Five tips for creating tasty and nutritious meals on a tight budget
1. Use what you have in your cupboard or fridge.
Before buying new ingredients, check what is in your cupboard or fridge. When you keep shopping without taking stock of what you already have, not only will you waste money, but you will end up with goods that expire and become vrot before you have had the chance to use it, says Chef Lungi.
2. Meal and menu planning.
This is probably the best advice I can offer! When you plan your meals, you are able to get an idea of what it is that you are going to be cooking. You can plan weekly or monthly. If you are not sure where to start with your planning and, for inspiration, you can visit the Knorr What’s for Dinner; website or the Facebook page.
3. Have a grocery list.
We can’t emphasise the importance of having a grocery list before you go shopping enough. The list not only helps you to stick to the meals that you have planned, but most importantly, you’ll be able to calculate how much you will be spending before you head out to the shops. As old school as it sounds, a good old pen and paper will do the trick for this one, advises Mashile.
4. Substitute ingredients.
Substituting ingredients helps to keep within your budget when you come across items that are a little more expensive than what you can afford. Substitute with ingredients that you like, items that are in season, that are cheaper and most importantly, similar in flavour and texture. Don’t ever think that you can’t recreate a recipe because it’s not within your price range, adds Lungi.
5. Use your loyalty cards.
There’s never been a better time to take advantage of that additional 10 or 20% afslag. Every cent counts. While it may take some time to build enough points with individual retailers, others offer instant discounts when you produce your card.