10 TIPS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FOOD SHOP

We are a sucker for a money saving hack! With our phones glued to our hand it’s hard not to be hit with daily reminders to “EAT YOUR GREENS!” and “SHOP ORGANIC” with long recipe lists of items that are not in our cupboard…and with that comes expense $$$!

This is where our girl Grace Field has come on board to give us some handy tips on how to eat a fulfilling diet that won’t break the bank! Grace’s approach to a healthy diet & her relationship with food inspires us! She strips things back to basics & has such a positive energy that is infectious! 

Meet Grace:

“Hi, my name is Grace Field and I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian and nutritionist based in Adelaide South Australia. I am passionate about helping women have better relationships with food and their bodies. I use my online space to share simple recipes and tips to show that healthy eating can be, and should be easy. 

You are not alone in thinking the cost of your weekly shopping has skyrocketed over the past few months. Products you were buying before could be double or triple the price now. However, with a few tips and tricks so you can start saving money today while also staying healthy.”

1. Buy in bulk

Although a higher cost up front I promise you buying items in bulk (think rice, pasta and flour) is more cost effective in the long run compared to buying multiple small packets every week.

2. Choose canned or frozen

Did you know fresh produce is snap frozen right after its picked? That means frozen fruit and veg can actually have higher nutritional value than fresh at a lower cost.

3. Compare the pair

Comparing products cost per gram/ml is my favourite shopping hack! You can be very easily tricked into believing one product is cheaper than another by price tag alone but when comparing the products cost per unit it can be surprising how much money you can save.

4. Shop in Season

There is a reason why your grapes are triple the price during some parts of the year. When fruit and veg is in season it not only tastes the best but it's in peak supply so there is plenty to go around which brings down the cost. Look for which fruit and veg at on sale as your best indicator of what is in season.

5. Buy only what you need

Need 100g of feta for your next dish? Rather than purchasing a whole block which might go off in the back of your fridge, head to the deli and buy exactly what you need. This is not only better for budget and for the environment by decreasing your food waste.

6. Plan your meals

Going to the shops with a plan will prevent overspending or impulsively buying food you don't need or might not use.

7. Look before you go

Do I have flour at home already? A quick scan of the kitchen before heading to the shops will stop you from buying things you already have at home because chances are you have about 5 half used flours in the cupboard (or is that just me?)

8. Buy generic

No they might not have the cutest labels but 9/10 times when choosing the home brand version of your favourite food you are getting the exact same thing at a cheaper price.

9. Keep it simple

The less you buy the cheaper your shop will be. You can whip up some amazing meals with only a few things. Forget the recipes with a long list of ingredients and keep it simple with a few versatile items that can be turned into multiple dishes. This will also prevent you from buying items that you might only use once. 

10. Choose low cost shops

If you haven't already you need to start shopping at ALDI. You can save up to 25% of your weekly shop by switching to lower cost supermarkets like ALDI. They may not be the brand names you are familiar with but it's worth it when your shopping total is significantly less.

Take the “ughhh” out of your next grocery shop & set yourself a challenge! Make a pack with your work friends to meal prep Monday- Thursday and enjoy a pub lunch on Fridays! Life is all about balance & having fun along the way!

Do yourself a favour & follow our girl @gracefield.dietitian you won’t regret the positive energy & mouth-watering recipes she creates!

HIT SAVE on some of favs:

Chicken Satay Salad

Mediterranean Jar Salad