Life has become expensive. Very expensive. It is estimated that 69 per cent of us are concerned about money, and the cost of living is taking a toll on our wellbeing. Going to the supermarket is enough to raise your blood pressure and working out how to prioritise your spending can be really stressful.
The question is, how do we balance the compromises we need to make when it comes to spending with the importance of eating well and nourishing our bodies with good food?
Having a varied diet, primarily based on plants, with healthy fats and minimal amounts of highly processed foods is ideal to support mental and physical wellbeing. Having plenty of fruits and vegetables, for example, supports a healthy gut microbiome, reduces the risk of depression and protects against chronic diseases.
1 : Make a recipe with tofu
Tofu is a great source of protein and a surprisingly good way to get calcium too! It is really affordable and very versatile.
2: Add pulses, eg, lentils, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans to a mince or meat dish
Pulses are super affordable and incredibly nutritious! They are packed with fibre, low GI and a good way to get protein without costing a fortune.
Check out these delicious ideas with pulses:
3 : Make a batch of homemade slaw for a week of healthy eating
Cabbage and carrots are often cheap to make the base for homemade slaw you can have with lunch and add to dinner all week! Store shredded cabbage and grated carrot separately in food bags or containers with a few sheets of paper towel in each to maximise the shelf life. Mix together before serving or packing your lunch for the day.
Check out these great ways with slaw
4 : Bring your own snacks to work, or take prepared snacks out with you at the weekend
Prepacked snacks are expensive and the packaging is often not the best for the planet either, so making your own for the weekdays and weekends is a great idea.
Select BAKING or SNACKS AND LIGHT MEALS under the Meals tab here for ideas
5: Have oats for breakfast
Oats are only 20c for ½ cup – super cheap and very nutritious! If you like a hot breakfast, go for porridge, if you prefer cold, try overnight oats.
Check out these ideas with oats:
6: Do a batch of baking
Time to get the wooden spoon out! Why not make a batch of healthy homemade muffins or a slice for morning snacks or lunch box fillers?
Select BAKING under the Meals tab here for ideas
7: Make extra dinner and take it for lunch
Commit to taking leftovers for lunch to save time and money.
Check out these ideas which work well for dinner and lunch
8: Make a meal using lentils
You can make a meal from lentils that is super tasty, like this Lentil, Pumpkin and Spinach Rice
Select LENTILS under the Ingredients tab here for more recipes
9: Sort out your fridge and pantry
One way to save money is to reduce food waste!
Set a date to go through this checklist for a healthy fridge & pantry to help reduce waste.
10: Have a meal with mussels
Mussels are incredibly nutritious; they’re a great way to get protein, iron, zinc, omega 3, selenium and more! (If you are vegetarian or don’t eat seafood, go for another egg, tofu or pulse-based meal.)
Select MUSSELS under the Ingredients tab here for ideas with mussels
11: Explore the frozen veggie section and try something you haven’t had before
Edamame beans? Frozen spinach? Mixed stir fry? There is a huge range of available.
Here are 10 clever ways to use frozen vegetables
12: Have an egg-based meal for dinner!
They are so good for you and really versatile – omelettes, frittatas, tarts… the options are endless!
Check out this egg inspired recipe collection here