Fresh fruit and veg can seem expensive, especially compared to the low prices high salt/sugar/fat foods can cost. But there are ways of ensuring you get your 5 a day while remaining within budget.
DRIED FRUITS - a good option. Pick up sultanas, juicy flame raisins or dried apricots. They're ideal as snacks if you pop a few into a small Tupperware style box for when you get that mid morning slump. (In fact, you could make your own Trail Mix - dried fruits, pumpkin seeds and nuts.) I throw a small handful of sultanas into my breakfast porridge, or you could add some to your cereals. (If you're dieting, don't overdo them though as calories can mount up.)
DONT OVERLOOK CANNED FRUIT - people get a bit snobby about fruit in tins. It's perfectly good, nutritious food, and having a few tins in the pantry is a useful standby. Supermarket value ranges include mandarin or grapefruit segments or tinned peaches. You could serve them for pudding along with natural yoghurt or rice pudding (Aldi's rice pub is only 15p a tin. Bargain!). Whip up a fruit crumble or incorporate them in a homemade smoothie.
DRIED FRUITS - a good option. Pick up sultanas, juicy flame raisins or dried apricots. They're ideal as snacks if you pop a few into a small Tupperware style box for when you get that mid morning slump. (In fact, you could make your own Trail Mix - dried fruits, pumpkin seeds and nuts.) I throw a small handful of sultanas into my breakfast porridge, or you could add some to your cereals. (If you're dieting, don't overdo them though as calories can mount up.)
DONT OVERLOOK CANNED FRUIT - people get a bit snobby about fruit in tins. It's perfectly good, nutritious food, and having a few tins in the pantry is a useful standby. Supermarket value ranges include mandarin or grapefruit segments or tinned peaches. You could serve them for pudding along with natural yoghurt or rice pudding (Aldi's rice pub is only 15p a tin. Bargain!). Whip up a fruit crumble or incorporate them in a homemade smoothie.
DON'T OVERLOOK CANNED VEG - same as above, really. Everyone's happy to use canned tomatoes in recipes, but some frown on tinned carrots or potatoes. Both are useful standbys to incorporate into veggie stews. Again, buy 'em from the value range.
FROZEN VEG - if you're on a budget, the freezer's your friend. Frozen veg can work out more cost effective than fresh as you don't pay for any waste. A bag of mixed frozen veg, a stock cube, water and a handful of herbs will make a tasty, economical soup.
ALDI & LIDL SPECIAL OFFERS - both supermarkets are brilliant for offering low prices on certain fruit and veg each week. It's a good idea to grab one of their promotional booklets when you're in store. If aubergines, for eg, are going to be on special offer next week incorporate a moussaka into your menu plan. Stock up on onions or spuds when they're half price, things you'd use all the time. Remember, you can always prepare the veg and freeze it, ready for when its needed.
CHECK OUT THE REDUCED SECTION - pick up fruit and veg when they're reduced for a quick sale. Find a recipe to use them up speedily, and either eat straight away or freeze for another time. Tesco Metro and Sainsburys Local stores have such limited space they've got to shift fresh produce off shelves before tomorrow's next delivery. So take advantage of any low prices and make guacomole from avocados or muffins from bananas.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MOTHER NATURE'S BOUNTY - at the right time of the year and even in urban areas you can still find blackberries on hedgerows, windfall apples or plums.
GROW YOUR OWN - it doesn't take much effort to grow pea shoots, bean sprouts, cress, rocket or mixed salad leaves. You'll save heaps of money if you never need to buy another bag of rocket leaves from a supermarket again.
What are your best tips for getting your greens while remaining thrifty?
FROZEN VEG - if you're on a budget, the freezer's your friend. Frozen veg can work out more cost effective than fresh as you don't pay for any waste. A bag of mixed frozen veg, a stock cube, water and a handful of herbs will make a tasty, economical soup.
ALDI & LIDL SPECIAL OFFERS - both supermarkets are brilliant for offering low prices on certain fruit and veg each week. It's a good idea to grab one of their promotional booklets when you're in store. If aubergines, for eg, are going to be on special offer next week incorporate a moussaka into your menu plan. Stock up on onions or spuds when they're half price, things you'd use all the time. Remember, you can always prepare the veg and freeze it, ready for when its needed.
CHECK OUT THE REDUCED SECTION - pick up fruit and veg when they're reduced for a quick sale. Find a recipe to use them up speedily, and either eat straight away or freeze for another time. Tesco Metro and Sainsburys Local stores have such limited space they've got to shift fresh produce off shelves before tomorrow's next delivery. So take advantage of any low prices and make guacomole from avocados or muffins from bananas.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MOTHER NATURE'S BOUNTY - at the right time of the year and even in urban areas you can still find blackberries on hedgerows, windfall apples or plums.
GROW YOUR OWN - it doesn't take much effort to grow pea shoots, bean sprouts, cress, rocket or mixed salad leaves. You'll save heaps of money if you never need to buy another bag of rocket leaves from a supermarket again.
What are your best tips for getting your greens while remaining thrifty?