Veggies - how to know how much to buy for a week?

Mics_chick

I always seem to over or under estimate how much I need?
Has anyone got any tips on how to handle this better???

Editted to add: I need enough for 2 adults & 2 kids aged 4 & 2.5

savingsara_2

This is a problem I have too as I only plan roughly what we're going to have to eat.
What I have found is that I end up with much less waste if I put my veges into Stayfresh bags from Lakeland ltd. (potatoes, onions & mushrooms excepted).
They're not that cheap, but they pay off in the end!
Until recently my nearest greengrocer/supermarket was 5-7 miles away, market even further. At least now there's a farm shop 1.7 miles away.

lil_me

I buy enough fruit for at least 3 portions a day each, mix of things from banana/apple each to grapes and strawberries, topped up with dried fruits, fruit is a massive chunk of my budget, doesn't work out that way when eaten as they pick what they want at the time, but seems to work when it comes to buying enough/wasting. Bananas can always be used as lollies in freezer or in cakes etc if have too many. Veg usually planned in meals, depends what we are having on meal plan as to what I buy.

If you overbuy you can blanche and freeze a lot of veg types, frozen veg always a good stand by.

Maybe make a note of what you use each week for a few weeks and go from there ?

lynzpower

Do you meal plan?
We do and we plan before going shopping, so then we know what we'll be having and buy accordingly.

Always have frozen peas, sweetcorn in as a standby in any case.

belfastgirl23

I've cut well down on buying fresh veg for exactly the reason you say - I don't menu plan exactly since I do like to eat what I fancy (often the same as what I've planned but not always )

Frozen green beans are also a good standby item since they cook okay from frozen and go well with a variety of pasta dishes etc. Courgettes and peppers are good since they can sit for a little while before using them. As for portions when you know you're going to use them I have to confess that I do overbuy a bit since I'd rather overeat on veggies than pasta

Mics_chick

lil_me wrote: »

I buy enough fruit for at least 3 portions a day each, mix of things from banana/apple each to grapes and strawberries, topped up with dried fruits, fruit is a massive chunk of my budget, doesn't work out that way when eaten as they pick what they want at the time, but seems to work when it comes to buying enough/wasting. Bananas can always be used as lollies in freezer or in cakes etc if have too many. Veg usually planned in meals, depends what we are having on meal plan as to what I buy.

If you overbuy you can blanche and freeze a lot of veg types, frozen veg always a good stand by.

Maybe make a note of what you use each week for a few weeks and go from there ?

This makes a lot of sense but as always it's only obvious once someone's pointed it out to you

lil_me

Don't forget to make notes of what is bought AND what is thrown away, plus what gets frozen/used for alternatives, then you'll get a proper idea of what you use, reducing wastes the MSE bit of course but there is also reducing the cost/time involved topping up.