How can you save money on food after Christmas?

Chloe Coker advises not doing the food shop when you're feeling famished

As the festive season ends, many of us will be feeling a little lighter in the pocket and perhaps a lot heavier around the waistline.

So BBC South East spoke to chefs, cookery schools and food charities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to find out how to save money on the food bill after Christmas.

With New Year often inspiring a health kick, they have also shared a few tips on how to make cheap meals that are delicious and nutritious.

And, best of all, they also reduce food waste, so better for you, better for the environment.

Use seasonal produce

Chloe Coker, from Haywards Heath in West Sussex, runs online cookery courses for eight to 16-year-olds from The Round Table Cookery School.

"Plan your meals before you shop and write a list before you go - and never shop when you are hungry - that always ends in disaster," she said.

A budget friendly and healthy way to start the New Year is to use seasonal vegetables and cut down on meat, advised Chloe.

"Seasonal veg is always more affordable," she added. "Tinned and frozen herbs and vegetables are also a really good buy - they are more affordable and don't go off and are easy to add to pasta sauces, soups and stews."

Recipes for leftovers

If you feel like you can't bear facing another turkey sandwich, Lizzie Marsh, from the Abinger Cookery School in Dorking, Surrey, has some cheap and tasty tips.

"With the cost of Christmas already an expense, why not try and turn your leftovers into delicious meals you can freeze and use over the New Year for all the family to enjoy?" she said.

"Just a few ideas - turkey and lentil stew, turkey, ham and vegetable pie topped with mashed potato, turkey and vegetable curry or turkey lasagne.

"Soup using leftover vegetables, meat and even using the bones to make the stock, bubble and squeak potato cakes."

Lizzie Marsh says avoiding waste can save you money

Don't shop when you're hungry

"Stock up on frozen vegetables such as spinach, peas, green beans, carrots and sweetcorn that you can use as an accompaniment to your leftover dishes," said Lizzie.

"A few of these ideas will help with the budgeting over the New Year and mean you have a freezer full of hearty and filling meals to keep you going."

Planning ahead will help make the most of your next food shop, added Chloe.

"Think about the ingredients you are buying and how they might work in other dishes or as leftovers," she said.

"Also think about batch cooking to save time and money."

Comfort and joy

Chef James Palmer Rosser from the Kent Cookery School is a fan of the less popular cuts of meat, which can be cheaper and more delicious

James Palmer Rosser, of the Kent Cookery School in Ashford, said: "For keeping in the budget over Christmas and watching the pennies, I would go with forgotten cuts.

"So things like oxtail or secondary cuts, beef shin, to do those kind of hearty dishes that sing winter and fills the soul with comfort, joy and happiness.

"Something like a braised ox cheek bourguignon and a smoked pancetta or just a smoked bacon mash will be fantastic.

"Equally, if we're saving money, why not just leave the protein out altogether and go veggie?"