Keeping the family fed is a challenge with inflation at its highest in 20 years and grocery costs up more than 10%. But fear not – we’ve crunched the numbers and prepared the meals plans that will save your wallet and your health. We’ll be sharing 3 tasty, nutritious meals for the family that will thrill the kids and adults alike.

With a recession looming on the horizon, many families are scrambling to figure out a way to slash their weekly expenses. We’re here to prove that it is possible – with the 8-Week Program’s exclusive recipes and meal plans, you can easily trim your grocery costs. Take a look at these 3 I Quit Sugar meals where we show you how to feed a family of 4 for around $25.00 all up, ranging from just $1.00 to $6.00 per serve. Yep – it's possible, we promise.   

Why Plan Ahead?

Planning your meals ahead of the game saves you both time and money – instead of making a difficult meal with overpriced ingredients or giving up and buying unhealthy takeaway, you’ll know exactly what you’re spending and how to slash those costs even further – and with the 8-Week Program, we’ve done all the work for you. Our recipes and meal plans are expertly-crafted to nourish the whole family. From comforting brekkies to hearty dinners and fun snacks, we’ve got you covered. We also have an extensive range of gluten-free, vegetarian, paleo and dairy-free options for your dietary needs, making it as easy as possible to quit the sweet stuff and save money too. Now, let’s get into those 3 affordable meals.

1. Foolproof Gluten-Free Pancakes

Let’s start off with a fun and satisfying brekkie – and who doesn’t love pancakes? This recipe will thrill the kids, without the sugar crash. Loaded with slow-release whole grains and healthy fats, these pancakes will get the whole family’s day off to a good start. Say goodbye to those 3 o’clock slumps! Check out the full recipe HERE.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients and the overall cost to whip these pancakes up:

1. 2 eggs: A dozen is $4.90, so 2 eggs are worth approx. $0.80
2. 1 cup milk of choice: 1 litre of oat milk is $5.00, so 1 cup is worth $1.25
3. 1 cup buckwheat flour: A 500g pack is $5.00, so 1 cup is worth $1.25
4. 1 cup almond meal: A 400g pack is $6.50, so 1 cup is approx. $2.00
5. 1 teaspoon baking powder: A 125g container is approx. $3.00, so 1 teaspoon is approx. $0.10
6. Tablespoon coconut oil: A 300g container is $4.75, so a tablespoon is worth approx. $0.25

Total price for a family of 4:  $5.65

Price per serve: Approx. $1.40

Note: You might have some of these ingredients already sitting in the fridge or pantry – meaning you can slash the price even further! We’ve calculated each ingredient price using range of supermarkets and grocers to give you an idea of what’s available.

2. Lemon Ricotta Pasta

This makes for a delicious lunch or dinner whether the family’s home together or out at school and work – simply pack it in a thermos or sealed container. This creamy pasta dish takes just 15 minutes to whip up, plus it’s loaded with affordable and nutritious ingredients. Check out the full recipe HERE.

Let’s get into the ingredient price breakdown:

1. 250 grams pasta: A 500-gram pack is $1.00, so 250 grams is $0.50
2. 4 cups spinach: 1 280-gram bag is $5.00, 4 cups (approx. 120 grams spinach) is approx. $2.20
3. 1 tablespoon coconut oil: A 300g container is $4.75, so a tablespoon is worth approx. $0.25
4. 1 onion: 1 loose onion is $0.45
5. 3 cloves garlic: 1 garlic head is $1.45, so 3 cloves are around $0.15
6. ½ a lemon: A pack of 4 lemons is $2.30 (imperfect picks), so 2 are worth approx. $0.50
7. ½ cup ricotta: A 375-gram tub is $3.30, so half a cup is around $1.10
8. 2 teaspoons dried basil: 1 14-gram pack is $1.95, so 2 teaspoons is approx. $0.60
9. 2 cups steamed greens (broccoli): 1 broccoli head is worth $1.19, so 2 cups should be approx. $0.60

Total price for a family of 4:  $6.35

Price per serve: Approx. $1.60 

3. One-pan Lemony Herb-Baked Drumsticks

This quick, easy and cheap family meal is packed with flavour, you won’t believe it costs less than $4 per serve. It’s ideal for a Friday night family dinner hectic weeknight when you don’t want to lose hours to the stove. Check out the full recipe HERE.

Let’s get into the ingredient price breakdown:

1. 3 tablespoons coconut oil: A 300g container is $4.75, so 3 tablespoons are worth approx. $0.75
2. 8 chicken drumsticks: 1kg of free-range drumsticks are $6.00
3. 400g baby potatoes: A 750-gram pack is $3.00, so 400 grams is worth $1.20
4. 2 red onions: 1 red onion is approx. $0.50, so 2 are worth $1.00
5. 2 teaspoons dried oregano: A 60-gram container is $3.00, so 2 teaspoons are worth just under $0.50
6. 2 lemons: A pack of 4 lemons is $2.30 (imperfect picks), so 2 are worth approx. $1.00
7. 4 cups broccoli: 1 broccoli head is worth $1.19
8. 4 cups baby spinach: 1 280-gram bag is $5.00, 4 cups (approx. 120 grams spinach) is approx. $2.20

Total price for a family of 4:  $13.81

Price per serve: $3.45

Total cost for all 3 meals: $25.81

Note: If you can find cheaper greens or other ingredients that are on sale, opt for those instead. The beauty of these meals is that they can always be updated to be more affordable depending on seasonal produce and sales.

Keen for more health and nutrition tips? We’re here to help. Join us for the 8-Week Program where we’ll be quitting sugar and turning our health dreams into a reality. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to JOIN NOW!