going shopping, need cheap, healthy ideas

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.

BUMP!

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.

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.

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.