The Healthy Eating Trap
Wellness content often suggests that healthy eating requires a grocery bill that registers as a financial shock. This is, almost entirely, nonsense.
The foundations of a healthy diet are remarkably affordable. Beans, lentils, wholegrains, and eggs are among the most nutritionally dense foods available, and they are also consistently among the cheapest.
The Affordable Nutrition Powerhouses
These are the ingredients where nutritional value and cost efficiency overlap:
- Dried pulses and legumes: lentils and black beans are high in fibre and rich in minerals.
- Eggs: Complete protein and healthy fats. One of the most versatile ingredients.
- Tinned oily fish: Sardines and mackerel are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Seasonal vegetables: Cheaper, fresher, and more nutritious than imports.
- Wholegrains: Oats and brown rice are sustaining and affordable.
Strategies That Actually Save Money
Buy Whole and Prep Yourself
Pre-cut and pre-washed food carries a significant premium. A whole chicken yields multiple meals for less than a pack of breasts. The time investment is small; the financial saving is substantial.
Compare Price Per Serving
Always compare cost per serving rather than upfront price. A large bag of oats may look expensive but contains dozens of portions.
Batch Cooking
The per-meal cost of cooking drops dramatically when you cook larger quantities. Batch cooking is one of the highest-ROI activities in any kitchen.
The Hidden Costs: Waste and Impulse Buying
Food waste and unplanned purchasing are the two biggest drains on a household food budget. When you don't have a clear picture of what you already have, you buy things you don't need.
Tools like Frigo help close this loop by tracking what you have and surfacing recipes that use your current inventory, ensuring less food goes to waste.
Ready to reduce your food waste?
Download Frigo today and start cooking more efficiently.
