Food insecurity and expensive grocery bills are a prevalent dilemma among university students struggling to afford their nutritional dietary needs.
Since early 2022, several monetary policies have attempted to mitigate inflation by one to three per cent amid the country’s exorbitant cost of living. Yet food prices and housing have consistently spiraled by 8.9 per cent and 6.9 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
However, tackling high inflation is not as simple as one might think. Beyond the limitations of policy efforts, uncontrollable socio-economic forces are causing students to further struggle with maintaining a nutritious, frugal diet. According to Business Economist Professor George Bragues at the University of Guelph-Humber, one wrong move in the global economic infrastructure can elicit severe counterproductive repercussions.
As a result, the Bank of Canada is employing a common method known as soft landing, which slows down economic growth to prevent possible recession, according to Professor Bragues.
Additionally, Canada’s economic measures to support sanctions against Russia have significantly hindered import services by 74 per cent, causing domestic businesses to lose tremendous revenue.
As a result, the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University posit consumers can expect five to seven per cent increase in food prices throughout 2023, specifically in dairy, vegetables, and meat.
Despite current economic indicators suggesting inflation rate will fluctuate for an extensive period, Professor David Ma from the University of Guelph’s Department of Human Health and Sciences offers several key insights into developing sustainable shopping habits.
“One very important strategy, especially if a student is on a budget, is to find those recipes you are interested in making, then make a shopping list and then stick to that shopping list,” Says Professor Ma.
In fact, a recent consumer survey by Nielsen IQ found rising food prices is a prevalent issue among Canadians as people are purchasing fewer groceries. The survey also unveiled 43 per cent of consumers are following a tight budget when buying meat, dairy, and fresh produce.
Fortunately, there are several budget-friendly approaches to grocery shopping for one to consider:
- Due to the exorbitant cost of wheat, invest your money in cheaper and nutrient-dense substitutes of whole grain products
2. Consider buying fresh produce only when available in season, otherwise invest in canned or frozen alternatives.
3. Digital platforms like Flipp or Rebee offer a plethora of weekly coupons across grocery chains to help find affordable brands at discounted prices.
4. Cooking from scratch is another effective way to cut down costs, but avoid purchasing value-added ingredients such as pre-grated cheese and
chopped onions with supplemental additives that do not contribute to enhancing one’s nutritional diet.
“Be knowledgeable about food skills and nutritional literacy,” Says Professor Ma “there are many quick and easy recipes that one can get off the internet or YouTube videos. Focusing on simple meals would be a good strategy.”
Start exploring own-label products like Great Value as opposed to premium brands with high retail prices and consider adding creative substitutes for expensive ingredients that are devoid of nutrition and vitamins. In fact, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, here are a few ideas for healthier replacements:
- Consider brown rice as a substitute for quinoa
2. Instead of chewing on granola bars, choose cooked oats
3. Consider chicken thighs as a substitute for chicken breasts
4. Consider Tofu or lentils as better alternatives for meat substitute
5. Purchase canned plum tomatoes instead of fresh plum tomatoes
6. Buy omega-3 eggs instead of regular eggs
7. Instead of acai or Goji berries, opt for dried cranberries or raisins
Furthermore, a recent study from Oxford University asserts a flexitarian approach to dieting, which includes a meld of plant-based sustenance and a limited consumption of meat, fish or poultry, can effectively cut food costs up to one third in high-income economies.
In fact, Canada’s Food Guide enumerates a comprehensive list of recommendations and examples of a plant-based diet that melds a balanced consumption of animal products. The guide also suggests incorporating half your daily meal plan with fruits and vegetables, a quarter of whole grains and the remaining portion with protein-enriched food, which is at least 75 per cent plant-based that is affordable and rich in nutrients.
“Simply ask the questions: what is being sold, how is it being marketed, and is this value for the money I am paying?” says Professor Ma.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned grocery chains on imposing possible taxation measures should they fail to reach an agreement on stabilizing food prices.
To tackle this issue, Professor Ma currently leads the Guelph Family Health study, a research program designed to implement long-term dietary measures for Canadian families to create a healthy, well-balanced routine for eating, physical activity and reduced screen time.
“As part of our research we have developed family-friendly recipes which are easy and quick to prepare, inexpensive and nutritious.”
