How much realistically for 2 adults

Edwardia

borkid, I think your husband must be related to mine. He refuses to allow me to meal plan because he doesn't want to know on Monday what he'll be having for dinner on Friday. He'll agree to something in the afternoon and then when he gets off the train he decides he doesn't want it. He takes things he wants to use out of the freezer then doesn't, as well. Thankfully me shopping online means he can't buy cases of booze

Much of the non-organic meat, poultry, eggs, milk, butter and cheese eaten in the UK over the past five or so years comes from animals fed on feed containing genetically modified ingredients. DEFRA confirmed to me personally that under EU regulations, none of it has to be labelled. So most people will have been unaware of any change. I called and emailed quite a few supermarkets and they admitted allowing farmers to feed this stuff for non-organic ranges. Only Waitrose told me they don't allow it across any range.

Supermarkets aren't required to put on pack fronts that the meat has added ingredients such as water, sodium acetate, sodium citrate and dried glucose syrup. Not all supermarkets add this stuff to plain meat.

If you buy cottage cheese do you expect it to contain anything but salt ? Well, some will include modified maize starch and potassium sorbate. Others won't.

Marks and Spencer claims that none of their ready meals contain artificial colour, flavourings, preservatives or hydrogenated fats Not all manufacturers do this and even so the M&S meals may have too much salt or sugar.

If you know what you're eating, and understand what it does to you, that's fine. Your life, your health. But there are soo many people on here who eat rubbish and say they are eating healthily it's truly staggering.

It is possible to eat healthily on a budget without eating organic IF you shop around and read labels and understand them. But it is becoming more and more difficult.

blueybug

Well I spent 50 pounds last month for two adults on food.

It can be done.

Ive two cats also they only eat the best biscs and eat felix which is a bonus as its always on offer.

I use to spend 300-400 a month and thought "why"?

I did a meal planner and with a little less M&S and a little more Aldi/Asda/Tescos I feed both of us for 50 pounds for 25 meals inc pack up & breakfast.

I use to be picky and thought Mmmm I wonder if Asda own brand was any good? I tried I liked I saved.

Try to cut down slowly but try the meal planning, its crazy how much you can save!

Beckyy

I budget £250 per month for 2 people, but have to meal plan and be strict to stick to it. We buy organic dairy always, and organic everything else when we can afford it.

I budget for pet food seperately because I don't think you can buy quality pet food in the supermarkets.

asp746

im quite lucky in that i have a local shopping precinct close by which has iceland, homebargains, poundland & B&M, in addition to that on the edge is an asda & tesco so i appreciate i am very fortunate indeed having access to all these shops - i never do my shopping in the one place - flit from shop to shop. I spend about 180 a month and that includes £6 pw on 2 boxes of whiskas/felix pouches and stuff for my packed lunches - we dont have proper meals every night - occasionally dd will have a subway with her friends. £400 does sound high to me.

borkid

Edwardia I do meal plan but it has to be a 'moveable' feast,what was palanned for Thursday might have to be eaten on Weds or Fri.

Until recently we grew some of our own fruit and veg and bought a lot from the local farm shop, they grew there own to sell, so I knew exactly what was used to grow it. Likewise with some meat, we could go and see 'it' live and then collect. Dave the pig was very tasty! I used Waitrose a lot as well. Now though, I have to start making new contacts, I've got the eggs sorted and hopefully meat once the local farmer sends some creatures off.

I do have to be careful with what I eat as some meat, depending on how it was raised, triggers my arthritis which is not good as I then find climbing stairs nearly impossible.

mouseymousey99

Any thoughts on veggie boxes? I'm tempted, but my sense head says its very expensive?
borokid, re arthritis, me too (I'm veggie) I don't know if its made any difference; nothing to compare it too.

Edwardia

I've tried organic veg boxes from Ocado and Abel & Cole.

I felt the Ocado was better value for money cos you got more. Also if you have a Total Savings Pass you get money off. Until end of January they are also on special offer. You can also get the veg box with your one hour slot. You don't get to choose the veg however.

Abel & Cole will let you sub veg you don't like, they have a bigger range of veg and delivery is only 99p. You can't choose your delivery day or a slot however.

Tesco has partnered with Soil and Seed in London (only) to deliver veg boxes with Tesco orders so you can get timed slots and there's an offer on atm I think.

A lot of people sat Riverford is good but I can't get that or Tilia or The Organic Delivery Company. There are also other smaller companies delivering in London/elsewhere. When I come across them I stick on the organic thread so searching MSE forum might bring them up.

banks4u

Someone help me, I recently got married and moved in with my husband. I love shopping at Sainbsurys especially at reductions, I bought 4 packets of cod for 68p each packet today. Basically I think if we calculated how much we spend on food in total it would total about the same which is something we can't afford. We want to set up a menu for the week but being newly married I have no idea what I could make. Does anyone have any ideas?

Michelle63x

Try searching for some good suggestions on websites on the net - love food hate waste is a good site and gives recipes/menu planner ideas. Find some good cook books in charity shops/boot sales or try BBC Good food recipes on the net - put in your ingredient you've bought and see what they suggest to do with it. I'd be using your packets of cod to do a nice fish bake with some leftover cheese/veg and a breadcrumb topping.
Be brave, be prepared to make some mistakes and give it a go! Good Luck.

skintas_2

im 2 adults 2 children and 3 cats i spend about £220 a month..this includes cat food toiletries these mostly come from 99p shop..main food shops comes from iceland...top up shops come from tesco or asda...once a month i go to market and get £20 of meat this is included..i found if i did a big shop inbiger supermarkets i was picking up items i didnt need