Give it a go… Shop wisely

Get organised by planning your meals for the week;  check your fridge, freezer and cupboards before you go shopping so you know exactly what you need and are therefore less likely to over-shop. Being prepared for your food shop can help with reducing food waste, unnecessary purchases or ending up in situations where you need to rely on more expensive and often highly processed convenience options. Make a shopping list based on your budget that contains the staple foods you need (think brown rice, pasta, beans and legumes) as well as specific options for meals and snacks that you plan to have that week (I would recommend keeping this as a rough, flexible guide rather than a rigid plan!). If you have the money, storage space and time to buy and cook in bulk, this is not only helpful with busy weeks but also leads to cost savings in the long run. Batch cooking can also help to reduce food waste as you are preparing food when fresh and often freezing this. It also means that you have home cooked meals ready to go which are more nutrient-dense than shop bought alternatives.

Step away from… nutrition fads and eating out

Many of us are exposed to mixed messages about fad diets, miracle supplements or the latest juice diet, which can be both expensive and detrimental to a healthy relationship with food. Interestingly, the cheapest low-carb diet has been found to be around triple the cost of the cheapest diet that has no carbohydrate restrictions – the key is selecting the ‘right’ carbohydrates. A diet high in wholegrain carbohydrates has many health benefits and with no extra costs, so switch from refined white starchy foods to wholegrain versions, this is a win-win, as wholegrains can provide up to 75% more nutrients than refined grains. Your daily caffeine fix may also be adding to your monthly expenditure, where astonishingly a latte a day could cost you and extra £1,007 a year, so be mindful; fill up your flask and bring your leftovers for lunch.