Keep your food healthy when money’s tight

• Get your farmer on
  
  If you’ve chosen the option of cooking, I’ve found that farmers’ markets are super helpful when I’m on a budget. They are a great place to pick up quality fresh produce as it’s sourced from local farmers and the best part is it’s often cheaper than the major supermarkets.
  
  Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne) is where I get my fresh fruit and vegetables, where most ingredients are priced at roughly $1 to $2 each. Crazy right? I also realised how important it is to learn how to pick fresh fruit and veggies. If I’m intending to buy food for later I pick food that’s not yet ripe, and then I choose ripe ingredients for my meals at hand. When on a budget, I tend to choose frozen meat because it’s cheaper than fresh meat, but sometimes I just ignore meat altogether to save money.
  
  A salad or a pack of fresh fruit works for me. Personally, I like grabbing a banana for breakfast and adding some broccoli to my lunch.

• Oooh, what’s in the fridge?
  
  To save myself the trouble of going on extra trips to the supermarket, my genius idea is to always use what I’ve got in the fridge. Unless they are very mouldy, I rarely throw fruit and veg out even though they might not look their best. Sometimes they are simply overripe and still edible, particularly when cooked. I remind myself to use up ingredients I already have before buying more because, who knows, an improvised meal from some remaining veggies can really save some pennies. I wouldn’t risk it with meat though. I make sure I always eat or freeze meat or chicken within its use-by date as otherwise it can make you sick.
  
  If my best friends are free, I ask any who live nearby to help cook and clean with me. This helps make the process of cooking fun, easy and enjoyable for both of us. BUT it does come with the distraction of chatting for hours and procrastinating.
  
  If you have a little more time on your hands, I’d suggest trying the meal kits delivered straight to your front door. The deals and promotions in the first couple of months can be life savers. Plus, the food is fresh and super healthy too, saving you a week of trips to the supermarket and providing you with printed recipes you can use later.

• Oooh, what’s in the fridge?
  
  To save myself the trouble of going on extra trips to the supermarket, my genius idea is to always use what I’ve got in the fridge. Unless they are very mouldy, I rarely throw fruit and veg out even though they might not look their best. Sometimes they are simply overripe and still edible, particularly when cooked. I remind myself to use up ingredients I already have before buying more because, who knows, an improvised meal from some remaining veggies can really save some pennies. I wouldn’t risk it with meat though. I make sure I always eat or freeze meat or chicken within its use-by date as otherwise it can make you sick.
  
  If my best friends are free, I ask any who live nearby to help cook and clean with me. This helps make the process of cooking fun, easy and enjoyable for both of us. BUT it does come with the distraction of chatting for hours and procrastinating.
  
  If you have a little more time on your hands, I’d suggest trying the meal kits delivered straight to your front door. The deals and promotions in the first couple of months can be life savers. Plus, the food is fresh and super healthy too, saving you a week of trips to the supermarket and providing you with printed recipes you can use later.

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• Apps, like apples, can keep the doctor away
  
  Cooking and health apps can provide multiple recipes ideas and a tracker for nutrients that records the amount of sugar, salt, carbohydrates and proteins you’ve consumed in your food over time. Some apps also allow me to note down my budget for food. I find it reminds me to be healthy and helps give me new ideas on what to cook.
  
  I also find Instagram influencers can make healthy food simple to make while inspiring me to eat well.

• Food at your feet
  
  Knowing which foods you like and adjusting your budget accordingly can be a great time saver. I learnt to understand when I’m most susceptible to wanting certain foods, so I can save up money when I’m not craving. For takeaway food, I enjoy getting out of the house and picking up the food myself.
  
  I think it’s great health-wise because I get some exercise, but I also get to save on delivery costs. Look out for free delivery promotions or handy deals and make the most of the chance to eat takeaway at a discount.

This article originally appeared on Bupa.com.au/international-community and has been published here with permission.