I don’t know about you but I have noticed a massive difference in the cost of the food I buy each week. I’ve always considered my shopping habits to be on the economical side. My main shop is at a budget supermarket and top ups on my local high street but the prices have rocketed everywhere.
I’m fortunate not to live on benefits or the minimum wage but even for those of us on middle incomes the increases in food and fuel are scary.
As you know, my passion is for healthy food for everyone, no matter how much time we have to prepare meals and how much money we have. This increase in costs has not changed that passion but it has made the challenge all the more difficult.
Healthy eating is possible on a low budget. It’s possible without using too much fuel too BUT it does take planning and thought. When you are struggling to make ends meet that’s not always possible. The thinking time and effort tends to go into getting money to make ends meet or dealing with rising debts rather than planning balanced meals. There is no judgement here.
Tips
Whether you are living on benefits, the minimum wage or a middle income, keeping an eye on the budget is important. Here are some top tips to help from a nutrition perspective:
- Shop with a list
- Drink tap water (I’m not saying you can’t drink anything else but tap water is much cheaper than other drinks. It’s also better for us than most other drinks)
- Have a couple of nights a week when you eat leftovers or use up leftover veg. Curries, stir fries, soups pasta sauces and risottos are great ways to use things up.
- Consider one pot meals where you use one gas ring – for example stews, risotto, soup
- Use your oven for multiple meals at a time. This takes some planning. Eg when you are cooking your spuds for your Sunday dinner, roast extra. Then make them into a soup by blending them with stock to have the next day. Or cook some extra chicken to have cold in wraps or sandwiches.
I’ll be sharing lots more tips across my social media throughout March. Why not check them out Facebook and Instagram