On her BBC Two series Nadiya’s Everyday Baking, celebrity baker Nadiya Hussain has some ideas for creating cakes and puddings without turning the oven on, saving time and money.
“I have baked my puff pastry in an air fryer before and it works really well - you get a lovely crisp pastry,” she says, while she also uses the hob to make oven-free giant cookies.
And she loves a no-cook dessert too: "l make possets, mousses, tiffins and fridge cakes - none of which require actual baking.”
Tesco overhauls yellow signs to highlight markdowns
Emma Simpson
Business correspondent
At Tesco's Hammersmith store, where I’m speaking to the supermarket group’s chief executive Ken Murphy, they have changed their yellow reduced sticker sections to make marked down items easier to spot.
.Copyright: .
The new signage is going to be rolled out to 100 stores before Christmas with more set for next year.
Tesco says 69% of shoppers are now looking for yellow stickers and discounted items when they go to shop - surely a sign of the times.
R.J.M. has written to ask if there's a cost-effective way to continue making bread, despite ovens being a relatively expensive kitchen item to use.
I think it would make sense for you to cook bread in larger
batches - perhaps four loaves at a time on two shelves - and then freeze the
extras.
I often freeze loaves cut in half to avoid waste, and make them easier
to store. Simply pop into a large plastic food bag - which you can reuse many
times - then squeeze out as much air as possible and seal tightly. Bread keeps well
in the freezer for up to a month.
If you only want to make a single loaf at a time, plan your bread-making when you'll be using your oven for something else. Either pop it in at
the same time, or take advantage of the hot oven to reduce pre-heating times.
You could also reduce energy costs a little by making smaller
loaves or rolls that take less time to bake.
’I couldn’t see a future, but now I can’
Marita Moloney
Reporting from north London
BBCCopyright: BBC
Volunteer Ellie brings out some of the snacks for the festive lunchImage caption: Volunteer Ellie brings out some of the snacks for the festive lunch
It’s party time here in the hostel in north London, run by the Single Homeless Project, where a festive lunch has been served.
After hours in the kitchen, the FEAST With Us chefs have served up platters of delicious dishes, including gammon, steaming potatoes and finger food like sandwiches and mini pesto tarts.
Brian Smith, who has been staying here for the past week, says the staff at the hostel are marvellous, including the “terrific chef”.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Brian is staying at the hostelImage caption: Brian is staying at the hostel
The Lancashire native, 64, was found sleeping rough by outreach staff in north London a few weeks ago, and thanks to the help he’s received here, he says his life has hope again.
“I’m sleeping better, I’m eating better, I’m thinking better, I’m more motivated,” he tells me.
“I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for someone finding me on the street and bringing me here.”
BBCCopyright: BBC
Lunch is servedImage caption: Lunch is served
Brian will be moving on to a new home next week, but he says it’s a relief knowing there’s a plan in place for his health and finances after he leaves.
“The stress is lifted. If you’d asked me in October what I was thinking, I would have liked not to see the winter through,” he says.
“Before, I couldn’t see a future, but now I can.”
WATCH: Why are eggs being rationed?
Video content
Video caption: Ros Atkins explainsRos Atkins explains
Eggs are being rationed. Asda, Lidl and Tesco are putting limits on how many eggs we can buy, while Sainsbury’s is importing some of its eggs from Italy.
UK poultry farmers are facing rising costs for chicken feed and energy, at a time when they are also being hit by an outbreak of bird flu.
This has led, in turn, to a squeeze on the supply of eggs to supermarket shelves.
'I use supermarket own brand everything'
Laura WalderCopyright: Laura Walder
Laura Walder from Bognor Regis has more money-saving tips for us.
"I use supermarket own brand everything!" she says.
"This Christmas, we will be getting a supermarket own brand joint of turkey rather than an actual turkey as it's cheaper and takes less time to cook. Packets of dry pasta in sauce are a really cheap meal."
In the home, Laura suggests using a dehumidifier to help dry laundry: "Yes, there is the initial outlay on the dehumidifier, but long-term, it has saved us so much money drying clothes when the weather is wet or too cold to dry items outside. It also heats up the room as well a little."
‘Couponing has helped me pay off my debt’
Yazmina Garcia
Reporting from Shropshire
.Copyright: .
Leia in Shropshire saves money with couponsImage caption: Leia in Shropshire saves money with coupons
Leia Winch lives in Shropshire with her partner Greg.
During her childhood, money was tight and her family often had to rely on credit.
Then as an adult, she got into debt due to her student loan and used to live payslip to payslip.
Now in her 30s, she says couponing has allowed her to feel more secure.
“I want financial security, I want to be able to own my home. Even if it’s saving a penny a day, it's something”
She saves money by using cashback sites, online coupons and doing market research. Being thrifty has allowed her to pay off her debts, build up a pension pot and save towards a home.
Recently, she’s been trying to be more economical about cooking.
“When you do it right, you do not feel deprived at all because I will get a beef joint for 80p and I could have a nice beef dinner.
“I just I think of past Leia and I just cringe at how much I was wasting, how much I was throwing food away.”
Leia’s saved £97.10 on food in just the last week by using online apps and vouchers.
Your questionsanswered
Should I simply switch off my fridge and freezer?
Justine Pattison
Food writer and home economist
Neil Gooding raises the question of whether it's better to shop regularly - and cut costs by not running a freezer or even a fridge at all.
I don’t think so, Neil. From a food safety point of view, it’s
very important to keep perishable foods at the right temperature.
You would likely also find buying small quantities of foods on a daily basis to be
more expensive than purchasing larger quantities that can be stored longer. That would cancel out any energy savings you might make.
It’s also worth
considering the time and costs associated with getting to and from the shops
each day.
And, depending on the size and efficiency of your fridge and freezer - as well as your energy tariff - those appliances could be costing less to run than you think.
Ways to find free or cheap food
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
As well as food banks, there are a few other ways to access food cheaply or for free.
These include community shops and social supermarkets, which distribute surplus food and household products at low prices, often to those on benefits or low incomes.
There are also volunteer-run community fridges - where people can both donate and help themselves to food.
Apps such as Too Good to Go and Olio work to reduce food waste by connecting people or businesses who have surplus food with those who need or want it.
If you're pregnant or have a child under four, and receive Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits, you may be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers to buy milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables.
The scheme operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - in Scotland there is a similar one called Best Start.
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has put together a list of ways to survive the cost of living crisis. Other suggestions he mentions on cheaper shopping include making the most of supermarket vouchers and loyalty schemes, as well as finding out the best times of day to visit your local supermarket for price reductions.
Readers offer own cost-cutting tips
Quote Message: There is one way of saving energy that I miss on your page - using a pressure cooker! Fantastic for pulses, stews and soups. Vegetables like beetroot are ready a lot faster than by cooking them on the hob or in the oven. And a pressure cooker does not take up a lot of space. from Maria Scott
There is one way of saving energy that I miss on your page - using a pressure cooker! Fantastic for pulses, stews and soups. Vegetables like beetroot are ready a lot faster than by cooking them on the hob or in the oven. And a pressure cooker does not take up a lot of space.
Quote Message: Buy a cheap bamboo set of steamers and steam your vegetables over the pan as you cook your potatoes. The vegetables taste far better when steamed and don't need added salt. from Steve Mason
Buy a cheap bamboo set of steamers and steam your vegetables over the pan as you cook your potatoes. The vegetables taste far better when steamed and don't need added salt.
Quote Message: An extremely quick way of saving money is to turn your back on brands. As a family of five with three young children, they can't tell the difference between a brand and a supermarket-own, and the savings are breathtaking. Things like chopped tomatoes can be a quarter of the price of a brand. We have saved literally hundreds with no taste difference. from Ross in Coventry
An extremely quick way of saving money is to turn your back on brands. As a family of five with three young children, they can't tell the difference between a brand and a supermarket-own, and the savings are breathtaking. Things like chopped tomatoes can be a quarter of the price of a brand. We have saved literally hundreds with no taste difference.
Time to cut waste food
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Could you cut food costs and be greener this Christmas?
Wrap, the environmental organisation, says 4.5 million tonnes
of edible food is wasted each year in the UK.
It is a huge problem environmentally and it
makes no sense when the higher cost of living is squeezing so many households.
It’s a recurring theme for BBC Radio 5 Live’s
The Big Green Money Show. Presenters Deborah Meaden and
Felicity Hannah discovered how to cut down on waste easily and safely.
And this week they talk all things Christmas with carbon footprint expert Professor Mike Berners Lee, who says: “Christmas
is probably the worst time of year because everyone is terrified that there
won’t be enough food… so be realistic about what’s going to get eaten.”
What is meant by food insecurity?
Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondent
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Food security tests whether households have enough food to allow an active and healthy lifestyle. It is not a specific measure of hunger.
The government now collects these figures. The latest data shows 6% of households in the UK have low, or very low, food security. A higher proportion are food insecure in the North East of England, compared with the South West.
However, these figures are from 2020-21. They are likely to be more of a concern now that grocery bills are higher.
The Food Foundation charity estimates that 18% of households experienced food insecurity in September, based on its own survey data.
‘It matters to us’
Jamie Moreland
BBC News
BBCCopyright: BBC
Shuheda Begum says she can’t afford essentialsImage caption: Shuheda Begum says she can’t afford essentials
Shuheda Begum has been using the Cultural Food Hub, a community food bank in Leeds, for two weeks.
“I don’t get anything for myself, I just get things for the children,” she says.
The 37-year-old single mother of three says she can’t afford essentials after her rent and bills went up.
“It’s hard to survive, I’m so stressed,” she explains.
“My house is freezing and my small child is wheezing. He always gets a cold and a cough so I have to keep him warm.
"But if I pay the bills, I have nothing to buy food or clothes for the children. How are we going to manage?”
Shuheda gets vegetables, bread and tinned goods from the food hub.
“We make Asian food like chapati and rice. It’s helping a lot and matters to us because we’re used to eating food from our parents’ heritage.”
Shuheda is hoping that things will get better: “We have to keep positive and pray. I want my kids to get a good education, good job and live a good life.”
Your questionsanswered
What's the most cost-effective way to make soup?
Justine Pattison
Food writer and home economist
Sophie is keen to find out whether it's cheaper to make a soup on the stove or with an electric soup maker.
I
think you’re better making it on the stove as you can cook larger quantities
than a soup maker can hold, and will be able to freeze the extra portions.
Also,
you won’t have the upfront cost of the soup maker which could take a long time
to recoup.
On the hob, you can reduce energy costs by cutting ingredients into
smaller pieces, so they cook more quickly - and by always covering your pan with a
lid, so you can cook over a lower heat.
What are food prices like around the world?
Dharshini David
Economics Correspondent
For a typical grocery shop, you’ll need £60 just to purchase what £50 did a year ago; food prices are up by over 16%.
But this is a global crisis, driven by higher grain, oil, fertiliser, energy and labour costs.
Our pain isn’t unique.
According to the World Bank, almost every poor country and almost 9 out of 10 wealthy ones have food price inflation of over 5%.
For some, it’s way higher – in Turkey food is 99% more expensive than a year ago, in Lebanon 208%.
Domestic economic crises and currency fluctuations (foodstuffs traded internationally are often priced in dollars) doesn’t help.
And the global price of hunger is eyewatering.
The World Food Programme estimate over 200 million people will experience acute food security - where they can’t get enough food (be it due to shortages or price) to avoid livelihoods or lives being at risk.
The wholesale prices of some items have started to ease. But we’re a long way from a return to an era of cheaper food.
Seven satisfying meals for £1 a head
BBCCopyright: BBC
Seven family meals for under £30? It can be done.
Here we share recipes from BBC Food's budget-friendly meal plan that covers a week's worth of dinners for four adults, coming in at under £28 in total.
All the recipes are flexible too, so you can swap in different ingredients to make the most of leftovers and supermarket deals.
The meal plan sticks to a strict ingredient budget of £7 per person for the week, which averages out at just under £1 per portion.
What's more, most of the costs are based on the smallest available packet size, meaning even if you don’t use a whole jar or packet, the entire cost is still included in the budget.
‘We’re swapping turkey for chicken this year’
Lisa-Anne Campbell is a mum-of-two from Hertfordshire who says that rising energy bills and food prices mean she is cutting back in all areas, including Christmas.
She says that for Christmas lunch, the family will be swapping roast turkey for chicken and honey-roasted parsnips for frozen peas to keep costs down.
"We've got enough to pay for, and Christmas lunch just isn't the priority right now," she says.
She's not alone. In a survey of 2,000 people, consumer group Which? found that nearly half of those planned to cut costs this Christmas because of living costs, which many deciding to buy fewer gifts.
Lisa-Anne Campbell is cutting back this ChristmasImage caption: Lisa-Anne Campbell is cutting back this Christmas
Should I shop now to save on Christmas dinner?
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Most of us see our grocery bills spiral over the festive season as we stock up the cupboards ready for Christmas celebrations.
There are ways to rein in our spending without necessarily having to forego our favourite festive treats, says Citizens Advice - but it may take some forward thinking. “Make a budget and stick to it,” a statement by the charity-run information service advises.
Once you’ve nailed down your grocery budget, ask yourself which foods are most important to you at Christmas and which you might not miss.
Mitch Lane runs TikTok account Meals by Mitch, where he shares videos of himself preparing meals for four with a strict budget of £5.
“Just because it's traditional to have turkey doesn't mean we have to,” he says. “If you’re not bothered by it, get a cheaper cut of meat like a chicken or a gammon joint.”
And hunt for those bargains. Nearly all the major supermarkets have sections on their websites which detail their weekly offers. So, before you shop, look to see if there are any deals on the items on your Christmas list – you may be able to bag them at a reduced price.
The fibre in the vegetables and pulses will help keep you feeling full and one large pot of soup could be eaten over a few days. You could liven portions up with curry paste or other spices too.
The same goes for any stews or curries that you like and you could cook in bulk – use a slow cooker if you have one. Make sure you use lots of vegetables and beans or lentils too. Dried lentils are cheap and they’re one of those ingredients where a little goes a long way.
For breakfast, porridge makes a filling and cheap alternative to sugary breakfast cereals. Don’t be tempted to buy the instant porridge pots though, as they are often loaded with sugar and cost a lot more per portion than making your own.
Avoid snacking on chocolate, crisps and sugary foods if you can, as they could cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, leaving you feeling hungry just a short while later.
You should aim to eat a range of nutrient-dense foods each day. These don’t have to be the most expensive foods but will include wholegrains, affordable fruit and vegetables, dairy and protein.
Quote Message: If you're cooking any mince dish, add a handful of red lentils. It makes the meat go further, adds to the nutrient variety, and makes the meal slightly cheaper - yet doesn't taste any different or even change the texture. Win, win. from Paula from Somerset
If you're cooking any mince dish, add a handful of red lentils. It makes the meat go further, adds to the nutrient variety, and makes the meal slightly cheaper - yet doesn't taste any different or even change the texture. Win, win.
Quote Message: Just the two of us. We’ve started meal planning each week, doing a weekly shop and only buying what we need so we don’t waste ingredients and food. This has saved us £50 per month. We also cook mostly in our multi-function air fryer instead of using the oven and gas hob, and have started hand washing dishes instead of using the dishwasher - saving us £5 per week according to our smart meter. from Lee in Bury
Just the two of us. We’ve started meal planning each week, doing a weekly shop and only buying what we need so we don’t waste ingredients and food. This has saved us £50 per month. We also cook mostly in our multi-function air fryer instead of using the oven and gas hob, and have started hand washing dishes instead of using the dishwasher - saving us £5 per week according to our smart meter.
Quote Message: I have two kitchen gadgets which cost pence to buy but must have saved me pounds in cutting food waste. One is a tomato knife; a small knife with a serrated blade that slices overripe tomatoes cleanly even when they're going squidgy. The other is a Tupperware box with a loose-fitting lid and an interior drainage shelf. I store lettuce inside, in the fridge, along with a dry piece of kitchen paper which I renew regularly. Iceberg lettuce stays crisp for weeks like this. from Stephen Edwards in Hull
I have two kitchen gadgets which cost pence to buy but must have saved me pounds in cutting food waste. One is a tomato knife; a small knife with a serrated blade that slices overripe tomatoes cleanly even when they're going squidgy. The other is a Tupperware box with a loose-fitting lid and an interior drainage shelf. I store lettuce inside, in the fridge, along with a dry piece of kitchen paper which I renew regularly. Iceberg lettuce stays crisp for weeks like this.
Live Reporting
Edited by Deirdre Finnerty and Alexandra Fouché
All times stated are UK
Get involved
How to bake without an oven
On her BBC Two series Nadiya’s Everyday Baking, celebrity baker Nadiya Hussain has some ideas for creating cakes and puddings without turning the oven on, saving time and money.
“I have baked my puff pastry in an air fryer before and it works really well - you get a lovely crisp pastry,” she says, while she also uses the hob to make oven-free giant cookies.
And she loves a no-cook dessert too: "l make possets, mousses, tiffins and fridge cakes - none of which require actual baking.”
Read more here for some of Nadiya’s recipes that you can make in your air fryer, slow cooker, microwave and even your fridge.
Tesco overhauls yellow signs to highlight markdowns
Emma Simpson
Business correspondent
At Tesco's Hammersmith store, where I’m speaking to the supermarket group’s chief executive Ken Murphy, they have changed their yellow reduced sticker sections to make marked down items easier to spot.
The new signage is going to be rolled out to 100 stores before Christmas with more set for next year.
Tesco says 69% of shoppers are now looking for yellow stickers and discounted items when they go to shop - surely a sign of the times.
Meanwhile, households are switching from buying fresh food to cheaper frozen goods as the cost of living bites into budgets, Tesco told the BBC.
A few tips to make bread cheaply
Justine Pattison
Food writer and home economist
R.J.M. has written to ask if there's a cost-effective way to continue making bread, despite ovens being a relatively expensive kitchen item to use.
I think it would make sense for you to cook bread in larger batches - perhaps four loaves at a time on two shelves - and then freeze the extras.
I often freeze loaves cut in half to avoid waste, and make them easier to store. Simply pop into a large plastic food bag - which you can reuse many times - then squeeze out as much air as possible and seal tightly. Bread keeps well in the freezer for up to a month.
If you only want to make a single loaf at a time, plan your bread-making when you'll be using your oven for something else. Either pop it in at the same time, or take advantage of the hot oven to reduce pre-heating times.
You could also reduce energy costs a little by making smaller loaves or rolls that take less time to bake.
’I couldn’t see a future, but now I can’
Marita Moloney
Reporting from north London
It’s party time here in the hostel in north London, run by the Single Homeless Project, where a festive lunch has been served.
After hours in the kitchen, the FEAST With Us chefs have served up platters of delicious dishes, including gammon, steaming potatoes and finger food like sandwiches and mini pesto tarts.
Brian Smith, who has been staying here for the past week, says the staff at the hostel are marvellous, including the “terrific chef”.
The Lancashire native, 64, was found sleeping rough by outreach staff in north London a few weeks ago, and thanks to the help he’s received here, he says his life has hope again.
“I’m sleeping better, I’m eating better, I’m thinking better, I’m more motivated,” he tells me.
“I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for someone finding me on the street and bringing me here.”
Brian will be moving on to a new home next week, but he says it’s a relief knowing there’s a plan in place for his health and finances after he leaves.
“The stress is lifted. If you’d asked me in October what I was thinking, I would have liked not to see the winter through,” he says.
“Before, I couldn’t see a future, but now I can.”
WATCH: Why are eggs being rationed?
Video content
Eggs are being rationed. Asda, Lidl and Tesco are putting limits on how many eggs we can buy, while Sainsbury’s is importing some of its eggs from Italy.
UK poultry farmers are facing rising costs for chicken feed and energy, at a time when they are also being hit by an outbreak of bird flu.
This has led, in turn, to a squeeze on the supply of eggs to supermarket shelves.
'I use supermarket own brand everything'
Laura Walder from Bognor Regis has more money-saving tips for us.
"I use supermarket own brand everything!" she says.
"This Christmas, we will be getting a supermarket own brand joint of turkey rather than an actual turkey as it's cheaper and takes less time to cook. Packets of dry pasta in sauce are a really cheap meal."
In the home, Laura suggests using a dehumidifier to help dry laundry: "Yes, there is the initial outlay on the dehumidifier, but long-term, it has saved us so much money drying clothes when the weather is wet or too cold to dry items outside. It also heats up the room as well a little."
‘Couponing has helped me pay off my debt’
Yazmina Garcia
Reporting from Shropshire
Leia Winch lives in Shropshire with her partner Greg.
During her childhood, money was tight and her family often had to rely on credit.
Then as an adult, she got into debt due to her student loan and used to live payslip to payslip.
Now in her 30s, she says couponing has allowed her to feel more secure.
“I want financial security, I want to be able to own my home. Even if it’s saving a penny a day, it's something”
She saves money by using cashback sites, online coupons and doing market research. Being thrifty has allowed her to pay off her debts, build up a pension pot and save towards a home.
Recently, she’s been trying to be more economical about cooking.
“When you do it right, you do not feel deprived at all because I will get a beef joint for 80p and I could have a nice beef dinner.
“I just I think of past Leia and I just cringe at how much I was wasting, how much I was throwing food away.”
Leia’s saved £97.10 on food in just the last week by using online apps and vouchers.
Should I simply switch off my fridge and freezer?
Justine Pattison
Food writer and home economist
Neil Gooding raises the question of whether it's better to shop regularly - and cut costs by not running a freezer or even a fridge at all.
I don’t think so, Neil. From a food safety point of view, it’s very important to keep perishable foods at the right temperature.
You would likely also find buying small quantities of foods on a daily basis to be more expensive than purchasing larger quantities that can be stored longer. That would cancel out any energy savings you might make.
It’s also worth considering the time and costs associated with getting to and from the shops each day.
And, depending on the size and efficiency of your fridge and freezer - as well as your energy tariff - those appliances could be costing less to run than you think.
Ways to find free or cheap food
As well as food banks, there are a few other ways to access food cheaply or for free.
These include community shops and social supermarkets, which distribute surplus food and household products at low prices, often to those on benefits or low incomes.
There are also volunteer-run community fridges - where people can both donate and help themselves to food.
Apps such as Too Good to Go and Olio work to reduce food waste by connecting people or businesses who have surplus food with those who need or want it.
If you're pregnant or have a child under four, and receive Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits, you may be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers to buy milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables.
The scheme operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - in Scotland there is a similar one called Best Start.
Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has put together a list of ways to survive the cost of living crisis. Other suggestions he mentions on cheaper shopping include making the most of supermarket vouchers and loyalty schemes, as well as finding out the best times of day to visit your local supermarket for price reductions.
Readers offer own cost-cutting tips
Time to cut waste food
Could you cut food costs and be greener this Christmas?
Wrap, the environmental organisation, says 4.5 million tonnes of edible food is wasted each year in the UK.
It is a huge problem environmentally and it makes no sense when the higher cost of living is squeezing so many households.
It’s a recurring theme for BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Big Green Money Show. Presenters Deborah Meaden and Felicity Hannah discovered how to cut down on waste easily and safely.
And this week they talk all things Christmas with carbon footprint expert Professor Mike Berners Lee, who says: “Christmas is probably the worst time of year because everyone is terrified that there won’t be enough food… so be realistic about what’s going to get eaten.”
What is meant by food insecurity?
Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondent
Food security tests whether households have enough food to allow an active and healthy lifestyle. It is not a specific measure of hunger.
The government now collects these figures. The latest data shows 6% of households in the UK have low, or very low, food security. A higher proportion are food insecure in the North East of England, compared with the South West.
However, these figures are from 2020-21. They are likely to be more of a concern now that grocery bills are higher.
The Food Foundation charity estimates that 18% of households experienced food insecurity in September, based on its own survey data.
‘It matters to us’
Jamie Moreland
BBC News
Shuheda Begum has been using the Cultural Food Hub, a community food bank in Leeds, for two weeks.
“I don’t get anything for myself, I just get things for the children,” she says.
The 37-year-old single mother of three says she can’t afford essentials after her rent and bills went up.
“It’s hard to survive, I’m so stressed,” she explains. “My house is freezing and my small child is wheezing. He always gets a cold and a cough so I have to keep him warm.
"But if I pay the bills, I have nothing to buy food or clothes for the children. How are we going to manage?”
Shuheda gets vegetables, bread and tinned goods from the food hub.
“We make Asian food like chapati and rice. It’s helping a lot and matters to us because we’re used to eating food from our parents’ heritage.”
Shuheda is hoping that things will get better: “We have to keep positive and pray. I want my kids to get a good education, good job and live a good life.”
What's the most cost-effective way to make soup?
Justine Pattison
Food writer and home economist
Sophie is keen to find out whether it's cheaper to make a soup on the stove or with an electric soup maker.
I think you’re better making it on the stove as you can cook larger quantities than a soup maker can hold, and will be able to freeze the extra portions.
Also, you won’t have the upfront cost of the soup maker which could take a long time to recoup.
On the hob, you can reduce energy costs by cutting ingredients into smaller pieces, so they cook more quickly - and by always covering your pan with a lid, so you can cook over a lower heat.
What are food prices like around the world?
Dharshini David
Economics Correspondent
For a typical grocery shop, you’ll need £60 just to purchase what £50 did a year ago; food prices are up by over 16%.
But this is a global crisis, driven by higher grain, oil, fertiliser, energy and labour costs.
Our pain isn’t unique. According to the World Bank, almost every poor country and almost 9 out of 10 wealthy ones have food price inflation of over 5%.
For some, it’s way higher – in Turkey food is 99% more expensive than a year ago, in Lebanon 208%.
Domestic economic crises and currency fluctuations (foodstuffs traded internationally are often priced in dollars) doesn’t help.
And the global price of hunger is eyewatering.
The World Food Programme estimate over 200 million people will experience acute food security - where they can’t get enough food (be it due to shortages or price) to avoid livelihoods or lives being at risk.
The wholesale prices of some items have started to ease. But we’re a long way from a return to an era of cheaper food.
Seven satisfying meals for £1 a head
Seven family meals for under £30? It can be done.
Here we share recipes from BBC Food's budget-friendly meal plan that covers a week's worth of dinners for four adults, coming in at under £28 in total.
All the recipes are flexible too, so you can swap in different ingredients to make the most of leftovers and supermarket deals.
The meal plan sticks to a strict ingredient budget of £7 per person for the week, which averages out at just under £1 per portion.
What's more, most of the costs are based on the smallest available packet size, meaning even if you don’t use a whole jar or packet, the entire cost is still included in the budget.
‘We’re swapping turkey for chicken this year’
Lisa-Anne Campbell is a mum-of-two from Hertfordshire who says that rising energy bills and food prices mean she is cutting back in all areas, including Christmas.
She says that for Christmas lunch, the family will be swapping roast turkey for chicken and honey-roasted parsnips for frozen peas to keep costs down.
"We've got enough to pay for, and Christmas lunch just isn't the priority right now," she says.
She's not alone. In a survey of 2,000 people, consumer group Which? found that nearly half of those planned to cut costs this Christmas because of living costs, which many deciding to buy fewer gifts.
Read more: Christmas dinner cost jumps as chipolata prices soar
Should I shop now to save on Christmas dinner?
Most of us see our grocery bills spiral over the festive season as we stock up the cupboards ready for Christmas celebrations.
There are ways to rein in our spending without necessarily having to forego our favourite festive treats, says Citizens Advice - but it may take some forward thinking. “Make a budget and stick to it,” a statement by the charity-run information service advises.
Once you’ve nailed down your grocery budget, ask yourself which foods are most important to you at Christmas and which you might not miss.
Mitch Lane runs TikTok account Meals by Mitch, where he shares videos of himself preparing meals for four with a strict budget of £5.
“Just because it's traditional to have turkey doesn't mean we have to,” he says. “If you’re not bothered by it, get a cheaper cut of meat like a chicken or a gammon joint.”
And hunt for those bargains. Nearly all the major supermarkets have sections on their websites which detail their weekly offers. So, before you shop, look to see if there are any deals on the items on your Christmas list – you may be able to bag them at a reduced price.
Read more: BBC Food's tips for a cheaper Christmas dinner
How do you bulk up a meal to fill your stomach and make that energy last?
Justine Pattison
Food writer and home economist
Eighteen-year-old Saf, from Portsmouth, asks which foods are more likely to fill you up and give you the most energy.
Cost-effective, slow release carbohydrates are probably the way to go for you, Saf.
I suggest you start by making a really big batch of soup containing lots of seasonal vegetables and beans or lentils.
The fibre in the vegetables and pulses will help keep you feeling full and one large pot of soup could be eaten over a few days. You could liven portions up with curry paste or other spices too.
The same goes for any stews or curries that you like and you could cook in bulk – use a slow cooker if you have one. Make sure you use lots of vegetables and beans or lentils too. Dried lentils are cheap and they’re one of those ingredients where a little goes a long way.
For breakfast, porridge makes a filling and cheap alternative to sugary breakfast cereals. Don’t be tempted to buy the instant porridge pots though, as they are often loaded with sugar and cost a lot more per portion than making your own.
Avoid snacking on chocolate, crisps and sugary foods if you can, as they could cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, leaving you feeling hungry just a short while later.
You should aim to eat a range of nutrient-dense foods each day. These don’t have to be the most expensive foods but will include wholegrains, affordable fruit and vegetables, dairy and protein.
For lots of ideas, click here.
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