Health and Nutrition are key when dealing with infertility
Ten top tips of how to eat healthy on a budget
shared from IVF Babble
Sue Bedford (MSc Nutritional Therapy)
Many of us are looking for ways to save money due to the rising cost of living. Taking a close look at our food budget and spending is a good place to start. Food that is healthy need not be expensive and when nourishing our bodies to get ‘fertility fit’ it is an area that cannot be compromised on as it is essential that we are taking in the right nutrients. Here are ten top tips for keeping food costs lower whilst still ensuring that you are putting nourishing food to put on your plate.
Batch cook and freeze- its cheaper to buy in bulk plus it helps prevent impulse buying if for example, your evening meal can be pulled out of the freezer at the start of the day.
Home-cook – this is cheaper and healthier. You know exactly what you have put in it- many ready meals are expensive and are also loaded with salt and hidden sugars.
Buy seasonally- most fruits and vegetables grow and mature at specific times of the year, so those are the best times to eat them. When these fruits, vegetables, and legumes are in season, they contain the most nutrients (and taste better, too!). January provides us with plenty of healthy greens and root veggies.
Don’t throw anything away; everything you have can be turned into a meal, including juices, stock, stew, soup, sauces, fruit puree and roasted vegetables.
Buy frozen fruit and vegetables- still bursting with nutrients as they are usually frozen after being picked within a couple of hours, are often very good on price and help prevent food waste.
Adding extra vegetables will bulk up meals and provide additional nutrition and satiety at a low cost.
Instead of purchasing packaged food, add flavour to food using herbs and spices.
Buy tinned fish such as salmon and sardines. A great value way of packing in some great fertility friendly nutrients including protein, omega3 , calcium and vitamin D.
Visit your local butcher or farm shop as they often make up packs of different meats that are very good value, portion it out and freeze it. This is a win -win as you are not only supporting local businesses, you can ask their expert knowledge and also help reduce food miles. To make meat last longer, cut it in half and add beans, tomatoes or pulses.
Buy loose discounted fruit and vegetables ‘offers of the week’. This saves money and helps reduce packaging which is often plastic.