Eating healthy for less in 2026
In 2026, cost of living pressures is one of the top concerns for households. At the same time, many of us want to enjoy affordable nutritious foods that support our health. Healthy food can sometimes feel out of reach, but choosing foods from the five core food groups, like fruit and vegetables, grains, dairy and meat varieties can often be cheaper and greater value for money than convenience foods. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating shows an example of the types of foods that give us the energy and nutrients we need to support growth, wellbeing and reduce risk of developing diet-related chronic disease as we age. Healthy eating on a budget, whether you’re cooking for one or ten, can be made more affordable by looking at the type of products you buy in the supermarket, and how you store, plan and use foods in your home.
Planning meals ahead can stretch your budget further and reduce chance of buying takeaway when you need a quick meal.
Try these tips to stay ahead of the game:
Check your stock: before going to the shop – plan to use up what’s already in the fridge, freezer, or pantry.
Use up the “ugly” veg: limp carrots or soft zucchinis can be chopped into curries, soups, or blended into sauces. Need inspiration? Check out Foodbank WA’s recipe for Vegie Curry Squad.
Stick to your list: once you’ve done a stocktake, only buy what you need. Get your own nom! shopping list and meal planner from Superhero Foods HQ!
Need recipe inspiration? Check out our delicious and healthy nom! recipes here. Developed by our team of nutritionists, our recipes provide some innovative ways to use canned and frozen foods and use up some of your ‘not so pretty’ fruit and vegetables.
If you want to save money without cutting back on the amount of food you buy, try these simple tips to help stretch your budget and make every meal count:
Frozen and canned fruit and veg are your best friends – they’re just as nutritious as fresh, budget friendly, last for months, and you can use just what you need.
Buy reduced-to-clear meat – store in the freeze for up to 3 months or eat before the use-by date.
Supermarket brands tend to be cheaper than name brand products and mostly their ingredients and nutrition panels are very similar.
Buy from community pantries and Foodbank WA – find out how to access Foodbank WA branches and Mobile Foodbank.
You can read more about money saving tips on our website.
Small actions that help your groceries last longer can ease the pressure. Did you know that Australia wastes about 7.6 million tonnes of food every year? And it’s not just scraps, most of this food is perfectly edible. Wasting food also wastes all the water, energy, and love that went into growing, making, and transporting it.
Here are some simple ideas to extend the life of groceries and reduce food going in the bin:
Store leftovers in clear, labelled containers so they’re easy to spot and use.
Freeze bread – perfect for toasties later in the week.
Have milk close to its use-by date? Freeze it and defrost when needed.
Fresh herbs going brown? Blend with oil or water and freeze in ice cube trays – great for soups and sauces.
Get creative with leftovers – turn leftover roast chicken into wraps or add extra veg and stock to leftover pasta for a hearty soup. Try our Chicken and Corn Soup!
Small and simple changes to how we plan and use our food can make a big difference to the amount of money we spend on groceries. Start small but trialling one or two of these tips and build up your routine as you adapt. By selecting nutritious foods and utilising leftovers to plan balanced meals, we can work toward nourishing ourselves and reducing food waste. If you’re looking for different ways to use leftover veg, visit Superhero Foods HQ for a range of recipes like Speedy Stew and even sausage rolls!