IT ALMOST sounds too good to be true, but a family of four can eat a tasty, wholesome meal for less than 80 cent a head.
Northern Ireland’s Health Promotions Agency (HPA) has launched a website showing people how to do it and, despite well-documented euro-sterling price differentials, eating on such a strict budget is also possible, in the Republic.
The HPA site, www.enjoyhealthyeating.info, is aimed at confronting rising levels of obesity in the North and warns cash-strapped consumers against turning to ready meals or fast food which they “mistakenly believe to be a cheaper option”.
Dr Brian Gaffney, the agency’s chief executive, said that with food prices rising and wages falling, many people were trying to cut back on their grocery spending but, he said, “by cutting down on ready meals and takeaways and preparing more home-cooked meals it is possible to keep the costs down and stay healthy at the same time.”
He said Northern Ireland was facing an obesity crisis – some 64 per cent of men and 53 per cent of women in the North are now overweight or obese. “The featured recipes are easy to make, everyday meals that anyone can prepares and can cost as little as £3 for a family meal for four,” he concluded.
Among the value meals on the site are spaghetti bacon, hot pork and bean salad, “Ulster-style” pizzas – essentially ham and cheese topping and soda farls – tuna pasta, a cheesey bean dish and a bread and apple pudding.
Jean O’Brien, of the website www.cheapeats.ie, says that while it might be possible to feed a family of four for little more than €3, people might be better advised setting their limit just a little higher.
“If you want to get quality food for that price then I think you’d need to really shop around and visit three or four supermarkets and an ethnic store. Not many people have the time or energy to do that. You would also need to know your way around the kitchen so you could spice up otherwise dull dishes,” she said.
Food writer Tom Doorley disagreed and said it was not only possible to eat well on such a spartan budget, it could also be more enjoyable. He pointed towards cheap but frequently overlooked cuts of meat such as ham hocks, shin of beef, pork belly and neck of lamb which can be bought in butcher shops for not much more than €2.
And he also highlighted Irish staples like coddle as offering people a cheap alternative. “The only thing is, it looks hideous but if you can get over that it tastes great. I think it is mad to spend a lot of money on food when you can eat so cheaply. The great dishes of the world are mostly the foods of the poor and involve long, slow cooking periods. To eat cheaply is actually more fun.”
MENU FOR OUR TIMES: CHEAP BUT HEALTHY
Cheesy bean crunch
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped €0.26
2 spring onions (scallions) €0.20
2 rashers back bacon €0.50
1 dessertspoon unsaturated oil, eg rapeseed, sunflower or corn oil €0.05
1 clove garlic crushed or 1 teaspoon garlic granules €0.05
1 vegetable or chicken stock cube dissolved in 150ml boiling water €0.10
400g can chopped tomatoes €0.70
2 x 400g cans of beans, eg 1 can red kidney beans, 1 can black- eyed beans €2.20
Teaspoon chilli powder €0.05
Pepper €0.01
3 slices wholemeal or white bread, crumbed €0.30
75g (3oz) mature cheddar cheese, grated €0.75
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Total €5.07
Tuna Pasta
500g penne pasta €0.60
230g can chopped tomatoes with herbs €0.75
185g can tuna in spring water €0.90
Small red or yellow pepper €0.50
1 spring onion (scallion) €0.10
1 teaspoon unsaturated oil €0.05
Chives to garnish (optional) €0.20
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Total €3.10
* Prices from Tesco Ireland
* Meals from www.enjoyhealthyeating.info
