Visits to the supermarket can be extended further by buying foods that are in season and purchasing vegetables, an expert says.

It has also been claimed that people should not feel obliged to eat meat on a daily basis, according to a representative from Easy Cook.

Sarah Giles, editor at Easy Cook, said: "Cook vegetable-based dishes at least two or three times a week and you will save a significant amount on your weekly bill."

Ms Giles also said that processed and ready-made foods should be removed from diets, as they are expensive as well as being high in fat, calories and salt, while in-season foods are "plentiful" and cheaper.

This news comes after the British Retail Consortium revealed that food inflation increased to 4.4 per cent in October, which is a 0.4 per cent rise from the previous month.

Also, the organisation said that the price of wheat has increased by 47 per cent from 2009.