Eating well on a budget

3 min read

Some of the most nutritious foods are also the cheapest. Dried or canned beans, lentils and chickpeas are packed with protein and fibre for very little; eggs, oats, frozen vegetables and seasonal fruit all stretch a long way.

Frozen and tinned aren't second-best — frozen vegetables are picked and frozen at their peak, and tinned fish, tomatoes and beans keep for months. Buying these means less waste and a stocked cupboard for quick meals.

Cooking a bigger batch and freezing portions saves money and time, and planning a few meals around what's on offer helps you shop with a list instead of on impulse. Water and homemade coffee or tea cost a fraction of bought drinks.

You don't need special 'health foods' or supplements to eat well. This is general wellbeing information, not personalized dietary advice; a dietitian can help if you have specific needs or a tight budget to work around.