5 A Day on a budget

It doesn't have to cost a lot to get your 5 A Day. Here are some cheaper ways to stock up on fruit and veg.

Read our top tips on how to include more fruit and vegetables in your diet while still saving money.

10 top tips to get 5 A Day on a budget

• Buy fruit and vegetables loose rather than pre-packaged. Loose fruit and veg can be as little as half the price. 
• Fruit and vegetables are usually cheaper if they're in season. You can find out what's in season on the Love British Food website. 
• Fruit and vegetables are often cheaper at your local street or farmers' market. You can find your nearest one in this directory of farmers' markets.
• Replace your morning or afternoon snack with a piece of fruit. A banana or an apple costs around 20p at the supermarket, about half the price of most chocolate bars or packets of crisps. The savings add up, and so do the health benefits.
• Don't throw away vegetables that are about to go out of date. Use them in stews, soups and casseroles, which you can freeze and eat another time. Read more about storing leftovers safely.
• Look for supermarket deals on fruit and vegetables, such as buy one get one free offers.
• Look for good deals on frozen and dried fruit and veg, such as frozen peas and dried pulses and beans. They're often cheaper than fresh varieties.
• Swap ready meals for homemade alternatives. Vegetables in dishes such as stews, bakes, casseroles and curries count towards your 5 A Day, and cooking these dishes yourself is often cheaper than buying them ready-made. 
• Stock up on canned fruit and vegetables. They count towards your 5 A Day and won't go off, so you can buy them in bulk. Buy canned fruit and veg, in water or fruit juice, without added salt or sugar. Supermarket own-brand varieties are usually the cheapest.
• Cook in bulk and freeze portions to eat another time. For more meal ideas, have a look at 5 A Day recipes.

Get more money-saving tips

Got a question about 5 A Day?

If you have an enquiry about 5 A Day that isn't answered in our 5 A Day FAQs, please email the 5 A Day team at Public Health England: enquiries@phe.gov.uk

Page last reviewed: Fri Sep 2018 Next review due: Tue Sep 2021