Ten ways to save on food bills

Five tips to downsize dinner

1. Turn leftovers into another meal. Baked chicken one night might be fajitas the next night, or a chicken salad, or chicken topped pizza.

2. Use less meat in your meals. Meat is an expensive way to get your protein. Get your kids used to not having meat as the centrepiece of a meal. Use less by mixing it with beans or grains. Great examples are chilli burritos and stir-fries. Have meatless meals once or twice a week.

3. Breakfast is a great dinner. For a light dinner, omelettes or a bowl of cereal with fruit can be quick, nutritious and filling.

4. Bin the junk! Commercial snack foods are costly and usually unhealthy. Most kids love to dip. Make a spinach dip and serve with fresh veggies or a fruit dip with fresh fruit. The dip will last two to three days in the fridge and you can keep cut up fruit and veggies available in the fridge for after-school snack attacks.

5. Make more now, save later. When making soups, stews and chilies, freeze the extra in ziplock bags to pull out for meals as needed.