One of the biggest challenges for any of my clients female or male that has a family is how to incorporate healthy eating in to the family household AND how to do it all on a budget.

Here are my 5 steps to healthy shopping for a family whilst watching the pennies.

Step 1 – Weekly Meal Plan and Shopping List

This brilliantly simple tool is going to save you £££ whilst reducing the total food leftover at the end of the week.

Sitting down on a Sunday evening and planning your family teas for the week ahead will enable you to write a shopping list packed full of the foods you will need, this will prevent the usual supermarket sweep dash around the shops throwing everything in.

Not only will this trim your shopping bill but it will also stop you buying foods that are not necessarily the healthiest for you or your family.

Step 2 – Budget

Something very few do is set and stick to a budget when it comes to food shopping.

I used to go to the shops without a list or a budget and buy what I needed (and wanted) but not necessarily think about the total amount I would spend, often my weekly food bill would be £60+.

Nowadays I set myself a budget of £40 a week and see it as a challenge to keep below it…this week it was £39.92.

The way I breakdown my budget is

Protein (meats/fish/eggs/dairy) - £20 per week

Vegetables - £10 per week

Miscellaneous - £10 per week

Step 3 – Pay in CASH

To ensure you stick to your budget leave your cards and purse at home and pay in CASH.

By only taking cash with you to the value of your budget it will ensure you stick to it…unless you’re willing to busk outside for a few extra quid that is.

Step 4 – Look for Yellow stickers

Another great way of saving money on your shopping bill is to look for yellow stickers. There seems to be a stigma associated with reduced items in supermarkets however for me…it’s the first point of call.

You can get anything from 10-90% knocked off the normal price of foods that are either close to expiry or damaged.

Your best buys here will be searching for the more expensive items on your list including meat and fish.

My tip for this would be to find out when your supermarket does their reductions and plan your shopping trip around this. I often go to the shops late at night due to this reason.

Step 5 – Cheaper Cuts

The common gripe I hear when I tell people to increase their protein intake is that meat and fish is too expensive, especially when you have a family.

My tip for this is to go for cheaper cuts or alternative meats.

Below are a few ideas on how to buy meat and fish on a budget.

Swap...

Chicken breast for Turkey steaks

Sirloin / fillet / rump steak for Bavette / flank steak

Steak mince for Turkey mince

Cod for Pollock (frozen)

Fresh Tuna / Salmon for Frozen Tuna / Salmon

Step 6 – Frozen Foods

Another money saving tip is to buy frozen foods instead of fresh. Frozen foods are not only cheaper but usually pre-prepped and just as, if not more nutritious than their fresh counterparts. I am a big fan of frozen vegetables as they last for months instead of days.

Following these 6 steps when shopping will no doubt help trim your shopping bill and perhaps your waist line too.