Eat better – for less

Households are prepared to spend more to eat better, but you don’t have to, as Sophie Elsworth discovers

HOUSEHOLDS trying to keep their waistlines in check are splashing out an additional $87 per week just so they can eat more healthily.

And about three in four Australians (77 per cent) believe they need to spend extra on more expensive food choices in order to maintain a healthier diet, new research has shown.

Insurance comparison firm Choosi’s new Modern Food Trends report, released today, has revealed households spend on average about $377 per month on groceries, about $89 eating out and $21 ordering home delivery.

But nutritional scientist Dr Joanna McMillan warned shoppers that “it doesn’t need to cost more money” to buy healthy food.

“You don’t need to be buying the latest superfoods from some remote area of the world in order to be healthy,’’ she said.

“Bear in mind the principles of a healthy diet: we don’t need to get confused by all these fads and fancy ways of eating.

“Think about the fact you want lots of freshness, lots of vegies, lots of plant foods, you can buy them either in small amounts and planning, buy inseason produce and there’s nothing wrong with frozen foods, it’s often a very costeffective way of feeding a family.”

Dr McMillan said there are simple tactics to keep the household food bill down while maintaining a balanced and healthy way of eating.

This includes buying canned food such as fish, beans and legumes, buying a whole chicken or leg of lamb and roasting it and using the remainder as leftovers and also using local grocers and farmers’ markets to snare bargains.

The report also showed only 40 per cent of people follow a strict budget when it comes to food expenses.

Choosi spokeswoman Katrina Foster said the findings also highlighted that people are more likely to eat at home – about 49 per cent have been cooking more at home in the past five years.

“On Friday nights, for example, my family and I always do takeaway but it’s only once a week,’’ she said.

She said home cooking was a growing trend which allowed people to keep their budgets and food choices in check.