As the cost of living crisis continues, many are seeking ways to cut down on food expenses.
But one woman claims she has found some budget-friendly recipes that could ease the burden on a family of four. Lauren Leyva gained widespread attention for her simple recipes that provide four portions for under £5.
She originally trained as an architect but now runs a full-time food business called The Starving Student, which is committed to low-waste, low-cost meals. The 26-year-old’s innovative approach has resonated online, earning millions of views with a variety of affordable meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan recipes while emphasizing minimal food waste.
“I was a student for seven years and completed my architect training,” Lauren says. “But setting up my food and recipe business through university is now a full-time business and helps over 70,000 people save money while eating well.”
Her passion for cooking started at a young age, inspired by her Spanish father. “My dad taught me to cook from the age of four,” she recalls. “Cooking remains the biggest bonding activity between us, and he was the reason I originally started sharing food photos on social media.”
Lauren’s popularity soared during the COVID-19 lockdown when she was asked to lead a BBC radio segment called “Tasty Tuesdays.” During this time, people were forced to cook at home with limited ingredients, and her low-cost, low-waste recipes quickly gained traction.
One of her most popular dishes, a tomato soup recipe, has been viewed by over a million people. “That tomato soup recipe resulted in 16,000 new social media followers, and the recipe was saved by over 20,000 people. I make four portions of it for under £5,” she says.
The recipe‘s simplicity is part of its appeal. Using just three main ingredients—garlic, tomatoes, and red pepper—Lauren crafted a roasted tomato, red pepper, and garlic soup. “I wanted to create a recipe that required only what I had in the fridge at the time. The internet agreed with its low cost and minimal ingredients.”
Lauren also shares tips for saving money during the weekly shop. “When you go to the supermarket, crouch down and look at the lower shelves,” she advises. “These are typically where the cheaper, unbranded products are placed. Also, look at the price per 100g or unit rather than the main price to find the best deals.”
She recommends stocking up on long-lasting items like tinned or jarred foods and advises batch cooking to save time and money. “Batch cooking is especially great for students and families with limited time. Spend a night cooking two big meals and freeze portions for later.”
Lauren is passionate about reducing food waste. “Wasted food is your hard-earned money down the drain. Stretching the life of food will save you money.” She encourages planning meals ahead, organizing the fridge, and avoiding impulse buys by always shopping with a list.
Lauren’s commitment to helping others save money and reduce waste extends to her meal planners available on her website. “I hope I can continue inspiring those in need of help or inspiration in the kitchen,” she concludes.
