10 tips for eating healthy on a budget.

Cutting down on your meat eating might be a good way to save money.

We know it can be tough to change your diet habits but try taking one day a week to tuck into other protein sources. Need a bit of inspo? Dishes with nuts, seeds, tofu, or legumes can be just as tasty and cost a fraction of the price. Still need something with that meaty taste and texture? Try a meat-free alternative like Quorn – it's often cheaper than fresh meat!

All these protein alternatives tend to have a longer shelf life than meat, meaning you'll be less likely to throw it out because it's gone bad!

It's time to get green-fingered. Seeds are super cheap to buy, and with a bit of time and patience, you could soon be growing your own veggies, saving cash, and cutting down your carbon footprint. It's definitely a lot easier if you have a large garden, but if you haven't got any outdoor space, it's not a problem; you can always use a windowsill planter and channel your inner Alan Titchmarsh indoors!

Fresh fruit and veg can cost a fortune, so it's time to start shopping smart. Frozen vegetables are cheaper, sold in bulk, and are just as healthy, if not healthier, than fresh veg. They're picked at peak ripeness when they're at their most nutritious, and you're much less likely to let them spoil and rot away as you can use what you need and keep the rest frozen.

The same can be said for canned fruit and veg too! But if you still prefer fresh produce, look out for wonky fruit and veg packs in your local supermarket – they're usually sold at a lower price due to them not looking 'perfect'. They still taste just as delicious, trust us.

With the price of gas and electricity shooting through the roof, we all need to use the oven less and look for more affordable ways to cook our meals. Did you know that microwaves, slow cookers, and air-fryers all use significantly less energy than the oven? According to the Mirror, energy supplier Utilita and frozen supermarket chain Iceland’s recent study revealed that electric cookers cost £316.54 per year to run and gas cookers cost £120.83, whereas air-fryers costs £52.74 per year and microwaves come in at the most economical at £30.02 – that’s just 8p per day!

There’s nothing more budget-friendly than a coupon or voucher. Shop smarter and search online for any promotions to make your shopping baskets cheaper. Tesco, Asda, Morrison’s, and Sainsbury’s all have their own points systems too, so be sure to take advantage of them and see how they can help you save some cash.

Switching to supermarkets’ own-label products can help you save significantly. Nearly every branded food has a generic, unbranded equivalent, and the quality is usually just as good at a much lower price.

If you’re going to swap your usual national brand for an unbranded item, double-check the ingredients on the packaging to make sure it doesn’t contain anything you could be allergic to.

We’ve all been there, walking around the supermarket and chucking anything and everything into our baskets as we go along. Biscuits? Yes. Crisps? Yes. Chocolate? Double yes. Going shopping on an empty stomach does nothing but increase your temptation to overspend on indulgent, unhealthy, processed foods. Perhaps it’s best to fill your belly before your next shopping trip to help keep your spending to a minimum.

Waste not, want not. Get more from your meals by using up your leftovers! Eat whatever’s left for your lunch the next day, or perform a spot of kitchen wizardry and magic it into a delicious burrito, soup, or stir-fry. It’s a brilliant way to cut your spending and cut down on your waste.

Just because you’re trying to eat healthily budget, you can still have a little treat now and again. Luckily, dining out on a budget is what we’re all about here at tastecard. With big-name chains like Prezzo, ASK Italian, and Manahatta, plus tons of independents, there’s 1000s of restaurants across the country cooking up some delicious, healthy grub – and with 2 for 1 across starters, mains, and desserts, dining with tastecard is budget-friendly too.

Recipe box brands are on the rise, and they all offer plenty of healthy meals for you to cook at home. You might think they're a bit on the pricey side if you're trying to eat well on a budget, but most offer introductory discounts. We offer a few recipe box brand discounts on our Member Perks platform, so sign up today and take advantage.