Where to find cheap nuts, dried fruit etc?

ALittleInLove

I'm trying to be more healthy with what i eat and my friend recommended dried fruit and nuts. She mixes a handful of each and adds a handful of chocolate or bits of fudge to beat the sweet cravings.

I love the idea of doing this but it seems to be so expensive! Can anyone recommend anywhere to get this type of food any cheaper? I'm willing to buy in bulk provided the stuff won't go stale.

Thanks for any input.

milliemonster

Julian Graves used to sell loads of this kind of stuff fairly cheaply but of course they've gone bust now, I do sometimes use holland and barrett when they have one of their deals on but otherwise just the supermarkets really.

One thing with buying nuts in bulk though, they do go rancid pretty quickly once you open them so not good to buy huge quantities unless you are eating tons (and then that negates the health benefits as they are high in calories!)

bargainshopper1

milliemonster wrote: »

Julian Graves used to sell loads of this kind of stuff fairly cheaply but of course they've gone bust now, I do sometimes use holland and barrett when they have one of their deals on but otherwise just the supermarkets really.

One thing with buying nuts in bulk though, they do go rancid pretty quickly once you open them so not good to buy huge quantities unless you are eating tons (and then that negates the health benefits as they are high in calories!)

I always buy mine when they are on sale in the supermarket and store them in the freezer. They keep really well and no chance of going rancid then!

tpsjrm

Hi,
Tesco and the other supermarkets do value 500g bags of mixed dried fruit for around 67p - if you like the tang of added mixed peel! 500g bags of only sultanas or only currants tend to be a bit more pricy. I get re-sealable packs of walnut halves/pieces from Lidl - can't remember the price off-hand, but they are very reasonable. They also do similar packs of mixed fruit and nuts in different combinations, (e.g. some have dried coconut or brasil nuts or candied pineapple etc.), which are worth a try but will be more expensive than making your own mixtures. Good luck.

McKneff

Yes, I agree with others, the 'saver' range at supermarkets are fine. At between 65 and 75p amazing value for money when Whitworths are three times the price.

Edwardia

If you buy fruit and nuts from the baking aisles they are cheaper as no VAT. Holland and Barrett has a buy one get one half price deal on all food and drink atm. Suggest having a look at price per 100g so you can compare different packet sizes wherever you go.

ALittleInLove

Thanks guys. Very muc appreciated.

I didn't even realise that you could store nuts in the freezer!

I will definately have a look at the price per 100g so I can do a fair comparison between stores and brands.

I have to confess i've always been a bit sceptical about the savers ranges of dried fruit/nuts but i'll give it a go and see what i think.

Thanks again everyone!

andy40

I find Aldi do the best deals.

dasophster

Only savers/basics range of dried fruit I'd be cautious with is Sainsbury's as most of their stuff is from the US and glazed with cottonseed oil which is almost always genetically modified these days, so a bit dubious xx

just_trying

I would recommend home bargains if you have one near you, they have a large range of these products at a very reasonable price. Hth.