Healthy Eating on a Budget - Busting the Myths
Do you find healthy eating unrealistic with a tight budget? We don’t blame you! When it comes to our weekly shop, there are a few culprit myths that lead us to spend more money than we would like. Which one of these is preventing you from saving extra dollars at the supermarket?
MYTH 1: Canned and frozen foods have fewer vitamins and minerals than fresh
Canned and frozen foods are as equally nutritious as fresh if not more, as they are preserved or snap-frozen which “locks in” some nutrients. They are also convenient and budget-friendly as they keep longer if stored correctly. Just be sure to choose “no added salt” canned foods and “no added sugar” frozen fruits and veggies.
MYTH 2: Generic brands are not as nutritious
“No name” and “home brand” options are often much cheaper and just as good quality. This is especially true for products with only a few ingredients, like tinned tomatoes, canned tuna or rolled oats.
MYTH 3: Refrigerating and freezing leftovers is unsafe and will make you sick
Keeping leftovers for lunches and dinners the next day (or later!) is an easy way to reduce waste, save money and time and can definitely be safe using our top food safety guidelines:
Cool down leftovers as quickly as possible (within 2 hours), divide into individual portions and refrigerate or freeze
Use refrigerated leftovers within 2 to 4 days
Reheat food until it is steaming hot throughout
Defrost leftovers completely (either in the fridge or in the microwave) and defrost only what you intend to use within the next 24 hours
MYTH 4: Weekly ticket specials are the cheapest option
Bright yellow “specials” tickets may not always be the best bang for your buck, especially as brands pay supermarkets extra for the eye-level position on the shelf. Instead, compare the unit price to identify the best value choice (not just the cheapest). The unit price is often written as dollars per kilo, per 100g, per roll, per litre, etc.
With these myths well and truly busted, head confidently into your next grocery shop knowing you can still eat a healthy diet on a budget. To get you started, download our free Budget Shopping Guide which has our top everyday essentials for healthy eating.