What Is the Cheapest Healthiest Food?
Cheapest healthiest food
What to eat and what to avoid are serious matters of concern for most of us. It is sometimes daunting to find food options that are healthy and fit our budget. Cheap foods are not necessarily unhealthy. Here is a list of some cheap and healthy foods that may range from less than $2 to a maximum of $4 a pound.
| Food names | Great for |
|---|---|
| Brown rice | Steamed rice, stew, and rice salad |
| Whole-wheat or multigrain pasta | Pasta dishes (hot and cold) with lots of greens |
| Oats | Hot/cold cereal, granola, and muffin crumb toppings for desserts |
| Whole-wheat bread | Sandwich and bread pudding |
| Frozen vegetables | Stews, side dishes, and casseroles |
| Russet potato | Baked potatoes with skin, salads, casseroles, and stews |
| Spinach | Salads, egg dishes, casseroles, soups, and stews |
| Broccoli | Casseroles, salads, and soups |
| Green cabbage | Salads, coleslaw, and sauerkraut (fermented form) |
| Canned tomatoes | Soups, casseroles, stews, and salads |
| Dried lentils | Casseroles, salads, soups stews, and boiled lentils |
| Canned refried beans | Nachos, dips, burritos, enchiladas and side dish |
| Frozen edamame (Soybeans) | Snacks, appetizers, side dish, combination with fried rice, stews, and casseroles |
| Carrots | Salads (raw or boiled), cooked dishes, and soups |
| Popcorn | Air-popped popcorn without salt or butter |
| Bananas | Snack, its combination with peanut butter or yogurt or whole wheat pancakes |
| Oranges | Snack, combination with yogurt, smoothies, and salads |
| Frozen berries | Snack, healthy dessert, smoothies, and salads |
| Apples | Snack and salads |
| Milk | Mild shakes, smoothies, and protein drink |
| Nonfat Greek yogurt | Snack, smoothies, and parfaits made with fruit and granola |
| Eggs | Boiled egg, omelet, chickpea egg salad, and scrambled fried rice |
| Canned marinara sauce | Pasta dishes, pizza, casseroles, appetizers, Italian sandwiches, and stews |
Here are a few tips to shop on a low budget.
Keep a watch on the sale:
Some items can be bought at much cheaper rates during the sale. These include foods such as fresh produce, lean meat, and low-fat dairy milk. Once you purchase food items during the sale, try to incorporate them into your diet by any of the ways—baking, broiling, or grilling.
Shop for seasonal foods:
There are times and places where fruits and vegetables are found at cheaper rates. Fruits and vegetables that grow abundantly and are found plentiful during their particular seasons are known as seasonal fruits or vegetables. These seasonal foods are found at much cheaper rates. Moreover, look for the local produce in your area. They are most likely to be very low on your budget.
Frozen or canned alternatives:
Frozen or canned foods can be just as nutritious as fresh foods. This is because the process of freezing and canning preserves most of the nutrients. These items are budget-friendly, too, which is good for your pockets. Remember to look at the labels and select ones that are low in salt and sugar.