Eat well for under a pound

Despite inflated food prices, it can cost as little as 80 pence to get your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, according to a report the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

The WCRF has released the report amidst concerns are cutting back on fruits and vegetables as the economic problems put a strain on household finances, reducing people’s capacity to save and pushing many into debt.

But according to a nutritionist for WCRF, Nathalie Winn, consumers can still get their five a day by moving from fresh produce to tinned and frozen fruits and vegetables. To prove that it can be done, the WCRF have released a menu demonstrating how people can eat five portions of fruit and vegetables in one day for just 80p.

Ms. Winn said:

“In a recession, people are likely be looking at how they can save money by getting rid of some of the more costly items in their shopping trolley and the fact is that fresh fruit and vegetables can sometimes be expensive. But if you shop carefully there is no reason why you cannot have plenty of fruits and vegetables even on a very limited budget. The secret is not to restrict yourself to the fresh fruit section of the supermarket because frozen vegetables and canned fruit also count towards your five portions a day and they often cost much less.”

“Although it is important to note that fresh fruit can be inexpensive when in season. It’s worth being a savvy shopper and looking at what’s best value at different times of the year. Also, people should not be taken in by the latest fashionable ‘superfood’ because there is no evidence that these are any better for you than more traditional fruit and veg. The important thing is to get a wide variety of colours because this is the best way of making sure you get a wider range of nutrients.”

The WCRF’s five a day budget menu consists of:

Breakfast: Banana (with porridge). 14p
Mid morning snack: Apple. 22p
Lunch: Baked beans (on a jacket potato). 29p
Dinner: Frozen sweetcorn and frozen peas (with grilled fish and new potatoes). 15p
Total cost: 80p

The charity is stressing the importance of eating fruit and vegetables as scientists estimate that around a third of the most common cancers could be prevented by eating healthily, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.