How can I eat healthy on a budget?

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How can I eat healthy on a budget?
Thanks for asking. The first quarter of 2023 saw food inflation in the UK surpass 16%, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Such inflation rates hadn't been seen for 40 years. It's contributed to the ongoing cost of living crisis, and an increasing number of people are struggling to afford to buy enough food. With all that in mind, many people's number one concern right now is keeping their supermarket bill as low as possible. Regardless of how healthy what they're eating is, but there are ways of sticking to a balanced diet, even on a shoestring budget. Isn't healthy food always expensive? That's a bit of a misconception really. A lot of it is down to marketing buzzwords that food manufacturers use on their packaging to entice shoppers and in turn put their prices up. But in reality, there are often cheaper alternatives available which are just as nutritious. The tinned and frozen food aisles are a good place to start. You'd be surprised how a lot of foods retain much of their nutritional value even after being tinned. Fish, vegetables and chickpeas are good examples. Of course, there are cases where fresh options are more nutritional. But even so, when you factor in the price difference, it's worth it. One tip is to go for tins that contain food in brine or oil. Check the ingredients list and make sure there's no added sugar or salt, which come with health risks. Pulses like dried beans and lentils are also a good staple to get in your diet. They're a great source of plant protein, making them a good alternative to meat, which is expensive and should be limited for health reasons too. Pulses can also be stored for a long time without going off. When it comes to frozen food, there's definitely less risk of something going bad and having to be thrown out. It's generally cheaper than fresh produce too. Frozen fish fillets are a good option, but you should make sure that they don't have any added sources or coatings, due to the extra fat and salt those contain. Buying frozen seasonal produce also means you can enjoy your favorites all year round, without feeling guilty about the carbon footprint. Do you have any final tips?
It might seem obvious, but don't underestimate the importance of planning your meals ahead for the week. According to the British Heart Foundation, between a fifth and a quarter of the food that we buy ends up going to waste. It's worth deciding on which day you'll actually cook your meals too. If you know you've got a busy day coming up, you can prepare a double portion the day before, and not have to worry about cooking on the busy day itself. You're less likely to resort to an expensive, unhealthy takeaway.
You can adjust your shopping list based on the recipes you've got in your meal plan. For example, mix and match ingredients from different recipes to avoid buying too many different items you might not end up eating. You can also factor in items you already have at home. One final expert tip is to avoid going shopping for groceries on an empty stomach. You'll be more likely to stray from the planned list and impulse buy.
There you have it.
Now you know how to eat healthy on a budget. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.