Save hundreds on dinner with this dietician's $2 trick at Coles and Woolworths!
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With the cost of living crisis hitting many households hard, savvy shopping has become more important than ever.
With grocery bills climbing, it's essential to find ways to stretch the dollar without sacrificing nutrition or taste.
Fortunately, there's a dietician-approved trick that can help you whip up a cheap dinner using items from Coles and Woolworths that won't break the bank—in fact, they'll save you hundreds.
Susie Burrell, a qualified dietician, said the secret lies in seeking out affordable staples that cost $2 or less.
‘There are plenty of ways to save money at the checkout, including shopping seasonally, ditching the extra treats and snacks and waiting until foods are on sale before stocking up, but there are also plenty of affordable stapes that you can pick up for $2 or less, without compromising your nutrition,’ she said.
‘As a qualified dietician, I'm committed to making sure each meal is as healthy as possible, and these items are a surefire way to do that.’
‘Loading up the shopping trolley with these will not only improve your overall nutrient intake but will also save you literally hundreds over the course of a year.’
Here's a closer look at how you can make the most of this $2 trick and what items to add to your shopping list:
Tomato Passata
A large jar of tomato passata for $2 is a versatile and inexpensive base for various dishes, from pasta sauces to soups and casseroles.
‘Keep in the fridge once open to extend shelf life, and the added bonus of including more cooked tomato in your diet is that you will increase your intake of the antioxidant lycopene, which has powerful anti-cancer properties in the body,’ Burrell said.
Oats
At $1.90 for a 900g bag, Burrell said oats are a nutritional powerhouse that can serve as a healthy breakfast.
‘A healthy breakfast, crumb for schnitzel, an alternative to flour in baking or as a topping or crumble for deserts, whole oats have a low glycemic index, helping to keep blood glucose levels controlled after eating,’ Burrel shared.
Long Life Milk
‘Not only is long life milk convenient, meaning that you never find yourself running out of milk but nutritionally it is comparable to fresh milk with the exception of a slightly lower number of B-group vitamins,’ Burrel said.
At $1.60 a carton, stocking up during sales can lead to significant savings throughout the year.
Tinned Tuna
According to Burrel, tuna is an affordable source of high-quality protein that can be used in a variety of meals, including sandwiches, salads, and pasta bakes.
Opting for the home-brand version can save you even more, with prices as low as $1.10 per can.
Canned Beans
Lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans are all budget-friendly legume options that can reduce meal costs while adding a fibre-rich source of plant protein.
A $1 can of legumes can transform a dish, making it both nutritious and cost-effective.
Pasta
With a 500g bag of pasta retailing for as little as $1, Burrel said combining it with beans, tuna, and a little passata can create a filling meal for $10 or less without skimping on nutrition.
Frozen Veggies
‘It is a commonly held belief that when it comes to vegetables, fresh is always best, but it may come as a surprise to hear that frozen green vegetables actually retain more nutrients than fresh and are an easy add-on to many meals, including soups, stir-fries and casseroles to bump up the nutrient content for little extra cost,’ Burrell said.
Tinned Soup
Including soup in your diet is a great way to consume a concentrated source of nutrients, Burrell emphasised.
Tomato soup, for instance, is rich in antioxidants and can be made into a more satisfying meal by adding a little milk for creaminess.
In a previous story, dietitians also recommended keeping these no-prep supermarket meals on hand for those who can’t or don’t want to cook.
What are these items? Find out more by reading the story here.
Have you tried any of these tips, or do you have other budget-friendly meal ideas? Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below!
With grocery bills climbing, it's essential to find ways to stretch the dollar without sacrificing nutrition or taste.
Fortunately, there's a dietician-approved trick that can help you whip up a cheap dinner using items from Coles and Woolworths that won't break the bank—in fact, they'll save you hundreds.
Susie Burrell, a qualified dietician, said the secret lies in seeking out affordable staples that cost $2 or less.
‘There are plenty of ways to save money at the checkout, including shopping seasonally, ditching the extra treats and snacks and waiting until foods are on sale before stocking up, but there are also plenty of affordable stapes that you can pick up for $2 or less, without compromising your nutrition,’ she said.
Here’s how you can save hundreds on dinner with this $2 trick shared by a dietician. Credit: Shutterstock
‘As a qualified dietician, I'm committed to making sure each meal is as healthy as possible, and these items are a surefire way to do that.’
‘Loading up the shopping trolley with these will not only improve your overall nutrient intake but will also save you literally hundreds over the course of a year.’
Here's a closer look at how you can make the most of this $2 trick and what items to add to your shopping list:
Tomato Passata
A large jar of tomato passata for $2 is a versatile and inexpensive base for various dishes, from pasta sauces to soups and casseroles.
‘Keep in the fridge once open to extend shelf life, and the added bonus of including more cooked tomato in your diet is that you will increase your intake of the antioxidant lycopene, which has powerful anti-cancer properties in the body,’ Burrell said.
Oats
At $1.90 for a 900g bag, Burrell said oats are a nutritional powerhouse that can serve as a healthy breakfast.
‘A healthy breakfast, crumb for schnitzel, an alternative to flour in baking or as a topping or crumble for deserts, whole oats have a low glycemic index, helping to keep blood glucose levels controlled after eating,’ Burrel shared.
Long Life Milk
‘Not only is long life milk convenient, meaning that you never find yourself running out of milk but nutritionally it is comparable to fresh milk with the exception of a slightly lower number of B-group vitamins,’ Burrel said.
At $1.60 a carton, stocking up during sales can lead to significant savings throughout the year.
Tinned Tuna
According to Burrel, tuna is an affordable source of high-quality protein that can be used in a variety of meals, including sandwiches, salads, and pasta bakes.
Opting for the home-brand version can save you even more, with prices as low as $1.10 per can.
You could live a healthier life with only $2 supermarket foods. Credit: Shutterstock
Canned Beans
Lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans are all budget-friendly legume options that can reduce meal costs while adding a fibre-rich source of plant protein.
A $1 can of legumes can transform a dish, making it both nutritious and cost-effective.
Pasta
With a 500g bag of pasta retailing for as little as $1, Burrel said combining it with beans, tuna, and a little passata can create a filling meal for $10 or less without skimping on nutrition.
Frozen Veggies
‘It is a commonly held belief that when it comes to vegetables, fresh is always best, but it may come as a surprise to hear that frozen green vegetables actually retain more nutrients than fresh and are an easy add-on to many meals, including soups, stir-fries and casseroles to bump up the nutrient content for little extra cost,’ Burrell said.
Tinned Soup
Including soup in your diet is a great way to consume a concentrated source of nutrients, Burrell emphasised.
Tomato soup, for instance, is rich in antioxidants and can be made into a more satisfying meal by adding a little milk for creaminess.
In a previous story, dietitians also recommended keeping these no-prep supermarket meals on hand for those who can’t or don’t want to cook.
What are these items? Find out more by reading the story here.
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