3 Tips for Eating Well Through Winter on a Budget
Winter for many of us is a time of cosy memories spent snuggled on the couch watching movies all weekend with our loved ones, indulging in nutrient-rich comfort food to fight off any potential colds and flus that might come our way. For others, however, it can be a time of struggle, isolation and loneliness as families and individuals worry over how they are going to put food on the table with the increased expense of heating their home during the colder months.
We have prepared a few helpful things that can help you to keep costs down during winter, but also fuel your body with quality nutrient-filled food during the cooler months.
Plan your meals
Families and elderly particularly struggle the most to put healthy, quality food on the table as cost of living continues to rise. By planning the meals you are going to make for each day of the week and buying only the ingredients for those meals, will ensure you do not buy unnecessary items when completing your weekly shop. Not only can you have leftovers for lunch the next day, but you can also plan what the kids are going to have in their lunch box.
Keep it simple. Bake snacks at home instead of buying them – like this homemade muesli bar. Not only are these better for you, but it will keep the cost down of buying expensive packaged snack foods. There’s nothing wrong with a nutritious sandwich, fruit and homemade baking for the kids’ lunch. In fact, they will love it.
So write a list, check it twice – keep that coin in your back pocket. Every cent counts.
Shop Local
You can’t beat locally grown and made produce. Not only a lot of the time are they free from the typical pesticide sprays found in regular supermarket produce, they are always cheaper and the quality is often far nicer. You also can enjoy the added benefit of giving back to your community by supporting local businesses.
On a Saturday morning, take the family down to the local markets or produce store and see what amazing bargains you can find.
Shop Seasonal
Seasonal produce is generally a lot cheaper than out of season produce, which is usually imported or grown in greenhouses over winter. Not only is the is shopping seasonally cheaper, it comes with a lot of other perks.
One of the most salient benefits of eating seasonally and locally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint by supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. In tandem with environmental balance, you will be nourishing your body with a saturation of vital minerals and untouched natural flavours and colours. Seasonal produce is harvested at its peak, meaning it retains its full nutrient and vitamin content. As it has been left to naturally ripen in the ground or on the vine, it will have a more complex and rich flavour.
If you are struggling for ideas this winter. Or even check out Countdown’s Fresh Winter Recipes or Food in a Minute’s Winter Weeknights for perfect seasonal meal ideas the whole family will love.
