| Most people are trying to be more careful with | | | | items on your shopping list, rather than making |
| their cash these days, and while you may need to | | | | unplanned purchases that catch your eye. |
| put your spending habits on a diet, it isn't | | | | #5 Buy own brand products |
| necessary to sacrifice the quality of your eating | | | | Generic brands are sometimes maligned for being |
| habits overall. | | | | lower in quality, but before you make your |
| Here are 8 ways you can save money and still | | | | decision, check out the labels, you may find they |
| follow a healthy eating plan: | | | | contain the same, or sometimes more nutritious |
| #1 Plan to eat healthy | | | | ingredients to the equivalent named brand, and |
| Menu planning is the number one way to save | | | | obviously they'll be a lot cheaper. |
| money on your food shopping bill. When you don't | | | | #6 Buy produce when on offer |
| have a menu plan you'll be more likely to | | | | Look out for special offers particularly on the lean |
| haphazardly purchase items at the supermarket, | | | | meats, chicken and fish that you use regularly, as |
| and this is when expensive items are bought that | | | | this is a great way to save a considerable |
| you really don't need, or want. | | | | amount. When you get home from the store you |
| But, by having a menu plan, food shopping will be | | | | can re-portion into the required servings and |
| a breeze - you'll know exactly what you need to | | | | freeze for later. |
| buy, and it'll save time because you won't need to | | | | #7 Bake your own treat foods |
| shop every other day. | | | | Try baking your own bread, cookies, cakes, and |
| By thinking about your menu before you shop, | | | | desserts for special treats, rather than choosing |
| you'll also be able to plan of few budget meals, or | | | | supermarket produce. |
| to use the weekly supermarket specials to save | | | | Home baked goods are much more nutritious |
| even more money. | | | | than the store bought alternative, and you'll save |
| #2 Cook vegetarian meals | | | | money by baking in your own home. |
| Eating a least one vegetarian meal each week is a | | | | You can make your recipes healthier by |
| great way of getting extra veggies into your diet, | | | | substituting the ingredients to improve the |
| and also saving on the cost of meat. | | | | nutritional value. Try baking in bulk if you're stuck |
| But remember to choose healthy recipes - a | | | | for time, and then freezing for later, so that |
| vegetarian diet doesn't automatically equal healthy. | | | | you're prepared with a supply of nutritious snacks, |
| Go for recipes with lots of beans, peas, lentils, and | | | | minus the preservatives, fat, sugar and other |
| veggies, and not too much cheese or creamy | | | | nasties. |
| sauces. | | | | #8 Cook healthy meals in bulk |
| #3 Shop locally and seasonally | | | | Try to set aside a day each month to cook large |
| If you choose produce that is grown locally you | | | | portions of your family favourites, such as soups, |
| won't be paying to transport it across the | | | | stews, or casseroles. You can then re-portion into |
| country, and the food will be much more | | | | smaller servings, pop in the freezer, and they'll be |
| nutritious having travelled only a short distance. | | | | ready for those nights when you don't want to |
| You will also be supporting your local economy, | | | | cook. |
| which is an added bonus. | | | | Cooking in this way is also more cost effective |
| Try to choose fruits and vegetables that are in | | | | because when you purchase larger packs of |
| season, as these will be cheaper. | | | | staples and meats, you can often get a really |
| #4 Don't buy impulsively | | | | good deal. |
| When you get to the grocery store stick to the | | | | |