Healthy Eating on a Budget
With the cost of some fresh fruits and vegetables on the rise at the moment you may be thinking ‘why is eating healthy so expensive?’ The good news is – it doesn’t have to be! Here are some of our top tips and tricks for a healthy and balanced diet that won’t break the bank.
1. Plan, Plan, Plan
Take some time each week or weekend to sit down and plan some meals for the week. This can be as simple as writing out a quick plan for dinner each day. Use this to create a shopping list for the week and this way you’ll know exactly what you need when you head to the shops! This will also save you some money as you won’t be buying items you don’t need for the week.
2. Shop Seasonally
Shopping seasonally not only ensures produce tastes better but can help you save! Produce in season costs less as there is usually more supply as well as reduced transport and travel costs. Eating seasonally also helps support local farmers.
Here is a quick little guide of fruits and vegetables in season during spring and winter in Australia.
(Sourced from Diabetes NSW)
3. Frozen and Canned Goods are your Best Friend
Frozen veggies can be used in exactly the same way as fresh produce. Canned vegetables and legumes are so cheap and easy to use! Add frozen veggies to a stir fry, stir frozen spinach through a soup, add canned tomatoes and lentils to your spaghetti Bolognese or try adding a can of chickpeas to your favourite curry. Using canned or frozen veg and legumes is such an easy way to boost the nutritional content of a meal with minimal cost.
4. Buy Staples in Bulk
Buying non-perishable items in bulk when they are on sale will save you some money in the long term. Items including rice, pasta, olive oil, cereal, flour and canned goods such as coconut milk have a very long shelf life, meaning they will last in the pantry for a long time. Stock up when you see these items on sale to save some money down the track!
The Bottom Line:
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive and saving money really comes down to planning and preparation. Take some time to plan your meals for the week, look through the sales, shop seasonally and make use of canned and frozen veg.
