Making a packed lunch can save you money

When you’re at work and it gets to lunchtime, it’s so easy to just nip to the nearest sandwich shop or grab a meal deal. But how much is that costing you in the long run? And is there a cheaper option?

Well, new figures from Ocado show that cost-of-living pressures are prompting more people to take a packed lunch with them to work.

In fact, almost half of UK professionals (46%) take packed lunches with them to work more often than they did this time last year.

And many are doing so simply to save money.

More than two-thirds (69%) say buying lunch near the office has got too expensive.

And almost three-quarters (72%) believe bringing their own food with them helps them manage their household finances better.

Food inflation tipped to soar

Factors such as the Iran war, droughts and El Niño are all pushing up prices for food manufacturers, with the cost of energy, ingredients, transport, logistics and packaging all increasing.

And that affects how much businesses can charge and what we end up paying for food.

The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) believes average food inflation could reach from 2.9% to 3.9% this year, before rising to 5.6% to 6.6% in 2027.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that people are looking for practical ways to spend less on food and choosing more affordable lunch options.

But I haven’t got time to make my own lunches

Yes, popping to the nearest shop for a quick sandwich is really convenient, especially when you’re having a busy day at work.

And making food for the next day is probably the last thing you want to do when you get home after a long day.

So just take baby steps to get you into the habit, perhaps by prepping lunches for two or three days instead of a whole week.

You’ll soon see how it easy it is and realise what difference it’s making to your wallet.

What easy meal lunches could I make?

Ideally, a packed lunch should be filling, contain a bit of protein and have some veg or fruit, so we’d recommend things like:

• pasta pots
• rice bowls
• soup in a flask
• jacket potatoes
• wraps and sandwiches
• leftovers from last night’s tea

We’ve put together a few recipes and ways to liven up your lunches here.