Five healthy foods that will save you money at the till
The price of groceries is skyrocketing in South Africa and choosing to eat healthy can be expensive. We’ve found five cheap, healthy foods.
As we’ve explored in our monthly articles about the cost of an average grocery basket in South Africa, the price of food – healthy or otherwise – is on the up! Fuel prices and inflation has led to a genuine cost-of-living crisis.
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And when that happens, the first thing to go out the window are healthy eating habits. This sees people reverting to cheaper, less nutritious foods simply because they feel they have no choice.
HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOODS
But if you know what you’re looking for and you shop carefully you can find pack your cupboards with healthy foods that won’t break the bank.
Here’s our list …
1. ROOIBOS TEA – R44.25
Locally grown, Rooibos is rich in antioxidants and is a natural anti-inflammatory. That means it’s healthy for you. When you drink it you just feel good. It’s also caffeine free and this makes it a great, healthy alternative to Ceylon tea and coffee. More affordable, too. Makro retails an 80-pack for just R44.25.
2. SWEET POTATOES – R14.99
Leave regular potatoes behind. The healthy alternative is high in vitamin A and C, fibre, as well as potassium. They’re inexpensive and can bulk up any meal thanks to their sweet flavor. Even the best way to cook them is healthy: roasting. Checkers retails a 1kg bag for only R14.99. But better still, you might want to look into growing them at home as part of home a veggie garden.
3. CANNED BEANS – R12.99
Like ‘em or loathe ‘em, South Africa was built on canned beans. They’re a cheap, convenient and relatively healthy choice to bring protein and fibre to your meals. It’s a great protein replacement, for health or financial reasons, when cutting down on meat at home. A tin of Koo Baked Beans will set you back just R12.99 from Shoprite currently.
4. OATS – R41.45
Once again, oats are a great source of fibre that will fill you up for less spend at the supermarket. Mostly consumed as part of a healthy breakfast, you’ll fulfil your body’s need for vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc. You should note that there are plenty of sugared oats on sale. The healthiest and cheapest is the traditional, unflavoured option. Makro currently has Jungle Oats on sale for R41.45 for a 1kg box.
5. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
When you’re talking healthy foods, you cannot pass up any fruit and vegetables. Granted, they aren’t the cheapest and they can go off in your home if not consumed in time. But a diet full of fruit and vegetables is the key to a healthy life. Fruit is a healthy alternative to chocolates and sweets. And vegetables are key to good nutrition on a budget.
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