Food costs have skyrocketed, causing widespread concern among Nigerian people.
The ongoing increase in the cost of living, particularly food prices, has put a pressure on household finances, budgets, and availability to inexpensive and nutritious meals.
Despite these problems, there are practical strategies to help overcome financial barriers while still obtaining nutritious eating selections.
1. Plan ahead
Planning and budgeting are effective ways to save both time and money.
Creating a budget specifically for food is critical in managing food expenses. You can allocate finances depending on income and expenses, as well as prioritise specific food products, to avoid overpaying.
You can also create a meal plan. Making a weekly or monthly meal plan will help you ensure that you only buy food that you will need, lowering costs and reducing food waste.
Don’t forget to compare prices. Comparing costs at various stores allows you to find the best deals on food goods.
2. Buy in bulk
In today’s economy, the concept of buying food in bulk may appear daunting due to the cost involved.
However, purchasing non-perishable food items in bulk might save you money in the long run because you receive a discount when buying in bulk.
Also, keep in mind that today’s price is not necessarily tomorrow’s pricing, so buying in bulk may save you from future price increases.
To reduce food waste, avoid buying perishable goods in bulk.
3. Find substitutes
In this economy, finding ways to cut the cost of food is critical.
One way is to look into cheaper protein sources than typical options like meat, fish, and poultry.
Plant-based proteins, such as tofu, are wonderful options that provide not just significant cost savings but also increased nutritional value.
4. Practice proper food storage
Aside than buying in bulk, eating in, and growing your food, how do you store it?
When attempting to reduce food costs, you must also consider how you keep your food.
So, store your food properly to lengthen its shelf life, make your meals last longer, avoid food wastage, and lower your grocery price.
If you don’t know how to properly store your various food items, take the time to learn about them to avoid food waste.
5. Cook at home
Making your own dishes instead of eating out is an inexpensive way to enjoy healthful meals while saving money.
If your schedule does not allow you to cook at home on a regular basis, you may want to consider batch cooking. You may prepare meals in batches and store parts for later use, making homemade meals more handy and accessible while eliminating the temptation to eat out.
When cooking at home, go for easy and budget-friendly recipes that use inexpensive materials, lowering food expenses and reducing dependency on pricey prepared foods.
6. Grow your own
This is the ideal time to make use of your backyard or accessible property, as growing your own food is a simple method to save money.
Starting a modest vegetable garden at home will allow you to receive fresh food for a fraction of the price of store-bought fruits and veggies.
Gardening may even be a pleasant and fulfilling activity for your entire family.
7. Buy locally
Another excellent approach to avoid excessive food prices is to shop locally at the farmers’ market.
Shopping at the farmers’ market allows you to purchase in-season produce at a fantastic price. Farmers’ market prices are unlikely to have climbed as much as those of other stores due to low or no transportation costs.
To save money, look for a farmers’ market near you.
