With food prices on the rise, everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment, and more and more people are looking for ways to cut down their grocery bills. With just a few changes to your buying and cooking habits, you can cut down your costs without cutting your food's flavour and nutritional value.

Read below for FBF’s money-saving tips for your food bill: 

Fruit & Vegetables

1. Buying produce by the bag is cheaper than individually
2. Buying seasonally is cheaper (plus produce tastes much better when in season)
3. Buy frozen produce - just as nutritious, available all year round, and usually sold in large bags.
4. Avoid buying pre-packaged salad mix bags

Protein

1. Buy frozen bags of fish fillets
2. Replace some of the meat in your meals with pulses (beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas). They are filling, a good source of fibre, nutrients and are cheaper than meat - using 1/2 & 1/2 works!

Carbohydrates 

1. Choose wholegrains where possible (brown rice, quinoa, wholewheat pasta, buckwheat, brown bread), as these are less processed than refined grains, so they contain more fibre and nutrients.
2. Buy big bags for more portions and better value for money
3. Store your carbohydrates in air-tight containers once opened to keep for longer
4. You can freeze leftover bread and then toast or defrost it when you want to use it

Fats 

1. Tinned oily fish (e.g. sardines/salmon) can be cheaper than buying fresh fish - plus they have a long shelf-life. opt for ones in spring water to keep the salt content to a minimum
2. Take advantage of special offers on fish and freeze any that you are not going to use straight away
3. Swapping processed ready foods (high in saturated fats) such as bacon, ham, and sausages, with healthier fats is lighter on the heart as well as your pocket

Dairy products

1. Supermarkets own brand yoghurts and plant-based milk are usually better value for money
2. Products like milk and cheese can be frozen so you can take advantage of special offers and store any extra you buy in the freezer

 

Final tips:

• To reduce impulse buys and spending more than you need to, stick to your shopping list to prevent you from going over budget. 
• Ready-made meals are expensive - instead, freeze your own homemade meals in portion sizes, which is much cheaper and healthier!
• Purchase your vegetables from the basic and essential range, which are just as good - though not in regular shapes and sizes - they can help when buying on a budget!

 

Written by Abigail Attenborough (ANutr)