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Talk to us 0300 365 3100
Talk to us 0300 365 3100
With children on school holidays (or soon to be) the costs of extra snacks and meals mean more pressure on your weekly food costs.
So, here are a few reminders about how you can feed your family without busting your budget.
1. Always plan your meals ahead
One of the best ways to save money is to plan your meals for the week ahead before you head to the supermarket.
Making a list of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks can help you buy only what you need and avoid spur of the moment splurges.
Try to plan meals using similar ingredients, for example many dishes can go with rice, and check your cupboards and fridge to use up what you already have.
For meal planning ideas and printable shopping lists, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.
2. Cook, save, reuse
Eating out or ordering takeaways can quickly eat into your budget. Cooking at home is cheaper and healthier.
Simple recipes like pasta, homemade soup, or casseroles can feed the whole family without costing a lot.
And, you can turn leftovers into a lunch for the next day or freeze it for later.
Find easy and budget-friendly recipes on the BBC website at www.bbcgoodfood.com.
3. Look for discounts
The major supermarkets usually have a time of day or week when they mark food down. If it’s close to or on (but not after) its sell-by date, you can freeze such food. Find out when they usually do that and plan your shopping trip to coincide with it.
Local markets often have fresh fruit and vegetables at lower prices than supermarkets. Also, buy seasonal produce - summer fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes are usually cheaper and taste better when in season.
Look out for discounts and special offer coupons. And, if you haven’t done it already, join your supermarket’s loyalty programme.
If you’re not sure which foods are in season, see The National Trust’s useful guide at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/gardening-tips/guide-to-seasonal-food.
4. Make snacks at home
Consider, making your own snacks at home. Simple ideas include fruit slices, homemade popcorn, or vegetable sticks with a dip are cheap, healthy and filling.
You can make your own drinks too. Instead of buying juices or fizzy drinks, try infusing water with slices of lemon, cucumber, or fresh mint. And you can turn all of these ideas into fun summer activities, which the whole family can take part in.
Lots of healthy snack ideas can be found on the NHS Healthier Families website at www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/food-facts/healthier-snacks.
5. Food charities and apps
If you’re finding it tough to stretch your food budget, there are charities and smartphone applications that you can turn to for help:
Visit www.habinteg.org.uk/food for more information.
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