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How to Eat Well on a Budget

Lauren Sackett
Jan 13, 2016
2 min read

Eating on a budget doesn't mean living on tinned beans and toast. Healthy food doesn't always need to be expensive.

Eating and shoppig on a budget starts with planning!

1. Planning

Before you get to the shops, have a plan of your meals and snacks for the week.

2. Stock take

Check what foods and supplies you already have and which you need to buy more of.

3. Always shop with a list

Don't rely on memory, you will most likely get distracted and end up buying unnecessary things.

4. Shop around

Don't shop hungry! This is one of the main reasons we buy junk foods and snacks we really don't need, but it looks nice at the time, because we are hungry. The local butcher and green grocer probably have better deals than chain supermarkets.

5. Do some price checking between your local shops, see which are better for buying fresh produce, meat, boxed goods etc.

6. Buy fruits and veg that are in season

These are more likely to be cheaper than when they need to be imported out of season.

7. Specials

Look for specials and deals of the day in the shop. Pay attention to TV adverts, flyers in the newspapers or mail boxes for good deals.

8. Buy in bulk

Foods are cheaper this way, and extras can be frozen or stored in the cupboards etc.

9. Shop for nutritious, budget foods

Like tinned tuna and salmon, eggs, peanut butter, unpackaged/loose fruit and veg, frozen vegetables, brown rice, oats, chicken (compare pieces with a whole chicken, skin on vs skinless, this can always be removed later), beef (instead of lamb, venison etc)

10. Set portion sizes.

Keep to portion sizes determined in recipes or meal plans and avoid second servings and overeating. Overeating on cheaper foods can end up being quite expensive.

11. Make your own healthy snacks

Buy in bulk and portion out snacks like dried fruit, nuts, cottage cheese, biltong, yoghurt, fruit. Make your own popcorn from kernels instead of buying it or chips. Cut your own fruits and veg sticks, don't buy the pre-prepared ones, it may take a bit more time to prepare yourself, but you can save a lot of money.

12. Eat in more

Eating at home more and out less can also help save money. Restaurants add their mark-up to each dish and drink. You could most likely duplicate those dishes with a good recipe and half the cost.

I hope these help on your way to healthy eating!!