Health – Nutrition matters more now

In a world of growing global uncertainty, many of us are becoming more conscious of the cost of food and what we put in our shopping trolley each week.

There has also been a lot of messaging recently around growing your own food, planting vegetable gardens and becoming more self-sufficient. And to be clear, I think growing vegetables is a wonderful thing to do. It connects us to our food, encourages us to eat more fresh produce and can certainly help stretch the grocery budget further.

But I also think there is an important nutrition conversation missing from all of this.

Vegetables are valuable for fibre, vitamins and minerals, but they are not particularly rich in the nutrients that keep us full, stabilise our energy and help maintain strength and muscle mass as we age.

When budgets are tight, it becomes even more important to think strategically about optimal nutrition – not just how to fill the plate, but how to properly nourish the body.

Protein is one of the most important nutrients we can prioritise.

Protein helps keep blood sugar stable, supports immune function and helps maintain muscle mass, which becomes increasingly important as we get older. It is also one of the key nutrients that helps us feel satisfied after meals, reducing the constant hunger and snacking that can end up costing more over time.

Healthy fats also play an important role. They help absorb key vitamins, support hormone and brain health, and slow digestion so meals keep us fuller for longer.

This does not mean expensive health foods or fancy supplements. In fact, some of the best nutritional options are often the simplest.

Tinned fish such as sardines, tuna and salmon are excellent pantry staples and provide protein, healthy fats and important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Eggs remain one of the most affordable and nutritious foods available. Frozen chicken, cheaper cuts of meat for slow cooking, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, nuts and even milk powder can all be practical options when trying to balance nutrition with affordability.

Vegetables absolutely deserve a place on the plate, and if you can grow some of your own produce, even better. But when thinking about long-term nourishment – especially during financially stressful times – it is worth making sure we also prioritise the foods that truly sustain us.

Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is focus on simple, nourishing basics that help us feel strong, steady and satisfied, both physically and financially.