going shopping, need cheap, healthy ideas

donna_do_good

Hi,

I'm trying my hardest to change my lifestyle but have noticed our shopping bill going wayyyyy up. I have a two year old child, my partner and myself and I want us to eat healhty but am really struggling with healthy things that aren't to expensive, healthy and don't go off after a few days if bought fresh.

Any tips, ideas, feedback would help so much. Even how I can cut my bills would be great, like alternatives to expensive things. Also i'm in the uk so please keep that in mind if you can suggest things we get here.

Thank you so much in advance.

lil_pulp

When things are on sale, buy a lot. Freeze what you can so it will last longer. Be willing to do more prep work, so if chicken with skin is cheaper, get it and de-skin it at home. Fresh veggies--and fruit--are great, but frozen are still healthy, and often cheaper. Also, planning meals ahead of time, especially if you plan them according to the sales, can save money. Good luck!

donna_do_good

Thank you, it really is much more expensive to eat healthy, think i'm gonna buy mstly own brands and see how it goes

fhsjewfro

frozen chicken breast is cheap, you could always buy a fat beef like 73/27, and just wash out some of the fat with hot water (google for more info)

peanuts, almonds, peanut butter

fiber bars, wally world brand is $2 for a box of 5 and i think thats a hell of a deal

store brand cereal that is low sugar is something to look into as well, these days a lot of the children cereals are LOADED with sugar

and also if you know where to find cheap whey, whey is actually the cheapest protein you can get per 1g of protein anyway

donna_do_good

Thank you so much, i'll look into the whey, I use frozen chicken currenly for curry and stir frys, dunno about day to day but how it would work

donna_do_good

bumpy bump,

For new ideas please

myfitnessnmhoy

Hi,

I'm trying my hardest to change my lifestyle but have noticed our shopping bill going wayyyyy up. I have a two year old child, my partner and myself and I want us to eat healhty but am really struggling with healthy things that aren't to expensive, healthy and don't go off after a few days if bought fresh.

Any tips, ideas, feedback would help so much. Even how I can cut my bills would be great, like alternatives to expensive things. Also i'm in the uk so please keep that in mind if you can suggest things we get here.

Thank you so much in advance.

Breakfast = porridge (what we call oatmeal, but you're on the "porridge" side of the pond) and eggs.

Otherwise, basically look for what are in the US called "manager's specials" (meat that's close to its expiration date, things like that). Prepare them immediately and freeze meals from them. Now you've got your own healthy homemade "heat and eat" frozen meals.

SaraBelle0312

I do alot of (meat) loaf muffins...tuna loaf muffins, turkey loaf muffins, beef loaf muffins. You can throw veggies in it to make it healthier.
ETA: serving sizes are easier to manage that way too
that and mashed cauliflower.
veggies with EVERY meal

Mcmilligen

BUMP!

myfitnessnmhoy

Thank you, it really is much more expensive to eat healthy, think i'm gonna buy mstly own brands and see how it goes

It's more expensive to buy PREPARED foods that are healthy, since the ingredients need to be of higher quality, but with just a little prep time you can make really, REALLY cheap and healthy meals from inexpensive ingredients like chicken, rice, oats, frozen vegetables, etc.

Frozen chicken breasts are a go-to protein source for me. Cheap, convenient, easily stored, and their only real problem is they are a tad high in sodium (but nowhere NEAR as bad as a "cheap" can of chicken soup that would cost twice as much).

marinesweetheart

I just found out that a pound of ground turkey cost the same as a pound of ground beef, but of coarse turkey is a lot leaner. I used the ground turkey for taco night and it tasted even better than the beef. Also a friend of mine turned me into buying chicken breast with bone and skin and just take of the skin before cooking it and the bone when it's done. I save about $2 on each pack of about 3 lbs than if I buy it boneless skinless and to top it the breasts are huge!! lol
If you have time it's also a good idea to print coupon for things that are staples in your house like cereals and other breakfast items. Every now and then we get lucky with a coupon for "healthy" foods, but they are few and far between.
Hope I was able to help. Good luck.

SelkieDiver

Dried beans and lentils, veg/fruit only what's in season and on sale (!). At least here in the states buying chicken breast is much more expensive than buying a whole chicken and breaking it down yourself. Dark meat is higher in fat, so either limit your portion or feed it to the rest of your family. Basically if you can cook, you can save money. If you're buying prepared heat & serve type things, there goes your budget!

lisav6

Are you in the UK?

Aldi and lidl for cheap fruit and veg, also staples like dried fruits, nuts and some seeds (the seeds are mostly sold in mixed packs though)

Consider a costco card for meat, their meat is really good quality so a little goes a long way. You would have to balance out whether the cost of membership was worth it or see if you could go along with someone who is already a member.

Bulk out all of your meat meals with lentils, beans and other pulses, check out any local ethnic stores or even a large Tesco with an ethnic section for cheap large packs of lentils and beans.

We alternate our meals so we have a veggie meal one night and meat or fish the next, we never eat meat 2 nights in a row. We eat things like bean chilli's, lentil curries with home-made flat breads. We eat a lot of vegan meals too from the oh she glows website, and get yourself the river cottage veg everyday book from the library for some inspiration.

aqm22

I dont know how it is in the UK, but I know that generally (correct me if I'm wrong), fresh vegetables are cheap, especially if they're in season. I always by fruits and vegetables that are in season. I know that whole chicken and whole fish are cheaper than chicken breasts and fish fillets. I can cut up the chicken and fillet the fish. So, that save a lot of money. I can also use the bones to make stock so I don't have to buy broth.

It's expensive if you don't make the time. I swap time for money saved. It's hard, but I make it work.

Mcmilligen

I've already "bumped" this, but thought I'd respond. Here are a few super cheap things I never hesitate to grab at the store:

Tofu (people think I am a vegetarian because I never eat meat. The truth is, I never want to BUY it, because it's so pricey! I've heard you can stalk up on meat at Costco and freeze it however. I may have to do that)

Fruit/Vegetable markets: So much cheaper than the grocery store, and they're usually sooo much more fresh too! Produce is the cheapest, healthiest thing by far.

Frozen Veggies: The store brands are usually super cheap, and last well for those time when you've run out of fresh stuff.

Eggs!

Canned/Dried: Lentils, beans, tomatoes, chickpeas, tuna (there are some types that are better for you than others)

Bulk food isle: Great for nuts, oats, raisins and all that great stuff.

alyja09

I LOVE boneless skinless chicken thighs. They are so much more flavorful and half the price as breast meat. It takes marinade really well and grills deliciously.

I find that the farmer's market has fruits and veggies pretty cheap. I look at the grocer's ad online before I do my shopping and plan around it.

What I have found that helps most, though, is only go grocery shopping when you need to. I was wasting quite a bit of food by letting it go bad because I'd go to the store and buy stuff that sounded better. Don't let things go to waste, it's like throwing money away!

Good luck

donna_do_good

Thanks so much everyone,

Some great ideas there. Keep them coming please x

donna_do_good

My shopping list has been added to thanks again