tips for healthy eating

Shopping on a budget

• Keep your food bills down by spending a few minutes each week planning out your meals and writing a shopping list. Stick to the list.
• Serve sensibly sized servings. Are you struggling with cost because recipes say they serve six but you are only getting four portions? Take a look at how much you are serving up each person and stick to the number of servings stated in the recipe or on the packet.  (Bronwyn, Canterbury)
• Put chilled water in the fridge and ice in the freezer - kids will drink it. Water is healthy and costs nothing - rather than juice which is bad for teeth.  (Azebra)
• Have a neighbourhood picnic or pot luck meal. Everyone brings a dish like mac cheese or bread or veggies and you get to know your neighbours over a variety of food. Last recession I often did this with other single parents the day before benefits were paid. It was a time food was low, but we always managed to collectively eat well. We recently had a community barbeque and got to meet new neighbors. It was great and I'm planning on doing it again soon.  (Azebra)
• Freeze surplus milk or buy extra when it's on special. It's fine to drink when defrosted.
• Making soup or a casserole? Double or triple the amount and freeze in batches to have fast food on hand for those nights when you are too tired to cook.
• Try a meatless meal once a week (Bronwyn).
• For fast, low-cost family meals check out evening meals.