AUTHOR
NICOLE MOTT Nicole Mott is a qualified nutritionist and dietitian with an interest in promoting gut health and overall health and well-being in individuals .
PRICES ARE UP , LET ’ S GET SAVVY IN THE KITCHEN
Dietitian Nicole Mott shares her tips for coping with the rising cost of groceries
There has been plenty of media attention about rising food costs lately , and most of us have noticed a sizeable jump in our regular shopping bills . Who would have thought that the price of a humble lettuce would become a conversation piece ? Steep increases in the cost of food production and transport , as well as seasonal and environmental issues , are all playing a role in the rising cost of our weekly shop . But do we have any power against these pressures and those scary grocery bills ?
The good news is – yes – there are still ways you can stick to your budget without compromising your health and enjoyment of foods . Let ’ s get into it .
One of the best ways to keep costs down is to shop in season .
Buying produce in season usually means saving money due to lower transport costs and greater availability . But there are other upsides too - including higher quality , taste and nutritional value of in-season produce . Check out Marnie ’ s article on page 4 , for seasonal spring fruits , veggies and herbs . Have a look online for seasonal produce ideas and recipes , and be innovative and plan ahead , choosing suitable meals using seasonal produce . It ’ s also good to be flexible – if you find a particular seasonal item on special , think about updating your meal plan for the week to include it .
Opting for frozen and canned goods .
While we ’ re on the subject of seasonal produce , don ’ t forget to check out the aisles where seasons don ’ t exist – the frozen and canned food aisles ! Frozen produce is generally more affordable , offers diversity and ( surprisingly ) excellent nutritional value . Frozen fruit and veggies are also a good source of fibre , vitamins and minerals .
10 YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE