5 ways to eat well and spend less

We all know that home-cooked, freshly prepared food is much healthier than takeout or ready meals. However, with the rising cost of fresh ingredients, I’ve developed some useful tips on how to eat well without breaking the budget.

The key to success is meal planning. Without a solid plan, it’s just luck if you end up with the right foods in your fridge or cupboard! Plus, having a plan allows you to prioritise healthy meal choices while managing your daily life.

Step 1 - Be honest with yourself about your spending habits!

How much do you typically spend on take-out coffees, lunchtime sandwich meal deals, mid-afternoon treats and takeaways? Diverting this money to healthier food choices means you can prioritise the choices that support your goals

Step 2 - Plan your planning

Becoming a planning pro through routines and schedules is vital to staying on track. Choose and prioritise a time when you know you’ll be free to plan breakfasts, lunches and dinners - even if it means setting a reminder on your phone. With a plan in place, you avoid the day-to-day shopping that works out more expensive in the long run (especially if your willpower is low and you may fall for supermarket marketing tricks) 

Step 3 - Do a kitchen audit

Transform your well-thought-out meal plan into a shopping list by first checking what you already have in your freezer, fridge, and cupboards. You might even consider doing this before planning your meals, allowing you to base your menu on what you have available. This approach not only saves money but also helps prevent food waste.

Step 4 - Be a savvy shopper

Avoid going grocery shopping when you're hungry! Stick to buying only what you need and steer clear of any extras. Developing this discipline may take some time, but it's worth the effort to maintain a healthy diet without overspending. If you're short on time or often find yourself tempted by the enticing sights and smells of the supermarket, consider trying online shopping as an alternative.

Step 5 - Get creative with leftovers We often throw away food when we’re not sure what to do with the leftovers. There are lots of online resources offering easy recipe suggestions for pretty much anything you have lurking in the fridge. Try Love Food Hate Waste / Preventing food waste or Everyday Leftovers Recipes for inspiration

Looking to make positive changes to benefit your long-term health and wellbeing?

Book a call with me and let's get moving on your health goals. https://calendly.com/eatwell22/discovery-call