Slimming World's local weight-loss expert Claire Bond from Suffolk says: "Unsurprisingly, losing weight on a budget has been a hot topic in Slimming World communities in recent weeks. I'm always amazed by what a treasure trove of useful information our Slimming World groups are. Members share low-cost recipes and top tips for saving money, as well as tracking down bargains and special offers, so it's easy to know where to go for the best deals locally. They often pop them on their closed Facebook group too."

Eight top tips to slim and save

1.   Batch cooking

Preparing and making meals for the days and weeks ahead was the most popular piece of advice from slimmers. From soups and sauces to ready-made roasted vegetables that can be stored in the freezer, critical to this money-saving tactic is ensuring no food is thrown away.

2.   Meal planning

Hitting the supermarket armed with a shopping list also ranked highly as a cost-saving slimming strategy. Slimmers said they planned their meals, made a list and stuck to it. Not only did this enable them to stay on track with their weight loss, they also only bought what they needed and had budgeted for. Some Slimming World members also suggested committing to only visiting stores once a week, shopping online and paying in cash so you're physically unable to go over an allocated budget.

3.   Use your freezer

As well as stocking their freezers with batch cooked dishes, Slimming World members showed a depth of knowledge about the many foods that can be frozen, including milk, bread, eggs and more, to avoid food wastage.

4.   Buy own brand

A simple change many Slimming World members reported having made to reduce their food budget was swapping to supermarket own brand products, including 'essentials' ranges, for many grocery items.

5.   Save energy

With rising energy bills, lots of slimmers have also been paying attention to which appliances in their home use the most power. From reading manuals to select the most economical settings to ensuring the oven is full when it's on, slimmers are being super savvy with their cooking choices. Microwaves, slow cookers and airfryers are all popular ways for slimmers to prepare hot healthy meals without turning on the oven.

6.   Bulk out meals

With some foods costing more than others, slimmers are taking inspiration from times gone by and adding cheaper, more filling ingredients, such as root veg and pulses, to meals to bulk them out.

7.   Shop smarter

Opting for tinned and frozen veg, selecting seasonal fresh produce and looking out for wonky veg are all great ways to cut the cost without compromising on the healthfulness of your weekly shop, according to slimmers. Buying from local markets can also be more economical and websites like 'Too Good to Go' sell food that otherwise would be wasted at low prices.

8.   Bag the best offers

Lots of slimmers recommended shopping in the evening when lots of items are reduced, while others expounded the benefits of supermarket loyalty card discounts and cashback voucher schemes.

"There's no better place for support to help put you in control than a Slimming World group, where there will be absolutely no judgement – just understanding, trust, friendship, community spirit and lots of fun and laughter."

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