Day to Day Savings

How to buy quality low-cost food

Buying quality food doesn't have to break the bank. Staying healthy on a budget takes some planning, but it isn't impossible.

 - 6 Min Read
Last updated and fact checked:
How to buy quality low-cost food
  • You can buy healthy, high-quality food on a budget if you are willing to adjust your shopping habits
  • Stock up on staples like lentils, chickpeas, and brown rice to make filling meals; they cost the same as filling carbs like bread and pasta but are a lot better for you and, in some cases, last longer
  • Buy frozen; whether it's fruit, veg, meat, or fish, raid the frozen section to bag bargains that'll cost you a fraction of the price of fresh food
  • Switch to home brand items; you will instantly see a 50% saving across most items

Quality low-cost food: FAQs

  • How can I buy cheap healthy food?

    Cheap food doesn't have to be unhealthy. Swap the simple carbs for healthier options that are filling and don't break the bank. Stick to legumes like lentils and chickpeas for filling additions to any meal. Ditch bread and white rice in favour of brown rice, which costs the same but is rich in fibre and far more nutritious. Buy tinned fish if you can't afford fresh. Stock up on these healthy store cupboard essentials that won't break the bank.

  • How can I save on branded food?

    If you like the occasional branded food item but can't justify the price, you have two options. Figure out when the yellow sticker reductions happen in your local supermarket and get there early to bag bargains or use services like Low Price Foods Ltd. to buy heavily discounted food close to its best before date. Just make sure you don't buy so much; it ends up going off before you can eat it.

  • How can I buy cheap fruit and veg?

    Fruit and veg are critical parts of a healthy diet. But you don't have to shell out for expensive fresh veg that's only going to go bad in a few days. Instead, buy your fruit and veg frozen. They're just as good for you and cost a fraction of the price, helping you save money.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Pension Times. Commissions do not affect our writers’ or editors’ opinions or evaluations. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Households are struggling to afford essentials as the cost of living crisis is pushing food prices up. Inflation rose to 5.5% in February 2022 and, at the time of writing, is at its highest since March 1992. Prices will continue to soar in the coming year, and families will need to spend an additional £700 on bills this year. 

Against this backdrop, many households will have to budget carefully to make ends meet. Skipping meals isn't an option, and you shouldn't have to compromise on the quality of the food you buy, either. 

Luckily, buying quality food doesn't have to break the bank. You can continue eating healthy, nutritious meals even if you need to adjust your spending. 

Here is how. 

Shop healthy staples 

Fruit and veg, fresh cuts of meat, fish, and some oils make for a healthy diet. But cheap food like white bread, crisps, chips, and pasta tends to be more filling and quicker to consume. Still, there are ways to buy affordable, healthy options that keep you full without breaking the bank. 

Healthy staples are also often non-perishable, meaning you can keep them longer and reduce food waste. 

Here are some examples to consider: 

  • Brown rice is more nutritious and higher in fibre than white rice and costs about the same. 
  • Legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans are high in protein and fibre and will make you feel fuller quicker. 
  • Canned fish like tuna gives you all the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids without shelling out for expensive fresh fish like salmon.
  • Whole grains like oats and barley make for a nutritious breakfast and can even reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease; unlike bread, they're also non-perishable. 

From lentils to tinned fish, these store cupboard essentials are healthy, high-quality items that last a while and don't break the bank.

Raid the frozen aisle 

Frozen fish, meat, and veg are just as good for you as fresh options but are often much cheaper and last longer. And, frozen fruit and veg tend to be prepped for you, so you don't need to worry about peeling or chopping anything before you start cooking. 

For instance, while a frozen vegetable floret mix will set you back £1.15 per kilo in a popular supermarket, a similar fresh veg mix costs more than three times that amount at £3.97 per kilo. 

Modern freezing methods mean there are no chemicals involved in the process and, in fact, as fruit and veg are frozen soon after picking, they will preserve all their minerals and vitamins. 

If you have a big freezer, stocking up on frozen food is a great way to save while buying quality food that is just as good for you as fresh food. 

Shop Reduced 

Yellow sticker reductions are a great way to grab a budget-friendly bargain. Most major supermarkets offer reductions at least once a day. These are for items close to their best before or use-by date. 

This means you will need to consume them fairly quickly or freeze them immediately. 

But you can make some meaningful savings, with some supermarkets knocking off up to 75% of the original value. 

Different supermarkets and individual grocery stores within supermarket chains reduce prices at different times during the day. So it's worth speaking to a staff member at your local supermarket and heading there early to bag a bargain. 

Buy home brand items

You don't have to opt for big brand names when doing your food shop. Brand-name items aren't necessarily better quality and can cost a fortune. 

A Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate bar costs £3 or £0.83/100g at Tesco, while a similar home brand milk chocolate bar costs £1 or £0.50/100g. If you're a fan of milk chocolate, why not make a saving by opting for the home brand option? 

If you prefer crisps, a multipack of Walkers crisps will set you back £2.25, or £0.75/100g, while Tesco's own brand crisps only cost £0.43/100g. 

If you want to stock up on big brand names, you may want to try Low Price Foods Ltd. From pork scratchings and macaroni cheese to peanut butter chocolate bars, you can buy heavily discounted food items. 

The company keeps its prices low by selling products near their best before date, stressing that they are still safe to eat for a while after you receive them. Just make sure you don't bulk buy lots of snacks that go off before you can eat them

For more ideas around saving money in all aspects of your life, see our helpful guide here

Buying quality low-cost food 

You can buy quality, healthy food even if you're on a budget. Stock your store cupboard with nutritious and filling essentials like lentils, tinned fish, and brown rice instead of perishable simple carbs like bread. They're better for you and last longer. Buy frozen fruit and veg instead of fresh; it costs a fraction of the price. 

Switch to home brand options as they offer a significant saving. But if you really want branded food, shop reduced items or use services that sell items close to their best-before date at reduced rates. 

Fiona from Financially Independent Me told us: “It’s definitely possible to eat healthily on a budget. The key is to make sure you plan your meals, and not just dinner, but breakfast and lunch, too. Salads made with grains are cheap and nutritious, and keep you fuller for longer, as will a low-cost high-protein breakfast, like porridge or eggs on wholemeal toast.

"Also, the 'convenient' snacks that are generally full of sugar tend to bump up the grocery bill. If you can plan meals that supply you with slow-release energy throughout the day, you shouldn’t need to top up on unhealthy snacks. For the most part, vegetables, grains and legumes are very cost-effective and a great way to ensure you have a balance of protein and vitamins without breaking the bank. Using a meal planner template like the one I created for myself, which is available on financiallyindependent.me or on my Instagram @fi_me1, is the best way to keep you on track, reduce food waste, and manage your budget better.”

Naomi Willis from Skint Dad added: "Instead of solely shopping at supermarkets, try to shop around to get the best overall value. Stores such as B&M sell store cupboard essentials and many have a frozen range of food. Also try your high street for a greengrocer, butcher, or farm shop, for locally produced foods. Many of them can deliver."

These are just a few key things to try if you're looking to buy quality, low-cost food.

The content on https://www.pensiontimes.co.uk is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice. Should you need such advice, you should consult a financial adviser that is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Any references to products, offers, rates, and services from third parties or those advertised are served by those third parties and are subject to change. We may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on this website. We strive to write accurate and genuine reviews and articles, and all views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors. We are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide advice, to act as an authorised introducer, or to otherwise sell any financial services or products. However, we endeavour to only link to and highlight brands that are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority, and where your money will be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme should you choose to buy a product or service from that particular brand.
See More
logo