Latest news with #mealplanning
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I'm a mum-of-5 but feed the whole family for just 68p per meal – we never scrimp on our snacks & still enjoy takeaways
A SAVVY mum-of-five has revealed how she keeps her food costs down to just £100 a week without compromising on the food they love. Danni Calvey is able to feed her entire family of seven for just 68p per meal and has now shared her tips and tricks. 3 3 3 Danni and her partner Stephen, 32, have five kids; Chloe, eight, Ethan, seven, Joshua, four, Reece, three, and 10-month-old Mia. With such a large brood, the 28-year-old – who recently went viral in a TikTok that has over 1.1m views – has been forced to find savvy ways to budget when it comes to the food shop. 'Financially, as a large family we just work within our means,' the mum told What's The Jam. 'We meal plan and budget for bills throughout the month. Food shopping averages somewhere around £100 a week," which equates to around 68p per meal. 'We do days out and takeaways when we can afford it," Danni added. 'I feel it's very important to make memories, regardless of the money you've got to spend. 'Yes we are a large family but our house is always busy, which I love – and the children are never lonely. 'Unexpected bills or buys can really throw a spanner in the works – but we just make do.' From meal planning to digging out yellow sticker deals, here's how Danni, from Lincolnshire, scores a cheap meal. I made a weeks worth of sandwiches for just 30p - my hack means I have my lunch sorted whenever I need it, people think it's revolting but it saves me money YELLOW STICKER BARGAINS The mum says to always grab yellow sticker items, even if you don't think you'll need them. She said: 'Buy those yellow sticker bargains. 'Even if you're not going to use it straight away, there's not much that can't go into the freezer for another day. 'Buy it, save it.' SHOP AROUND Don't be too loyal to your local supermarket – visit different shops to save on pennies. She said: 'I tend to shop at Asda, simply because of the convenience. '[But] I use Aldi for nappies and wipes. 'And will go to farm foods every two months to do a big restock of fizzy drinks.' How to save money on your food shop Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year: Odd boxes - plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price. Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30. Sainsbury's also sells £2 "Taste Me, Don't Waste Me" fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash. Food waste apps - food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public. Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go's app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount. Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses. Yellow sticker bargains - yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap. But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here. Super cheap bargains - sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they've found on the cheap, including food finds. "Downshift" - you will almost always save money going for a supermarket's own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands. The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as "downshifting" and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop. PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL Stop yourself from buying unnecessary items. She said: 'As soon as I have spare money, I want to treat the kids. 'So if I know I need to save the money, it is sheer willpower to not go and spend it on something the kids definitely don't need. 'Other than that, I use a savings account that I transfer odd amounts of money over to. 'Or put change into a money tin.' PLAN AHEAD She said: 'To keep costs low in a food shop I always use a shopping list. 'I meal plan breakfasts, lunches and dinners and work around that. 'I prioritise making sure we have big evening meals and all of the stuff for that. 'And it definitely works, it's very easy to go off track and spend more than you intend to without [one]. KEEP SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES CHEAP The mum even manages to stick to budgets during the summer holidays. She said: 'Keeping the children entertained during school breaks can be a challenge, especially with their ages being so different. 'I like to keep the cost as minimal as I can. 'Our 'go to' activities are the library, local churches and nature hunts. 'I buy £1 brown party bags and write five items on each bag – then we go hunt for them in the park. 'We also go to Asda who have the 'Feed Kids for £1' [offer] so the children feel like they've been out for dinner – but it's only cost me £5. 'Feeding the ducks and going for walks are also things we do every holidays. 'When the budget allows we like to go on days out, to the farm and the seaside. 'I feel it's very important to make memories, regardless of the money you've got to spend. 'Yes we are a large family but our house is always busy, which I love – and the children are never lonely. 'Unexpected bills or buys can really throw a spanner in the works. 'But we just make do. 'We make changes and we adapt.'
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Miss Manners: Pushy friend takes over your kitchen every visit
Dear Miss Manners: I have a friend, Nora, whom I have known since high school. She now lives in a nearby town, but too far to just make a visit for the day, so when we do get together, it requires a weekend stay for her and her husband. We do get along and enjoy their visit, except for one thing. When I entertain, I like to plan all the meals, snacks, etc., and prepare them in advance so I don't spend a lot of time cooking while they are here.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Family uses artificial intelligence for meal plans to cut grocery bill
Brooke Ferrier admittedly never paid much attention to her weekly grocery bill. But sticking to a budget became a reality for the New South Wales Central Coast mother of two when she and her husband both lost their jobs. "There was a lot going on in my personal life and I really didn't have the capacity to think about what to cook," Ms Ferrier recalled. "I thought I'd turn to AI [artificial intelligence] and see if it could help me out in terms of creating a bit of a meal plan on a budget." She asked ChatGPT for a low-cost meal plan for two adults and two toddlers and followed up with extra instructions (known as prompts in the AI world) to fine-tune the result, including a request for hidden vegetables, low-carb options and no lentils, to meet the family's preferences. The AI also compared supermarket prices and created a categorised shopping list with specific quantities. The result was a week's worth of breakfasts, dinners and snacks coming in at a total of $140. It was a drastic difference to the way Ms Ferrier used to shop. "[Previously] I'd get a range of different meats, a whole bunch of veggies and fruit and our pantry and our fridge were stocked but I was spending $400 or $500 every four or five days," she said. "Each night I was making what came to mind looking into the fridge, no thought or planning to what we were eating. "I was always over cooking and always throwing out waste. The family's weekly meal plans include spaghetti bolognese with hidden veggies, chicken and veg stir-fry, beef and vegetable meatballs and homemade snacks. Ms Ferrier said she was now making meals go further. "I had been one to buy things out of ease, to feed the kids, things like processed snacks," she said. "[But] when I cook there are always leftovers … a lot of the meals can serve as snacks later … [things like] fritters, pancakes, sausage rolls. "One week, I typed in that we'd been feeling sick and wanted foods that are meant to boost immunity." She has also asked AI for recipes to use up pantry items that have been in the cupboard for a long time, like tinned tomatoes and coconut milk. Food and nutrition scientist Emma Beckett said there was almost no downside to using AI for meal planning, but warned it was important to get specific about what you wanted. "I would add some prompts around things like making sure I had enough fibre according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines," Dr Beckett advised. "To make sure we're not just eating frugally but we're also eating well and nourishing ourselves." Dr Beckett said one of the reasons an AI meal plan or shopping list could save money was because it removed human emotion. "It means you don't need to make those decisions because we are emotional in the supermarket, and the supermarkets rely on that." Ms Ferrier agreed that AI helped ensure she was only buying what she needed. "We've gone from a fridge full of food all the time, to the bare minimum," she said. "In the past, we were constantly throwing out quite a bit … we always had a lot of waste." Ms Ferrier and her husband have both found new jobs but plan to continue using AI to help keep the budget in check. As for the weekly savings? "That will probably go back into the kids somehow on clothes or toys," Ms Ferrier said. "But we're also planning to renovate so we're looking to tighten our budget however we can."
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
The 2 key eating habits to trigger weight loss revealed – and you don't even need to change what you eat
Katrina Turrill Published: Invalid Date, THE key to weight loss might not be what you eat, but in fact WHEN you eat. When you eat breakfast and dinner could lead to a healthier body weight over time, say scientists. Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) found eating breakfast early and extending your overnight fast by also eating dinner early can help you keep your weight in check. The study tracked more than 7,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 65. Back in 2018, they answered detailed questions about their diet, lifestyle, meal times, and body measurements. Five years later, more than 3,000 of them returned for a follow-up to provide updated health information. 'Our results, in line with other recent studies, suggest that extending the overnight fast could help maintain a healthy weight if accompanied by an early dinner and an early breakfast, explained Luciana Pons-Muzzo, researcher at ISGlobal at the time of the study. "We think this may be because eating earlier in the day is more in line with circadian rhythms and allows for better calorie burning and appetite regulation, which can help maintain a healthy weight. "However, it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions, so recommendations will have to wait for more robust evidence." The researchers found notable differences when looking at the data by gender. On average, women had lower BMIs than men and were more likely to follow the Mediterranean diet - a way of eating based on the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, emphasising plant-based foods and healthy fats, and recommended for its health benefits. They also tended to drink less alcohol and take on more household or care giving responsibilities. I lost almost a stone in just six days and here's the exact list of delicious meals I ate which never left me hungry Restricting your eating window to a specific time each day or week and abstaining from food for the rest of the time is known as intermittent fasting. Emerging evidence suggests it goes beyond weight loss, offering potential benefits for metabolic health, athletic performance, and even slowing the progression of certain diseases. But fasting and skipping breakfast could have a detrimental impact on health. Looking at the results of their analysis, the researchers were struck by a small group of men whose first meal of the day was after 2pm and who, on average, fasted for 17 hours. Compared to other participants, this group of men tended to have less healthy lifestyles (were more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, do less physical activity, and had less adherence to the Mediterranean diet). 'There are different ways of practising what is known as 'intermittent fasting' and our study relates to one of them, which is overnight fasting, says Camille Lassale, ISGlobal researcher and senior co-author of the study. "What we observed in a subgroup of men who do intermittent fasting by skipping breakfast is that this practice has no effect on body weight. "Other intervention studies in participants with obesity have shown that this tactic is no more effective than reducing calorie intake in reducing body weight in the long term." When practising intermittent fasting, remember to prioritise staying hydrated, choose a suitable approach for your lifestyle, and focus on healthy eating during your eating window. Consider starting with a 12-hour fast and gradually increasing the duration as needed. It's also important to be mindful of potential side effects like fatigue and dizziness, and to consult with a doctor, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. What are the health benefits of fasting? Weight loss Fasting can promote weight loss by reducing calorie intake and potentially increasing fat burning. Improved blood sugar control Fasting can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Metabolic changes Fasting can alter metabolic processes, making the body more efficient at utilising fuel and potentially improving lipid profiles (cholesterol). Improved cognitive function Some studies suggest that fasting may enhance cognitive function, learning, memory, and alertness. Neuroprotective effects Fasting has been linked to neuroprotective properties, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Potential for increased longevity Research suggests that fasting may be associated with increased lifespan and a delay in age-related diseases. Heart health Fasting may positively impact heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving cardiovascular function. Improved gut health Fasting can influence gut microbiota, potentially improving gut health and immunity.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
School lunch documents reveal nutritional assessments, student taste test results
Butter chicken lunch from Lincoln Heights school (left) and chicken teriyaki lunch at Massey Primary School. Photo: RNZ / Louise Ternouth The amount of coconut cream allowed in a curry, the questionable categorisation of potato as a salad vegetable, and the wildly varying results of taste tests are among matters covered by school lunch scheme documents obtained under the Official Information Act. The documents provided insight into meal development by the School Lunch Collective last year and earlier this year as it prepared to take over the contract for feeding students at about 440 schools . They included Education Ministry assessment of the nutritional value of the meals and accompanying side snacks, ministry emails to staff at Compass, the company leading the School Lunch Collective, and the results of taste testing of three meals last year. They showed that curries should not have more than 15ml (about one tablespoon) of coconut cream per serving and soy sauce in a teriyaki meal should not exceed half-a-teaspoon. They also showed that children's reactions varied enormously with one child describing a meal as "five star", but another in the same class writing "taste bad and looks bad and smell is bad" about the same meal. The documents included advice from the now-defunct food preparation company Libelle on how schools could increase children's uptake of the meals. It suggested withholding treats until after lunch, serving meals at the first break of the day rather than waiting until lunch time, and providing condiments such as tomato sauce. It also suggested serving food buffet style so children could choose, changing lunch orders on an online portal to avoid unpopular meals, and "the five senses initiative" which asked children to consider their meal and note their observations on a brightly-colour checklist. Advice from food preparation company Libelle told schools how they could increase children's uptake of the provided meals. Photo: Screenshot / Compass Group The documents inluded results from taste tests last year of three meals with children in different schools. In February last year a taste testing of a beef curry and rice meal across a number of schools and classrooms resulted in comments ranging from "meat is amazing" and "liked everything about the meal" to "too bland" and "didn't look appetising". Multiple comments noted difficulty opening the meal containers and that a hot meal was not appealing on a hot day. Overall, 13 percent of students did not like the meal, 35 percent were neutral and 53 percent liked or strongly liked it. "As a result of receiving the above summary feedback, Libelle made changes to the process of cooking the diced meat and started to investigate the claims of difficult to open lids again," the document said. It showed a macaroni and cheese meal was revised to improve the cheese flavour and hide vegetables following feedback that akonga "do not like vegetables and couldn't taste the cheese flavour". A test of the revised meal across six schools resulted in 57 percent of pupils giving a positive rating, 21 percent neutral and 23 percent negative. One school said all children ate the meal and wanted it back on the menu, but another said everyone disliked it: "Their feedback was that it was gluggy. I dissected a meal and it was quite congealed and the pasta did appear overcooked and mushy". The document showed further investigation revealed the negative feedback was from a school that received the meal several hours before it was consumed and negative opinions about the meal from school staff might have influenced pupil opinions. Comments about the meal included "I love it, give us more of it please", "it was so cheesey", "looks weird", "smell yuck", "basic and ok". A trial of beef rissoles across two schools proved the most divisive with 44 percent positive, 24 percent neutral and 32 percent negative. "It was good but not that good," wrote one student, while another wrote "I like all of it and it was amazing". "Too much thyme or mixed herbs - it's in everything almost every day," wrote another. By 22 May last year, Libelle noted that 13 schools had opted to stop receiving the beef rissoles and gravy meal and it was planning to update the meal with a new improved version for the following term. Documents released under the Official Information Act reveal 13 schools opted to stop receiving a beef rissoles and gravy meal from the school lunch programme. Photo: Screenshot / Compass Group Among the released documents was a spreadsheet showing Education Ministry assessments of 24 meals and, for older children, accompanying snacks against nutritional requirements. It showed an early version of Mac n Cheese failed to make the grade because it was too light, 209 grams instead of at least 240 grams with just 30 percent of the required protein, while a gluten-free version had 99.875 percent of the protein required. Muesli bars, yoghurt raisins, banana chips and pretzels failed to make the grade as acceptable snacks. A 12 December 2024 email from the Education Ministry to Compass Group said all main meals for the proposed menu for term 1 2025 had been assessed as meeting nutrition requirements, but two changes were requried for the sides that accompanied lunches for students in Year 9 and above to ensure the total meal met nutritional requirements. "There are four meals that fall short of meeting nutrition standards, two are within an acceptable margin (Beef Rissoles and Mac n Cheese), however the other two will need to be adjusted to meet nutrition standards. Beef bolognese is 9g below the protein food requirement and Chicken Teriyaki Rice exceeds the amber allowance by 8g," the email said. The School Lunch Collective said amber ingredients, such as coconut cream, were allowed in meals, but only up to a certain amount. On 10 January 2025, the ministry emailed Compass Group asking for changes to four meals. "Butter Chicken: Coconut cream is double the allowed serving size for both age group. Needs to be reduced to 15mls per serve. "Ham Mac n Cheese: no percentage of cheese in the sauce so can't confirm meets protein requirements. "Thai Chicken: Coconut cream again is over the amber serving limit of 15mls per serve. "Beef rissoles: Doesn't meet veg content (note saying potato considered as salad veg?) but even with veg in rissole, brownie and onion in gravy it is still short." On 13 January 2025 a ministry email to Compass Group listed changes required to five meals. "Butter Chicken and Thai Chicken - reduce the coconut cream content to no more than 15mls per serve. "Mac n Cheese: confirm cheese content (needs to be at least 17g per servce to meet yr 4-8 protein requirement) and ensure sides contribute sufficient protein to meet Y9+ requirements of at least 50g. "Teriyaki Chicken: ensure that soy sauce content is less than 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) per serve. "Beef Rissoles: increase vegetables by at least 15g to meet Y4-8 min requirement (60g)." School Lunch Collective figures showed it was delivering about 103-107,000 lunches to about 440 schools a day with waste or uneaten lunches ranging from six to 10 percent. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
