We have heard many times from people that “eating healthy is expensive”.  Today we are going to debunk this myth!  Here are some tips that you can use on your next trip to the grocery store to get the most out of your budget.

Planning is Key

• Plan your meals for the week so that you know exactly what you need to buy. This will help you when making your shopping list.
• Always go shopping with a list! It’s important to plan your shopping so that you don’t overspend on unnecessary groceries, or are tempted to buy unhealthy foods.
• Know exactly what is in your fridge, freezer and pantry before you go shopping. Use this when you are planning your meals for the week ahead.
• Tick off items from your shopping list as you go along. This way you will be more focused and have less time for browsing all the aisles looking for things that you don’t need.

Don’t go hungry

• Grocery shopping when you are hungry is a big no-no. Always make sure that you have already eaten or have a healthy snack like a fruit , yoghurt or a handful of nuts before you do your shop.
• If you shop hungry you will be much more tempted to grab a quick convenience meal or those chocolates and crisps that are oh-so-conveniently placed as you are waiting to pay!

Get seasonal with Fruit and Veg

• Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables is a great way to save money and you will get a lot more value for your money.
• You can also buy fruits and vegetables from a fresh produce store rather than in a supermarket where they tend to be more expensive.
• Frozen fruits and vegetables are also a wonderful alternative and you don’t have to worry about them going off in the next few days. Have you ever tried frozen berries in a smoothie? Delicious!

Meatless Monday anyone?

• Have a few meat-free days or meals and use beans, lentils, and chickpeas as an alternative source of protein instead of meat and chicken which tend to be more costly. These foods are wonderful because not only are they a source of protein, they also contain lots of soluble fibre which helps to keep your digestive system healthy.
• Canned fish such as tuna, sardines or pilchards, and eggs are also a cost-effective source of protein.
• If you are buying meat then have a look at your local butchery where meat items are generally cheaper than supermarkets.

Dump the junk

• Buy less processed foods. For example a box of Oats is much cheaper than many of the sugary processed cereals and is also much healthier for you.
• Buy less “junk food”. Junk food offers little to no nutrition and is regarded as empty calories, meaning your body is being loaded with additional calories but not much in terms of vitamins, minerals and fibre.  Think about a large bag of crisps – this can cost almost the same as an entire bag of apples which gives you way more servings and is SO much healthier!

Know the tricks of the trade

• Don’t write off non-branded products. Often the supermarket house brand items are just as good and they may suit your budget better.  Just read the labels and ingredients to ensure that you’re not getting a lesser quality product.
• Items placed at eye level are often more expensive so look around a bit before deciding on your purchase.

Happy shopping!