STRETCH A DOLLAR, NOT YOUR WAISTLINE THIS WINTER! WORDS HEIDI JENNINGS | IMAGES BRYDIE THOMPSON
Who’s familiar with that big gasp of air when you sneak a peek at the screen at the supermarket checkout? When your eyes dart between the price and the two bags of groceries you have purchased, and you struggle to reconcile the two? When the cost of a head of broccoli is the same as a whole Domino’s pizza?
The skyrocketing cost of food is creating pain in our back pockets, and it’s unlikely to change anytime soon. Now is a good time to take stock and reassess some of our current habits around food and how we can get more bang for our buck, while preserving great health. Sure, you might be able to buy a pizza for five dollars, but the trade-off will be poor health that will cost more in the long run. So what are some of the areas we can look at to save money on food without compromising our wellbeing? Firstly, a strategy up your sleeve is a must. Meal planning and shopping in bulk for a week or two is an excellent way to prevent spending on non-essential extras that miraculously fall into the trolley when you pop into the supermarket for ‘just a couple of things’ and will prevent food going to waste. Meal prep on the weekends, such as cooking up a batch of rice or chopping vegetables in advance for meals during the week will not only save time but will also use up food before it goes bad. Cook enough to freeze portions for future use so you always have something on hand when you can’t or don’t want to cook (and so you don’t end up buying takeaways!). Cooking enough dinner for lunch the next day is also a great money-saver. Winter favourites such as casseroles, soups and stews are very filling, go a long way and are inexpensive to make, so be sure to include plenty of these healthy options in your meal plan. Buying local and seasonal fresh produce is cheaper than something imported from the other side of the world. Co-ops and farmer’s markets are great for organic and inexpensive fresh produce. If you’re on a tight budget, prioritise leafy green vegetables because they offer the best health benefits, and always buy vegetables whole rather than pre-chopped to keep the price down. Keep your eyes peeled for special deals on fruits and vegetables that are damaged or about to go off (don’t be afraid to ask if there’s any sitting out the back of the shop!) and freeze for smoothies, homemade ice cream, or soup. Growing your own produce is ideal to save money, but if this isn’t possible, see if you can find friends or neighbours who are happy to offload their excess bounty.
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