It is crucial that you get the best nutritional value for the money you spend, most importantly in the light of food price increases on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn across the world.

As you try hard to stretch the food budget, it is in order to purchase less for lower grades especially in the case of red meat, fish and chicken.

It is not a bad thing eating less meat as less of it also means less fat. You need to embrace a plant-based diet by including more leafy vegetables, legumes like beans, green grams, soya-based products and lentils.

It is also imperative for you to eat fruits to improve the overall quality of your diet and minimizing starchy foods and vegetables such as potatoes and other tubers. It is a good start considering meatless meals per week.

Good food budgeting begins with costing and meal planning. This will reduce the tendency of unnecessarily buying luxury items like fizzy drinks, snacks, ready-made foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Implementing this would not only save you money but also reduce the intake of sugar, fat and salt – linked to a higher risk of non-communicable illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

ALSO READ: Four good dieting habits you should introduce to your children