I just managed to feed a family of 5 (2 adults + 3 teens) for £75 per week clean and healthy.

Fitburd

Even though hubby and I both work, Money is tight for us right now (I know its the same for a lot of households at the moment). In an effort to save money and to promote health, my hubby and kids have agreed to try and eat clean over the winter to help support me on my weight loss journey (the promise of more home cooking was a winning for in the debate). My total spend on food for the past fortnight for 5 = £150 (this included an anticipated small shop in the second week for more fruits and fresh foods). I highly recommend sitting down and actually planning meals and snacks to save money, it works for us.

I wont lie, I'm not a fantastic cook and I'm quite lazy when its come to food. It took me 18 months to get a handle on the concept of clean eating and that it's ok to eat cheese in moderation as well as fry lightly using the right fats. It's ok to eat bread and pasta and rice, just switch white for wholemeal - it costs more, but when you eat clean your body doesn't get as hungry between meals and so you don't need as much of everything else in the cupboard (that took a lot of getting used to). It's taken another 18 months to get my family behind me as I slowly stopped buy the odd product here and there. The addition of food waste collections in our areas has been helpful as it educated the kids (and us) on just how much money spent on food was going in the bin - I kid you not, if you have kids, most of your food is going to waste!

I work in things that last longer in the cupboard like wholemeal pitta bread instead of rolls for lunch (less waste = more saving, but they are cheaper to start so it's a no-brainer), and you can use them for home made pizza bases too which goes down well with the kids.
I educated myself on use by/sell by dates and foods that you should assess yourself.
I'm lucky my kids all love soup, this provide a filling and healthy low cost low calorie snack between meals
Asda butchers choice chicken breast is A grade meat at £5 per kg, the same price as Tesco Value frozen chicken fillets.
Sausages from the butchers are better quality and the same price as the supermarket without the nasty additives.
Pastries made with olive oil and milk instead of lard provide a clean, healthy and comforting filler for any meat/veg pie filling and can be made at the weekend and kept in the fridge. Cooking these things can also provide a family activity as most kids love to get involved, its a great start teaching kids to cook rather than heat food from a box/packet.

Breakfast consists of fruit, flavoured Greek yoghurt, porridge, toast and eggs,
Dinners are mainly stews/curries/chilli, all with wholemeal rice/pasta but emphasis on proteins and vegetables. A roast once a week or sliced potatoes fried lightly in olive oil to give in to the teens chip/fast food cravings. My family love Italian and Mexican foods with tomato based sauces. A good selection of herbs and spices with some added beans can switch a bolognese to a chilli in seconds so that no left over goes to waste.
Lunches are noodles with added chopped meat and some veg/pittas/wraps all with plenty of fresh fruits and berries.
Snacks are things like, rice cakes and peanut butter with cucumber, yoghurt, soup, bananas
The only thing I have found that isn't cheaper is home made cakes, but they are definitely healthier with no preservatives and the kids have all enjoyed getting involved.

This post isn't intended to preach, it's just me sharing what has worked to transition my family who all had bad eating habits because I had raised them that way (I take full responsibility). I know how hard it is to feed a family well and prepare meals when both parents work and money is still tight and that was part of my problem. For me, now that my family are behind me, I really feel I can eliminate all temptation. 2016 will be my year for weight loss success.

cityruss

Incoming!

blueboxgeek

I actually agree with most of what you say. I think cooking from scratch and trying to have proper nutritious family meals is a great thing. I just don't always jump on the whole "clean eating" bandwagon. If losing weight you can do it eating lots of kinds of foods.

But actually, if you have children and spend a lot of time together as a family, then doing what you are doing is really nice. I am trying to get us all sat down as often as possible eating meals together as a family. Trying to encourage the kids to eat more fruit and veg.

msf74

Have you watched the series "Eat Well For Less" on BBC1? I think it's available on iPlayer now.

Eating well does not have to cost the Earth as you rightly point out.

C1C2C3

Great job on encouraging healthy eating habits! You are doing what I want to do! Although I am transitioning more and more to whole foods with an emphasis on organic, it is really hard to get the cupboards cleaned out and as you mentioned not buy the odd product here and there.

Tennisskater

Thankyou for the ideas and inspiration!

jgnatca

I like the message that one can make healthy choices on a budget, with lots of fruits and vegetables. Good job!

I bet you've learned to be an efficient cook through all this, haven't you?

Here's something to try.

http://thecafesucrefarine.com/2013/08/best-ever-homemade-flour-tortillas/

TrickyDisco

Got to congratulate you, you've really got the right ideas for a permanent change to a healthier diet and it's proof that you can eat healthily on a budget. And you're teaching your kids to cook and make the right food choices at the same time .. well done! I agree about the cakes, shop-bought ones can be so cheap but, like you say, home-made ones are healthier and can be tastier too. I love pittas too, I freeze them and thaw them under a low grill when needed, I brush them with a little cold water beforehand so they plump up without drying out.