SIMPLE changes to your cooking habits is one of the easiest ways to beat the cost-of-living squeeze – and following these tips could save you up to a whopping £4,000 a year.
While plenty of households struggle to find ways to cut down on their soaring bills, the kitchen may be the best place to start.
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Dr Alona Pulde, from leading nutrition app Lifesum, has offered her top tips to saving big on your cooking habits.
Her day-to-day money saving hacks could improve your health as well as your bank balance.
Dr Pulde said: “With prices rising at the fastest rate for 40 years, many are feeling stretched.
“Food and energy bills seem to be the biggest worry at the moment, but there are simple and healthy changes that can be made right now to help you save more money each month.”
SHOP IN BULK
Impulse buying in the supermarket is one of the quickest ways to rack up a hefty shopping bill.
By shopping in bulk and planning your weekly meals, you can easily stop making frivolous purchases while also preparing tasty, homemade recipes.
According to Dr Pulde, consumers can save about 25 per cent on their bills by bulk shopping.
For an average family monthly shop of £600, that is a saving of an eye-watering £1,800 a year.
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SWAP OUT THE MEAT
Meat is consistently one of the most expensive items on anyone’s grocery list.
By occasionally swapping out meat for cheaper alternatives like tofu, you may be surprised at the amazing savings you could make.
This method is also a great way to improve your health without making any drastic changes, as meat-alternatives like tofu and legumes are packed with fibre, protein and antioxidants.
They can also help to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol.
Dr Pulde estimates that replacing some of your weekly meat intake could save the average family over £350 a year.
LOAD UP
Eating cheaper doesn’t have to mean eating less.
Loading up on starchy foods like beans, lentils, potatoes, sweet potatoes and rice can keep you full on a budget – with an average 3kg bag of potatoes costing only around £1.
And starchy foods are packed with fibre, which helps to maintain weight loss and keep you fuller for longer.
CHANGE YOUR KITCHEN HABITS
With household energy prices going through the roof, making changes to how you use your kitchen appliances can make a big difference.
One of the easiest methods is simply unplugging appliances when you aren’t using them.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save about £80 each year by unplugging appliances when they are not in use.
FILL THE FREEZER
Stocking up your freezer with key ingredients is not only more affordable, it is also convenient.
It will also guarantee you have mealtime solutions when running low on fresh items – so fill up on versatile foods like soups, peas, fried rice and Sunday roast favourites.
However, circulating cold air is an energy guzzler – so keep it 75 per cent full to conserve energy by maintaining your freezer’s proper temperature.
Switching from an ice maker to ice trays can also save 20 per cent in energy use, and with the cost of running an average freezer sitting around £114 annually, this can save a cool £23 a year.
SAVE ON A CUPPA
Making multiple trips to the kettle to make cups of tea all day is a common way to add to your energy costs.
Dr Pulde suggests only filling your kettle with the water you need rather than to the top – and the same goes for boiling pasta or cooking up rice.
According to Uswitch, simply just changing the way you are using your kettle could save at least £87 a year.
But remember, this is just one appliance out of everything in your house – so you can see how these savings build up and make a huge difference to your overall bills.
USE THE MICROWAVE
Cooking food in the microwave is not only a convenient way to prepare a meal quickly, it is also a great money saver.
Microwaves use less energy and heat food faster than ovens or hobs, making them convenient for cooking leftovers or freezer meals.
According to the Microwave Association, using a microwave instead of a hob could cut a household’s energy bills by up to £5 a month, or £60 a year.
“The cost of living crisis is a top concern for everyone,” Dr Pulde added.
“Stress over inflation and personal finances has a real impact on how we live our day-to-day lives, but it doesn’t mean that our health should take the backseat.
“Implementing these food and energy hacks will not only save you money, but can help you on your journey to better health and nutrition.”
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