Tips for a nourishing diet on a family budget

There’s an idea floating around out there that a healthy diet means an expensive diet.

That only those with cash to spare can afford to consistently eat well.

But guess what?

It’s not true.

Of course, there are some foods and products associated with a healthy diet that don’t come cheap. Luxuries most people on a family budget can’t afford.

And it’s true that unhealthy, processed foods are often available at incredibly low prices, don’t involve much cooking, and can be a tempting option when you’ve got so many plates spinning.

But there are countless ways for you to eat fresh, nourishing, balanced meals without breaking the bank.

If you’re organised and have plenty of budget-friendly and easy but nutritious meal ideas up your sleeve, you’d be amazed at how well you can eat for so little.

It’ll take commitment, but it’ll be worth it.

No judgement

Before we share some tips for eating well on a budget, we just wanted to remind you that no one’s perfect, and there are always going to be times when you dish up a meal that isn’t a nutritionist’s dream.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the odd dinner involving supermarket pizza or oven chips. We all love those dinners, don’t we?

Life doesn’t always go to plan and you won’t always have the time or energy to cook. That’s just a fact.

There’s absolutely no problem with eating things that could be classed as junk food now and again, just as long as it isn’t a regular habit.

As long as the majority of your diet is made up of whole, unprocessed foods, the occasional processed products won’t kill you or your family.

And if you deprive yourself of the less than healthy foods you love entirely, then you’ll probably end up resenting your healthy lifestyle.

So, just remember, no one’s judging you, and you shouldn’t judge yourself either. We’re all just doing the best we can, and we all need a night off now and again.

Now we’ve cleared that up, let’s get into some tips for keeping your whole family well fed on a budget.   

1. Plan your meals

Planning out your meals in advance can be a big saver because you only buy what you need rather than buying blindly. It also helps reduce waste.

2. Meal prep

Whenever you have time to cook, make large batches and save/freeze portions for lunches or dinners when you’re pressed for time, so you don’t turn to ready meals.

Even if you just make one extra portion for lunch the next day, you’re still saving money.

3. Focus on whole foods

The fewer processed foods your diet contains the better. Try and buy ingredients in as natural a state as possible. They’re usually far cheaper, and that means you know exactly what’s going into your meals.

4. Buy products in bulk

Certain foods can be expensive if you buy them in small quantities, but far more reasonable if you buy them in bulk. A great example is peanut butter - a good source of protein and energy that’s far less expensive in big kilo tubs. 

Even inexpensive products like pasta, rice, or oats can work out far cheaper if you buy them in large quantities.

5. Buy dried pulses

Good quality meat from happy, well-treated animals can be very expensive, so try and reduce your consumption of meat wherever you can.

Focus instead on vegetable proteins. Try buying dried chickpeas, lentils, or beans, boiling them up in batches, and keeping them in the freezer ready to chuck them into meals for an extra protein hit whenever you need it.

6. Stock up on fruit and veg at a local market

Rather than going to the supermarket, make a habit of stocking up at a local market. Take advantage of deals and focus on seasonal produce, as it always works out cheaper.

If you struggle to remember what’s in season when, try keeping a list of what’s in season on your fridge so you can check it out whenever you’re writing a shopping list.

7. Buy frozen

Fresh fruit and veg are ideal, but they can lead to wastage. So make sure that you only buy the fresh produce you know you’re going to use (hello meal planning!) and then have a stock of frozen fruit and veg as a backup.

Fill yourself and your family up on natural, whole foods. You’ll all be bursting with energy, and your bank balance will thank you for it.