How to eat healthy for $50 a week

Having a tight grocery budget is something most of us can relate to.

And eating well is hard.

Often because our lives are too busy with the stresses of work, family and obligations.

But Australian dietician Susie Burrell has shared with us how to get a week's worth of healthy groceries, for just A$50...

• Eggs

Cost: $5 for cage free barn laid eggs
12 eggs means six meals including two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner. Not only are eggs extremely nutritious but they are a relatively cheap source of high quality protein.

• Tuna

Cost: 2 x 95g cans - $2.00
Another high quality protein for lunch sandwiches that can regularly be found heavily discounted.

• Mince

Cost: 500g turkey, chicken, or low grade beef mince $7.00
Whether you choose lower grade beef or pork mince or lean chicken or turkey mince, you can find 500g mince for $7 or less at supermarkets. 500g of mince easily makes 2 dinner meals with lunch leftovers, especially when you bulk the mince up with extra vegetables or legumes such as lentils or kidney beans.

• Lentils

Cost: $2.80 for 200g
Lentils are a superfood when it comes to budget eating. Not only can they be added to minced meat but also made into patties and soup and a single packet will give you at least 3-4 serves.

• Bread

Cost: Multigrain loaf $3.00
You can find loaves of bread for a little as a dollar but a standard wholemeal or multigrain loaf allows you several lunch sandwiches as well as toast for breakfast several days each week will cost around $3.00.

• Chicken Tenderloins

Cost: $7.00 for 500g
You can generally find stir fry beef or chicken tenderloins for around $7 at major supermarkets which in turn can be used for two dinners and as a sandwich topping.

• Fruit 1kg

Cost: $3.00/kg
Today apples and peaches were both available for this price, which would give you 4-5 pieces of fruit for snacks through the week.

• Carrots

Cost: 1kg bag, $1.20
Buying fresh produce in season means you can get some great bargains like a whole bag of carrots for just over a dollar. In turn these can be added to smoothies, mince dishes and served as vegetable sides to chicken and fish meals.

• Frozen vegetables

Cost: $3.00
For as little as $1.70 you can find bags of frozen vegetables which can be added to soups, casseroles and mince dishes.

• Potatoes

Cost: $2.00/kg
This means that 3-4 potatoes will cost less than $2.00 and can be enjoyed with meals or as a light lunch served with tuna or leftover mince.

• Cheese

Cost: $3.50 for 200g
One of the more expensive items, a block of cheese could be considered more of a luxury item but can be used to flavour frittatas, patties and soups and also used to make cheese on toast for breakfast or enjoyed with fruit for a quick snack on the go.

• Frozen fish

Cost: $7
At the supermarket there were several types of frozen fish that were less than $7 and got this you could also find a relatively healthy grilled fish option that could be enjoyed with potatoes and vegetables on two different occasions.

• Milk

Cost: $1.20 for 1L of long life
For tea, coffee or even a quick breakfast smoothie.

• Frozen berries

Cost: $4.00 for 500g
Another more luxury item, berries can be added to milk for smoothies and often found on sale much cheaper than this when in season.

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz