It is incredibly difficult to eat healthy while on a budget. Healthy food is just more expensive than junk. It can be easy to give up on your New Year’s Resolutions to eat healthier and save money when you are faced with the high prices of health foods. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of seven budget-friendly and healthy foods that you should add to your meal planning.
- Oats – Instead of buying expensive (and unhealthy) individual servings of oatmeal, purchase rolled oats and create your own oatmeal masterpiece. Oatmeal is full of fiber and protein and can cost as little as 30 cents a serving. This way you also have more control over your calories as you can choose your own mix-ins (bananas, berries or other fruits, spices, raisins, etc.)
- Cost Effective Fruit – While pineapple, pomegranates and berries can cost an arm and a leg, bananas, apples and oranges are a very affordable option. Besides, these fruits are easy to transport and don’t need to be refrigerated like some of the others. If you tend to not eat your fruits before they go bad, consider purchasing frozen fruit blends for smoothies.
- Beans – Beans are an inexpensive protein-packed health food. Buy dried beans when they go on sale as they can last on your shelf for up to a year. You can use beans as a substitute for meat in tacos, soups, burgers, and can even be pureed to replace butter in baked goods.
- Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes – Potatoes are a very budget friendly and healthy food. They are a rich source of potassium, fiber, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes are even more nutritious than regular potatoes, and are just as easy to prepare. Use them in stews, mashed potatoes, fries, or just eat a baked potato.
- Eggs – Eggs are full of protein and unsaturated fat. They are easy to prepare and are very versatile. You can eat them scrambled, poached, over-easy, hard-boiled, deviled, and more.
- Rice – Rice is an inexpensive and healthy food. It digests slowly, making you feel full for longer. Brown rice is even healthier than white rice, containing fiber and B vitamins, so buy a big bag today.
- Peanuts – Peanuts offer a healthy snack without a ton of calories. Buy unsalted peanuts from the grocery store and keep them at your desk if you get the munchies. Peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, and are linked to healthy hearts and longevity.