Here's the healthy secret to saving $150 on your grocery bill every two weeks!
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For those watching their budget, a $150 savings every fortnight would be welcome news.
But what if achieving this saving also meant you'd be eating in a healthier way that could reduce your risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers? Win-win!
According to a new study by the Healthy Communities program at Warrnambool Base Hospital, following the recommended Australian Dietary Guidelines could save the average family $150 per shopping trip.
Even better, it can be done without buying expensive healthy foods!
This research provides hope for nearly two-thirds of Aussies who aren't consuming enough vegetables. The CSIRO's recent report found that only 35 per cent of the population eats the recommended daily intake of veggies.
So, what do you have to do? It's simple! Avoid certain items like sausages, beer, wine, preserved meats, fruit juice, sweet snacks, and muesli bars when shopping.
The study compared the cost of following the recommended diet in the Australian Dietary Guidelines with what an average Australian family typically buys and eats in two weeks.
Caitlyn Hoggan, the project coordinator, pointed out that the high cost of living is often seen as the biggest obstacle to maintaining a healthy diet for the average Australian family.
She explained that even though there is a perception that healthy food costs more, their study revealed that following the Australian Dietary Guidelines actually saves money.
'It's the good old fruit and vegetables; five servings of vegetables, two servings of fruit a day,' she said.
'Those healthy wholegrains and dairy as well, we recommend eating those five food groups.'
How did they come up with the conclusion? In the Warrnambool study, two shopping carts were compared.
The first cart was filled with foods following the Australian Dietary Guidelines, which means it was healthy and included 31% fruits and vegetables, grains, lean meats, dairy products, and olive oil.
The second cart represented what an average Australian family typically buys. It had only 13 per cent fruits and vegetables, along with common staples. It also contained less healthy items like butter, sugary drinks, desserts, processed meats, convenience meals, fast food, wine, and beer.
The result: the healthy cart was around $150 cheaper every two weeks, which adds up to $3,900 annually.
Ms Hoggan acknowledged that following the recommended diet can be challenging: 'We're absolutely not saying that to be able to eat this way all the time is easy.'
However, she added that even making small changes, such as increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, can positively impact your health.
For those looking to make healthier and more affordable choices, Ms Hoggan suggested starting with small steps, such as meal planning, and attempting to recreate more nutritious versions of takeaway meals at home.
With careful planning and a few simple dietary swaps, you can effortlessly align your eating habits with recommended guidelines without straining your budget. It's surprising how economical choices can be so beneficial for your health.
Members, we're eager to hear if you have any more insightful tips and advice on maintaining a healthy diet while trimming your grocery expenses. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us in the comments below!
But what if achieving this saving also meant you'd be eating in a healthier way that could reduce your risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers? Win-win!
According to a new study by the Healthy Communities program at Warrnambool Base Hospital, following the recommended Australian Dietary Guidelines could save the average family $150 per shopping trip.
Even better, it can be done without buying expensive healthy foods!
This research provides hope for nearly two-thirds of Aussies who aren't consuming enough vegetables. The CSIRO's recent report found that only 35 per cent of the population eats the recommended daily intake of veggies.
There's a perception that healthy food costs more, but it can save you money, research finds. Credit: Pexels.
So, what do you have to do? It's simple! Avoid certain items like sausages, beer, wine, preserved meats, fruit juice, sweet snacks, and muesli bars when shopping.
The study compared the cost of following the recommended diet in the Australian Dietary Guidelines with what an average Australian family typically buys and eats in two weeks.
Caitlyn Hoggan, the project coordinator, pointed out that the high cost of living is often seen as the biggest obstacle to maintaining a healthy diet for the average Australian family.
She explained that even though there is a perception that healthy food costs more, their study revealed that following the Australian Dietary Guidelines actually saves money.
'It's the good old fruit and vegetables; five servings of vegetables, two servings of fruit a day,' she said.
'Those healthy wholegrains and dairy as well, we recommend eating those five food groups.'
How did they come up with the conclusion? In the Warrnambool study, two shopping carts were compared.
The first cart was filled with foods following the Australian Dietary Guidelines, which means it was healthy and included 31% fruits and vegetables, grains, lean meats, dairy products, and olive oil.
The second cart represented what an average Australian family typically buys. It had only 13 per cent fruits and vegetables, along with common staples. It also contained less healthy items like butter, sugary drinks, desserts, processed meats, convenience meals, fast food, wine, and beer.
The result: the healthy cart was around $150 cheaper every two weeks, which adds up to $3,900 annually.
Ms Hoggan acknowledged that following the recommended diet can be challenging: 'We're absolutely not saying that to be able to eat this way all the time is easy.'
However, she added that even making small changes, such as increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, can positively impact your health.
For those looking to make healthier and more affordable choices, Ms Hoggan suggested starting with small steps, such as meal planning, and attempting to recreate more nutritious versions of takeaway meals at home.
With careful planning and a few simple dietary swaps, you can effortlessly align your eating habits with recommended guidelines without straining your budget. It's surprising how economical choices can be so beneficial for your health.
Members, we're eager to hear if you have any more insightful tips and advice on maintaining a healthy diet while trimming your grocery expenses. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with us in the comments below!
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