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7 Ways to Reduce Food Costs


Everyone has been hit by the increasing cost of living. In the UK alone inflation reached the highest in January 2022 since 1992. So, it’s no surprise that so many of us are trying to find ways to tighten the purse strings and save money where we can. 

Unfortunately, the price increase includes food. But, there are definitely things you can do to reduce the cost of your food shop and hopefully even make some savings. 

Keep tabs on your cupboards

It can be easy to hit the supermarket and forget what foods you’ve already got in to make meals out of. Not all of us have a fridge that can refill itself. So, it’s essential that you make a note of what you already have before you go shopping.

This is where you can get creative, look online to see what recipes you can create out of the foods you already have. 

Reduce meat consumption 

There has been a lot of news recently about the benefits of a plant-based diet. As well as having an impact on the plant and your health, it can also help your pockets too. Meat is one of the most expensive components of a food shop You don’t have to eliminate it completely, just try to reduce the amount you eat by swapping it with other plant-based proteins, such as:

recipe_yellow_lentil_white_bean_Kale_soup

Looking for a soup containing these meat alternative ingredients?  Check out this Yellow Lentil soup recipe


Choose frozen or tinned foods 

It’s a common myth that fresh fruit and vegetables are better for you than frozen and tinned versions. The fruit and vegetables are picked and then frozen or tinned straight away, the nutrients are locked in and last for longer than their fresh counterparts.

Plan your meals 

More often than not, people end up buying way more food than they need. If you don’t go shopping with a plan then it ends up being a free for all. You won’t know exactly what you need for certain recipes and might end up having to make a second trip to get the things you forgot.

If you plan out your meals, it makes it much easier to make an accurate shopping list and not buy more than you need. 

Keep your eyes on the prize 

Don’t get distracted by 2-4-1 and buy one get one free deals. When that big yellow sign is flashing in front of you, it can be more than tempting to throw an item in your basket that you know you don’t need. But remember, it isn’t a deal if you didn’t need it in the first place.

Don’t buy brands 

All of us can be a bit snobby when it comes to certain brands. I for one have a particular need to buy branded cereals, even though they all taste the same. But when needs must, you have to make cuts somewhere and one of the first things to go should be named brands.

You don’t have to replace all your luxuries, just one or two that can easily be replaced by similar versions. 

Cook more

If you could take one point away from this post then it’s to cook more. Microwave and oven meals might seem like cheap options, but I can guarantee that it’s almost always cheaper to cook from scratch. Plus, there’s nothing like sitting down and eating a meal that you’ve cooked yourself.

Have you got some more tips and tricks to help save money in the supermarket? Let us know and spread your money saving knowledge.


Author picture
Eryn Barber

A personal trainer and content writer, with a background writing nutrition and fitness articles. Her main passion is anything and everything to do with food. She is a keen baker and loves writing about her experiences with food. Follow her work-outs on Instagram @erynbarber.


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