Life during the pandemic has been turned upside down for all of us. What used to be easy chores are now challenging to get through. The restrictions, lockdowns, fear of infections, struggling finances are all wearing on us.
Some days, putting food on the table is in itself a major challenge. Yes, you can order take-out or prepared meals from the supermarket. Even grocery bills are piling on high – whoever said we have low inflation?
The costs are quickly adding up, and families across the world are feeling the pinch. With personal finances strained, could there be an alternative to expensive dining habits that won’t break the bank?
Well, the good news is, we are all literally in this struggle together. The struggle is real. Luckily, there are options for budget-friendly meals out there.
We have also put together some tips on preparing a budget-friendly meal for your family every day!
Necessary Steps you Need to Follow for a Budget-Friendly Meal
There are a few critical (but easy) steps you need to follow to avoid spending too much on food.
1. Tackle your Pantry and Freezer
When stocking up your pantry, go for canned goods because they stay longer and are very easy to organize, leaving a lot of room for other goodies!
Make sure to note down the ingredients you have on an inventory list to keep track of what’s being used and what needs to be restocked soon. Be sure to note down the expiry dates in the list to avoid food waste.
Clean up your freezer, throw out anything that is too old. Start using frozen vegetables; they are as good as fresh vegetables. They have the same nutrient contents for a fraction of the price.
Moreover, frozen and canned vegetables would leave out a lot of space after stocking, so more room to stock other products.
2. Have a Specific Meal Schedule
The unexpected pandemic byproduct has been our expanding waistlines. With gyms and aerobic classes closed for a long time and physical activities down during the dreadful winter months, we have collectively put on weight from all the take-out lounging sessions.
Pandemic stress is a big contributing factor as our bodies are naturally storing much of the calories we consume.
To avoid gaining unnecessary weight, you need to have a specific schedule for having your meal, eat mindfully, and avoid grazing on food all day.
Try having your breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a specific time to avoid munching on food and snacks all day. This will help you spend less on food and also help you to keep your weight in check.
3. Family-time During Meal Prep
While preparing meals, try to involve your kids in the task. Give them a job or two, like dishwashing or setting up the table, or clean up.
Aside from the amazing bonding experiences, this joint effort will create, getting the family to help out cuts down your workload and time spent in the kitchen prepping meals.
Most importantly, it’s a great way to spend time with your family.
While you are at it, you can discuss meals and what they want to eat for the rest of the week. This way, you can keep track of the ingredients you would need for at least a week.
4. Tidy up As Soon As you are Done with your Meal
One of the main reasons to clean up right away after a meal is to avoid eating in between meals, as it’ll keep you busy, and you wouldn’t want to eat again and clean all over again. This will also ensure your kitchen remains clean and decluttered. Moreover…
Continue reading the article and learn more about budget friendly meals on Daisy Linden’s blog.