Buying on a budget is tough, especially with kids heading back to school and needing lunches every day.

If it is a struggle for you to provide a lunch every single day, Melanie Warken, a Public Health Nutritionist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, has some advice for those in need.

Simple steps like buying in bulk to reduce the price per unit is a simple tip, but heading to the drawing board may be your first step.

"We recommend sitting down with a weekly calendar to plan meals and also it's really important to involve family members so you're including food that everyone really enjoys," Warken explained. "By having a meal plan it helps you to only buy and cook the foods you need."

The meal plan also helps you look in your cupboards and use what you have in there before going out and purchasing unnecessary items.

When you are shopping, looking at the budget brands is also an important step.

"When you're at the grocery store, some things you can do are check your brands and check the prices per unit," Warken advises. "So often generic brands will be cheaper than any other brand names and they often have a similar nutritional and taste quality."

Warken also suggests that you consider the season when buying fruits and veggies. In the winter, those items can be a little more expensive. Buying canned and frozen alternatives may be a cheaper alternative and they also cut down on food waste.