Eat healthy for less: tips

Healthy Eating on a Budget

• Buy all the basic foods such as, vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and meats first before considering snack foods

• Buy fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season

• Try freezing vegetables or fruit that are on sale to use in the future (great for smoothies)

• Mix up your meals by including a vegetarian meal each week using eggs or lentils – cheap and nutritious

• Add some canned kidney beans, lentils (or other legumes) to mince dishes or stews to make the meal go further

• Buy bulk items that will last, such as oats, brown rice and legumes

• Stop and think if you really need the novelty packaging. If you don’t need the storage container then try to pick the foods in plain packaging

• Don’t shop when you are hungry as you are more likely to buy things you don’t need

• Be supermarket savvy and watch out for items on ‘special’ as sometimes the price isn’t reduced

• Check supermarket catalogues for specials and identify any products that you need before you go shopping

• Buy from local fruit and vegetable shops, sometimes the produce isn't as aesthetically pleasing but it can be a lot cheaper

• Buy block cheese and grate it yourself

• There are two specific nutrients to focus on – especially at breakfast – if you want to eat well and save money stick to protein and fibrous carbohydrates.

• Rather than shop day-to-day for what you need, menu planning helps you make the most of cheap staples.