How To Save Money On Your Slimming World Food Shop
If you’re thinking about joining Slimming World, then one of the biggest concerns you might have is exactly how much you’ll end up spending on your weekly food shop.
When you’ve got a budget to stick to and a family to feed, it’s easy to put any weight loss goals on the backburner, and tell yourself that you simply can’t afford it right now.
It’s true that you’ll have to do some careful planning, and there’ll be challenges to overcome, but it really is possible to follow Slimming World without splashing out a fortune in the supermarket. In fact, if you’re prepared and have a few tricks up your sleeve, you might even make some savings.
Here’s how to save money when shopping for your weight loss journey…
Know that it’s possible to follow the plan whilst sticking to a budget
This is quite possibly the single most important thing you can do when it comes to achieving success with Slimming World whilst also managing your finances. It’s a widely held belief that healthy food is much more expensive, and we’ve all read the sensationalised media stories about how fruit and vegetables are significantly pricier than chips and sweets.
When you delve a little deeper into the hard facts though, things start to become a little more ambiguous. An article published in the Washington Post suggests that the real problem is our perception, and that we’re too quick to assume that healthy eating always has to come with a higher price tag. The media has taught us to assume that healthier foods have a premium price point, even though this isn’t always the case.
The bottom line here is that Slimming World can be as expensive as you want it to be, and if you plan to suddenly add a load of avocados and acai berries to your diet, you’re undoubtedly going to spend loads more than usual. It’s very possible though to follow the plan on a tight budget, and half the battle is adopting a mindset whereby you know it can be done!
Keep your eyes peeled for discount codes
The weight loss industry is worth billions of pounds, and there are so many different brands and businesses out there that are trying to win your custom and your loyalty. The bad news here is that it can be tempting to believe the marketing hype, and end up spending money on things that you really don’t need to help you to reach your goals.
On the other hand though, the good news is that the industry is highly competitive, and so there are many discounts and deals that you can tap into. A quick Google search will often bring up money-saving offers, so before you make any purchases, get into the habit of checking. For example, Muscle Food often runs great deals on buying meat in bulk.
Of course, there’s a balance here! Saving money isn’t really saving money if you’re buying things you don’t need. Focus on keeping your kitchen stocked with the essentials for cooking on-plan meals, and steer clear of the more faddy items that really aren’t required.
Plan to cook recipes that will feed the whole family
If you’re serious about budgeting, then you’ll probably already be very familiar with the concept of meal planning, and you’ll know that it can save you a fortune. If you’re starting your Slimming World journey, then now’s the time to really knuckle down with your planning and make sure that you’re only buying what you need and eliminating any waste.
It can be tempting to cook one meal for yourself and another for the family, but this is only going to lead to more stress and frustration, and significantly higher shopping bills. One of the benefits of the Slimming World plan is that it’s really family friendly, and there are so many meals you can make that will please everyone. In fact, if you don’t tell anyone, they probably won’t even realise that they’re eating healthier!
Trying new recipes can be great, but don’t be afraid to keep things simple by making just a few tweaks to your usual family favourites. Meals like burgers, curries, and roast dinners can still be on the menu, and you don’t have to spend money on obscure or unusual ingredients.
Think of it as an exciting challenge rather than a chore
With the best will in the world, budgeting and saving money can sometimes seem like hard work, and yet another problem for you to handle. Starting a diet can be tricky in its own right, so the last thing that you need is to feel like you have even more drudgery and restriction hanging over your shoulders.
So why not spin things around a little and reframe it as a rewarding challenge for you to get stuck into? See your weekly food shop as a fun experiment in just how much you can save whilst still dishing up delicious meals. If you share food shopping responsibilities with your partner, why not create a bit of friendly competition between you both?
Imagine that it’s six months from now, and you’ve managed to reach your goal weight, cut your shopping bills down by a quarter, and learned to cook 5 new frugal but satisfying recipes. Yes, that might sound a little bit cheesy. But the key is to manage your mindset and develop a plan that’ll keep you motivated and on track!
Are you trying to eat healthier whilst still sticking to your budget? If so, what tips and hacks have you discovered that have helped you to achieve your goals?
Ruth blogs at SlimmingViolet.com, and shares Slimming World-friendly recipes and advice on making the plan work for you. She’s a home cook, food lover, and self-taught recipe creator who loves finding creative but simple ways to make your favourite meals a little lighter.
