Hold your horses. Despite the photo above I’m not suggesting you hunt wild animals, forage in forests, or steal leftovers from restaurants. There are better ways to eat well on a budget, and still be able to sample fine dining every night. A wise man once said that for a rich man to enjoy a healthy life he must eat like a poor man. Simple food, augmented with herbs and spices, is supremely nourishing, good for the body and can also be good for the pocket. Here are my tips for eating well without damaging your finances or your health.

1. SHOP WITH A LIST: This goes without saying, but many people often head to the supermarket and buy on impulse. Of course the supermarkets will love you for doing that, but come the end of the month your bank balance might be a lot the worse for it. Shop with a list and stick to it. Don’t fall for any of the bargains shops try to offer you unless it’s for something you have on your list.

2. PLAN YOUR MEALS FOR THE WEEK: Monday has always been Italian night in my house. Set a theme for each night, and then you’ll always know what to have for dinner.  

3. COOK IN BATCHES: If you are cooking a meal for one, cook enough for four and freeze the leftovers. 

4. BUY NON PERISHABLES IN BULK: It’s always worth buying things like pasta, rice, and canned goods in bulk. Unit costs usually decrease with higher volume purchases, and you’re less likely to run out of the staples that way. 

5. LOOK OUT FOR SPECIAL OFFERS ON FRUIT AND VEG: The German discounters Aldi and Lidl (bless ’em) have their super six fruit and veg every week. Tesco, Supervalu and Dunnes do likewise, and there is usually a very good choice on offer. Monitor what’s on offer in each shop by the week, and if you have the chance to visit more than one then make sure you get the best deals. But only buy what is on your list!!!

6. NEVER SHOP WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY: This one’s a killer. If you go shopping on an empty stomach you’ll come home with tonnes of stuff, much of which is likely to go to waste. Remember, waste is to be avoided at all costs. If you need a further deterrent to avoid waste consider this: for every gramme of food you throw out you’ll spend an extra decade in purgatory. So the moral of the story is never shop when you’re hungry.

7. NEVER BUY CHOPPED VEGETABLES: This racket supposedly saves time for those who are already pressed for this precious commodity. Nonsense. Slicing and peeling a few carrots and potatoes only takes a few minutes, and whole veg are a damn sight cheaper than chopped ones. Do it yourself.

8. PLANT VEGETABLES IN YOUR GARDEN: If you have any bit of land to spare consider planting some potatoes, carrots, parsnips, spinach or whatever you fancy. Herbs can also be grown easily on windowsills. 

9. LEARN TO BE A GOOD BAKER: Ireland experienced a massive bread shortage in the run up to Storm Emma in 2018. However, there wasn’t much of a shortage of flour and yeast in the supermarkets. Learn the basics of baking your own bread and you’ll quickly enjoy the fruits of your labour.