budgets all round. When we are busy catching all the curve balls though, sacrificing our health is not something we want to be doing – so how do we eat healthy on a tighter budget?
It does take a little extra organisation and forethought, so here are some tips to save money, whilst still eating well.
Also take a look at the many budget friendly meals I have HERE.
Meal plan
Planning your meals will save you time, money and reduce your cognitive load for the week! When you meal plan you will shop less and buy only what you need, reducing your food bill and saving on food waste.
The Well Nourished Family membership provides you with done for you and customisable meal plans to suit every families size and tastes. And best of all, every plan generates both printable and digital shopping lists to really minimise your time in the kitchen.
Write a list and shop once
With your meals planned out, head to the shops with a list of what you need for the week and only buy what’s needed. Getting your shopping done in one go will also reduce time spent in the shops and allow more time for cooking a wholesome meal.
Cook as much as you can from scratch
Cooking your meals from scratch using whole ingredients is less expensive and way healthier. Research has demonstrated that the less time we, as a society, spend cooking, the higher the rates of diet related illness. So eating home cooked meals also saves on medical expense in the long run.
Don’t cook one off meals
Stick with recipes that you know work and that don’t use unusual or one off ingredients that you’ll have no further use for and end up throwing away.
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Prep meals in bulk
Whilst you’re in the kitchen cooking, cook your favourite meals in bulk so that you have leftovers that you can enjoy a second time or freeze for a less organised evening (instead of buying takeaway).
In the Well Nourished Family membership we provide you with done for you Meal Prep Plans so you can cook a group of meals in a really time efficient way and head into a busy week with peace of mind that dinner is done for the week.
Buy whole foods that are in season and locally grown
Buying food that is in season is not only healthier (as the food is at it’s nutritional peak) but its cheaper too (lower storage costs). If it’s locally grown, you’ll not be paying for transportation costs too.
Buy cheap cuts of meat
Buying the whole chicken as opposed to lots of parts is a really economical way to enjoy chicken (plus the carcass can be used to make a broth). Cheaper cuts of meat are also often really delicious when prepared well – many of my slow cooked meals use cheap cuts.
Bulk out or replace meat with legumes
Instead of making a dish with meat alone, consider adding legumes (which are really inexpensive) to replace some of the meat. For example, if making a curry, reduce the amount of meat and add in legumes like chickpeas or lentils to bulk it up with plant based protein and fibre.
Buy generic brands or the ugly bunch
Generic canned goods (like legumes and tomatoes) are no different to branded, more expensive labels. Also check out the ‘ugly bunch’ or the B grade fruits and vegetables – they often have minor imperfections but taste and cook exactly the same as more expensive produce.
Shop specials
If you can stock up when the things you consume regularly are on sale or marked down, do. If I see something like the brand of olive oil I like discounted at the supermarket, I buy half a dozen big bottles and store them in my linen closet (my pantry is a tiny one door cupboard).
Buy in bulk
Joining a co-op or buying from bulk suppliers is a great way to save money. Also, if something you eat a lot of goes on sale, consider stocking up if possible.
Go on the mailing list of local providers
Make sure you’re on the mailing list or following local stores on socials so you can see when items go on sale.
Grow leafy greens and herbs
Growing herbs and leafy greens doesn’t take a lot of space or a green thumb. This is such a great way to continue to add their incredible flavour and health benefits to your meals without needing to to shell out for bunches that you might not always use.
Don’t throw it, freeze it
Many vegetables and herbs are able to be frozen. So instead of throwing them away as they approach their use-by, search to find out how to preserve them in your freezer.
I hope this helps to get you thinking about ways you can eat well whilst saving your hard earned $’s. Share any tips I’ve missed in the comments below.
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