Healthy eating is really expensive!

[littlejolee]

At least if you follow a lot of the ww recipes, shiitake mushrooms, filet steak, fresh fish, etc. It probably isn't really but it certainly seems that (especially with sp) that focus is really on expensive lean protein and low carb meals. Any suggestions how to eat well on a seriously tight budget? (Weekly food shop for me dp and DS is normally about £40 with shopping around)

[VagueIdeas]

I'd ignore any recipes that call for fillet steak and substitute shiitake mushrooms for bog standard ones

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

Go to Aldi for cheaper chicken breasts, tinned tuna in brine, frozen prawns and fish fillets etc. Fresh fruit and veg is cheap there too. I still need to go to Sainsburys for brown rice, pasta and 0% fat Greek yogurt as they stock those things once in a blue moon. And 5% fat minced beef. I think Aldi only does 10%.

If you get the app there are loads of recipes on there that aren't expensive honestly!

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

DH can do a weekly shop for four of us for £50-60 at Aldi. Two meat eaters and two veggies so your budget is plenty.

[littlejolee]

I already do my weekly shop in lidl (basically the same as aldi right?) And its still a stretch to eat enough lean protein, even with cheap chicken and frozen fish :/

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

Why don't you add in some veggie stuff like squash and chickpea curry or veggie chilli to your weekday meals? Tins of kidney beans or chickpeas are less than 50p each. Kidney beans, an onion, garlic, a couple of peppers and a tin of basic tomatoes is a very cheap low fat meal. As is a chickpea and spinach curry. Tins of tuna are cheap too and only a couple of smartpoints a tin.

Porridge oats and banana for breakfast and a home made veg soup for lunch. Add in a slice of basic wholemeal toast. Again both are cheap. To be honest I've not looked closely at the prices as they are massively cheaper than other places and we usually spend under £60 for the family of 4. (Then Sainsbury's brown rice etc top ups are about £30 for just a little!)

I'm going to pay attention this week!

[Drinksforeveryone]

Another vote for beans and pulses.

I find that the dried beans are significantly cheaper than canned. But, of course, need pre-soaking -so a bit of planning.

If I can buy these on the 'foods of the world' section - they are loads cheaper than the regular supermarket brand.

My local Sainsburys and Morrisons has a high Asian population - so great selection of dried beans, lentils and the rice is waaaaay cheaper. I buy a brown basmati - I think it's about £4 at most for a 2kg bag.

Dinner here this eve is ratatouille, with brown basmati. (am doing No Count today anyway).