Brand V Budget | Food | Natural Yogurt

One basic weekly shop item that I like to save on is yogurt. We have a little tradition of having fruit, yogurt and muesli/granola as a weekend breakfast.

So this is something I currently buy once a week, but depending on my diet at the time I may buy more. For instance if I am being careful I have been known to use this in smoothies, salads (to make the mayo go further calorie wise), and as a 'dessert' alternative (with honey), I've even used it to make white sauce for lasagna and moussaka.

I always used to purchase the Yeo Valley yogurt, and on several occasions it wasn't in stock so I had to use an alternative, usually Tesco's own brand standard version, then I got a little brave and tried the value one, to be perfectly honest I don't know why I didn't do that sooner.

See below for a comparison of the yogurts I have tried and what the annual cost would be. Just to be clear the only ingredient in each of the below yogurts is Milk, as I would hope, watch out however as some of the low fat yogurts on the shelves contain thickeners such as modified maize starch (cornflour I think).

All low fat natural yogurt is fairly runny, all I do, say if I want a thicker consistency is strain it myself. It might sound like a lot of work but it's much cheaper than thick Greek yogurt, and the strained ones are much nicer, but more expensive than those that contain thickening agents. To thicken, I place a non fluffy clean tea towel or piece of muslin cloth in a sieve, I then balance the sieve over a large jug/bowl, add the yogurt into the tea towel and cover, leaving in the fridge over night. In the morning you will have a really thick, creamy yogurt! Truth be told I went through a phase of making my own yogurt, but it's a fairly lengthy process and it's so much easier to just buy it.

1 pot per week @ £0.45 (52 X 0.45 = £23.40 PER YEAR) 

1 pot per week @ £0.90 (52 X 0.90 = £46.80) 

£23.40 more expensive than Tesco Everyday Value over the course of a year

1 pot per week @ £1.50 (52 X 1.50 = £78) 

£31.20 more expensive than Tesco Own Brand over the course of a year

£54.60 more expensive than Tesco Everyday Value over the course of a year

And, here's the end result, I can afford to spend a little more on a healthy sugar alternative such as date nectar or agave nectar (derived from cacti), and a really delicious granola or muesli.

Now you've read this, is this something you currently save on? If not, is it something you will consider on your next supermarket shop? 

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Beloved dates | Review

I am always looking for sugar replacements, and alternative ingredients for cooking and baking.

My opinion is, why use processed sugar, when there may be something else out there that sweetens, but is also good for you in other ways. Let's face it sugar has no real benefit other than taste, however there are starchy fruit and vegetables out there such as beetroot, carrots an sweet potato which can eliminate the need for sugar and in some cases eliminate the need for fat in baking also.

The sugar alternative that I am talking about today is made from dates.

Date Nectar £3.49 for 340g

*prices vary depending on the supermarket, currently on offer in ASDA for £2

This thick, sweet syrup has a lovely rich flavour similar to muscavado sugar/molasses. This syrup is different and perfectly natural, it's made from naturally occurring sugar found in dates and contains Manganese, Magnesium and Potassium 

Magnesium is an essential mineral for healthy living, benefits include transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.

Manganese -Some of the health benefits of manganese include a benefit to healthy bone structure, bone metabolism, and helping to create essential enzymes for building bones. It also acts as a co-enzyme to assist metabolic activity in the human body. Other health benefits of manganese include the formation of connective tissues, absorption of calcium, proper functioning of the thyroid gland, regulation of blood sugar level, and metabolism of fats and carbs.

Potassium Health benefits include relief from stroke, blood pressure, heart and kidney disorders, anxiety and stress, as well as enhanced muscle strength, metabolism, water balance, electrolytic functions, and nervous system.

Date Granola with almond and hazelnut £3.49 for 480g

*prices vary depending on the supermarket, currently on offer in ASDA for £2

This is made from wholegrain cereals is high in fibre making it a perfect tasty, yet healthy treat. This also contains manganese.

I was sent both of the above to try and they made for a fabulous weekend brunch, as you can see above. I just layered some natural yogurt with the granola and then squeezed a generous helping of the nectar on top, it was absolutely dreamy. Even my other half, who says he doesn't like nuts, happily went back for seconds and was even just even the granola straight out of the bag at one point!

These products are delicious, yet beneficial to your health, what more could you want? 

They may seem a little expensive, however it's a small price to pay for the health benefits and a little does go a long way, especially in the case of the nectar.

This company also sells a range of healthy yet satisfying snack bars and a granola, please check https://www.belovedates.com/our-products/ for more details on their products and https://www.belovedates.com/ for some fantastic recipes.

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*PR sample