I often hear people say they can’t afford to eat healthily but the misconception that healthy food is expensive is so wrong. It can be tempting to buy cheaper, more fattening foods when money is tight but there are healthier and far more delicious alternatives!
Here’s my advice for healthy eating on a budget!
- Always write a shopping list – A list keeps you focused, keeps you within budget, and helps you to resist those tempting foods that are not nutritious.
- Never shop when you are hungry – You’re in danger of giving in to temptation, busting the food budget, and stocking up on all the wrong foods.
- Replace meat with pulses – Eating less meat and more beans, lentils and chickpeas is a good way to save money on your food while still getting the protein you and your family need. There’s also the added benefit of increased fibre. If you don’t want to do a full vegetarian meal, do a combination meal.
- Introduce quinoa – containing nearly twice the amount of fibre as other grains, quinoa is a complete protein which means it contains all the amino acids necessary for our protein needs. It is high in B vitamins, iron, calcium, and a good source of manganese, magnesium, copper and lysine. Quinoa is easy to cook and very inexpensive.
- Stock up on staples – Keep the fridge and cupboards well stocked with staples such as brown rice, pasta, oats, quinoa, beans, lentils, chickpeas, passata & coconut milk – look out for them when they are on special offer.
- Stock up on fruit and vegetables – Most fruit and veggies are surprisingly cheap. An average piece of fruit costs less than most bars of chocolate or a bag of crisps – and provides more in the way of nourishment for fewer calories.
- Bulk cook – Not only does it help avoid the temptation of getting a take away, it is a great way of availing of offers on meat or vegetables.
- Eggs are an excellent and inexpensive form of protein with incredible versatility. Here are 20 very simple ways to include them in your diet.
- Grow your own – growing your own is not just a great way of keeping costs down, but it is a fantastic experience for children to see how food grows and gives them the responsibility of minding and watching them. Not to mention the fun then of eating your own produce!
Handy recipes to incorporate the above into our diets: