UK food help!

hollieam92
hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey everyone,

I am having a real trouble, with the income in my house, to eat properly. I was wondering what people did when on a low income?

I do the ministry of sound body burn DVD 3 days a week and also rotate with Jillian Michaels Banish fat, boost metabolism but I feel like all my hard work has been out done by the rubbish I eat.

I shop at Asda or Tesco, so any food advice would be fab!

Thanks in advance:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Asda and Tesco both have "value" or similar named cheaper varieties of most things, and Lidl and Aldi are other options for reduced cost. Buying fruit & veg at the local street market can be cheaper - especially near packing up time.

    Last night I noticed Tesco's own brand 85% cocoa chocolate was half the price of Lindt brand, for example, and Aldi and Lidl do similar both at under £1.
  • kendrafallon
    kendrafallon Posts: 1,030 Member
    Here's a link to another thread on exactly what you're asking

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/694976-food-shopping-on-a-budget-uk

    Check out the student websites for cooking on a budget.
  • hollieam92
    hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
    I was thinking about the market this morning.. Thank you :smile: Any tips for making cheap healthy meals welcome :flowerforyou:
  • vintagebrighton
    vintagebrighton Posts: 51
    It's not too bad eating healthy on a budget... you just have to plan ahead. Obviously it helps to have access to stores/markets etc but if not, you can shop online monthly for the basics and just buy fruit/milk/bread etc regularly as you need it. Buying very little to no prepared food is the cheapest thing you can do (and healthiest). Another thing is to get a breadmaker (we got ours free from freecycle) and make your own good quality bread. 40p a loaf and no *kitten* added. Cook meals in bulk and put extra into the freezer for days you don't have time/can't cook.

    I know I've made assumptions about your situation so if you give a little more info maybe we could come up with more ideas?
  • hollieam92
    hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
    Well here I go, in September I am back to college 3 days a week, so packed lunches. I will then have to cook for me, my fussy 3 year old and my partner - who doesn't normally get home till 9 o'clock at night, so something that can be re heated without giving him something to moan about!

    I lost weight and have now put it all back on and just really want to sort out healthy meals for us all.

    I spend £40 a week on shopping at the minute and it seriously is normally all crap and frozen.. So i Just want ideas that will be nice and healthy.

    :flowerforyou:
  • DeTaart
    DeTaart Posts: 93 Member
    If you're going to be reheating try lots of one pot stews, lentils, curries, casseroles can all be made cheaply. Stock up on canned beans!
    Going (mostly) vegetarian is a cheaper and healthier way to feed your family. Vegetarian kids are much less likely to be overweight, develop diabetes or get cancer. It's that simple.

    I really sympathise with your situation. Healthy foods can be cheap, but having to constantly consider budget is so so difficult. Healthy eating just IS easier when you can treat yourself to fancy pre-prepped veg, exotic fruits and pret salads. But that shouldn't stop you, plenty of people do it cheaply (and lots are here!). Best of luck!
  • hollieam92
    hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
    Thanks DeTaart!:flowerforyou:

    I would love to have the cash to spend but I know I don't and now I am kinda wishing someone could just write my shopping list for me haha!

    Anyone got any recipes that I can make to freeze and re-heat?

    Again any help sooo appreciated!:flowerforyou:
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    how much can you budget for food per day ? what do you like eating ?
  • hollieam92
    hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
    well its £40 a week.

    We eat anything, its hard with the little one and veg - they don't have a good relationship ha! Me and my other half will eat anything.
  • debbie389
    debbie389 Posts: 291 Member
    If you buy a large pack of mince beef, you could split the pack and make some bolognaise with half of it, and possibly chilli with the other half. Both are easily freezable and can be reheated. Great with pasta, rice or baked potatoes.

    I used to shop in Asda, but found shopping was getting more and more expensive. I now shop in Aldi and everything is so much cheaper. I don't usually go over £40 a week, and that includes cleaning stuff as well.

    :smile:
  • Katy_V
    Katy_V Posts: 43 Member
    Hey Hollie, I am in a similar position! Do you have a slow cooker? It's not essential (a big pan would do), but I find mine really handy for eating on a budget because I can make huge batches of curries, bolognese or chilli. If you don't have one you could always check out freecycle.com, perhaps someone in your area is giving one away?
    For me & hubby, for lunches for work I make stews - really simple, any veg you want, some lentils and add some bouillon (a stock) - serve it with warm bread and it's lovely. As deTaart said, stock up on chickpeas etc, they beef up soups and stews and really make a dish go further.

    Would your family go for a chilli? it's a crowd pleaser (or it is in my house anyway :laugh: )
  • hollieam92
    hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
    Wow debbie thats awesome - I normally budget £50 for when I am doing my cleaning products!

    Thanks I will buy mince and do that! :smile:
  • hollieam92
    hollieam92 Posts: 197 Member
    Lets just say Katy any food will go down with the boyfriend but its feeding the toddler the difficult section ha!

    I love the idea of bulk making stews and casseroles, and freezing!
  • SouthernSkylark
    SouthernSkylark Posts: 128 Member
    try mysupermarket, it is a great comparison website and it offers suggestions for alternatives that could be cheaper and also you can compare prices of your local supermarkets.

    we are on a fairly strict budget and once a month I have a day where I bulk cook things like lasagne, shepherds pies, chillis, curries etc and then freeze them down in portions. I bulk out meals with chick peas, lentils etc

    xx
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