IF YOU’RE heading out to do your weekly food shop this weekend you can expect to pay a pretty penny.
Rising food prices mean a typical family of 4 now spends a shocking £628 a month on food, equivalent to £157 a week.
A pro shopper has revealed what items you should swap out of your trolley immediately[/caption]
But it needn’t be the case according to one savvy shopper.
Richard Price, professional shopper of Britsuperstore, says you can save over £1,500 a year (or £120 a month), just by making a few simple swaps on your food shop.
Swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs or drumsticks (save £431 – £575/year)
One of the easiest ways to cut costs without compromising on quality is swapping chicken breasts for thighs or drumsticks.
For example, Tesco British Chicken Breast Fillets cost £6.84 per kilo, but chicken thighs are just £2.85 per kilo, and drumsticks are even cheaper at £2.35 per kilo.
Thighs and drumsticks are not only more affordable, but they also have a richer flavour, offer more iron and zinc, and stay juicer when cooked.
Swap fresh fruit for frozen fruit (save £262/year)
Sainsbury’s fresh raspberries cost an eye-watering £13.33 per kilo, while the frozen version is only £7.86 per kilo.
You’re getting the same nutrients, but they last much longer, reducing waste. Another tip is to consider the ‘wonky’ version of fruits, sold in supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi – there’s nothing wrong with them, they’re just less perfect in appearance and much cheaper.
Swap beef mince for turkey or pork mince (save £115 – £134/year)
Ground beef is one of the most expensive meats, and I suggest switching to turkey or pork.
While Aldi’s 10% fat British Beef Mince is £6.58 per kilo, their British Turkey Mince is 7% fat at £5.38 per kilo and their British Lean Pork Mince is only £5.18 per kilo with a tiny 5% fat.
With their lower saturated fat content, turkey or pork are a healthier choice for heart health, while still being a good source of protein and B vitamins.
To stretch mince even further, I suggest substituting some of the mince for beans or lentils. Try using just 500g of mince and adding a 400g tin of mixed beans for 69p; not only will you save money, but it’ll also add fibre and reduce fat content.
Swap block butter for spreadable butter (save £43/year)
The BBC reported just this week that Butter has seen the second-highest inflation rate of all groceries over the past year – increasing by a huge 18%. But there’s an easy way to save.
Tesco British Salted Block Butter is currently £7.96 per kilo, but Tesco Butterpak Salted Spreadable is just £4.38 per kilo. The only real difference is a little added oil to make it easier to spread, but the taste and quality remain the same.
Swap ‘protein’ yoghurts for Greek yoghurt (save £163/year)
It’s easy to be sucked in by big ‘high protein’ labels on items, but they can be misleading. Take Aldi’s 0% Fat Authentic Greek Yogurt, for example, priced at £0.38 per 100g, it has a solid 10g of protein per 100g.
In contrast, the Brooklea Protein Raspberry Yogurt Pouch costs £0.45 per 100g but only provides an extra 2.5g of protein per 100g.
Swap jar seasonings for packet seasonings in the world food aisle (save £60 a year)
Spices in regular jars are expensive, but the same seasonings in the world food aisle cost far less. Tesco Ground Cumin in the spice section is 19p per 10g, while East End Ground Cumin Powder is just 12p per 10g.
The same goes for garlic powder, turmeric, and other essentials. Even better, multipurpose seasonings contain several common spices and cost as little as 11p per 10g.
Swap out pre-grated cheese and pre-cut veg (save £152 a year)
Pre-cut and grated items are a hidden expense, where you pay a huge amount more, just for the convenience.
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
For example, Tesco’s British Mature Grated Cheddar Cheese costs £11 per kilo, but buying a block of Tesco British Mature Cheddar Cheese is only £8 per kilo. Similarly, Tesco Carrot Batons are £3.12 per kilo, but loose carrots cost just 69p per kilo.
Swap out pre-made burgers (save £33 a year)
A four-pack of Sainsbury’s Quarter Pounder British Beef Burgers costs £7.16 per kilo, while a 500g pack of Sainsbury’s British 20% Fat Beef Mince costs just £5.80 per kilo.
Making your own burgers takes minutes; simply shape the mince into patties, season, and cook for 5 minutes on each side. You’ll get better quality and save money.
Swap out hummus and make it yourself (save £54 a year)
Homemade hummus is a simple and cheaper alternative to store-bought. A 200g tub of hummus costs £1.40 at Sainsbury’s, increasing to £2.50 for the popular Sabra dip. But, a 400g tin of chickpeas is just 49p.
Blend it with garlic, cumin, olive oil, and lemon juice (ingredients you likely already have at home) and you’ll make double the amount for half the price.
Swap out oven pizza for a homemade pizza (save £57 a year)
Instead of buying a frozen pizza, try making your own using a pack of four Village Bakery Greek Style Flame Baked Flatbreads (£1.49) or Village Bakery Soft White Pittas (8p each!), Cucina Tomato Purée (£0.59), and Everyday Essentials Grated Cheddar Cheese (£2.99 for 500g).
You’ll have enough ingredients to make at least four pizzas, and you’ll avoid the preservatives.
