Some days I'm just so busy so I have to steal great information I come across online. I liked this list because these are foods that we may forget about plus they are nutritious and don't break the bank!! Additionally these foods can remind you of other similar foods you like that may be healthy as well as inexpensive. For example, lentils are mentioned below and that reminded me of black beans. Very inexpensive and very nutritious. I like to rinse a can of black beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans and keep them ready-to-go in the refrigerator for an easy grab to top salads or accompany my veggie and rice or quinoa dishes.
#1: Carrots
Cost: $0.89 per 1 pound bag (about 9 carrots)
Beta-carotene has more benefits than meets the eyes. It also helps promote healthy bones, skin and hair. Make carrot soup, add to a stir-fry, or slice into strips for an easy kids snack.
#2: Low fat cottage cheese
Cost: $2.75 per 16-ounce container
This perfect combo of protein, carbs and fat will help keep you satisfied. It’ll also give you a boost of calcium with 10% of your daily recommended dosage in every ½ cup serving. If you’ve been passing this underappreciated food in your dairy aisle, check out more reasons why we love it.
#3: Canned Tuna
Cost: $1.00 per 5 -ounce can
Buying in bulk or on sale will save even more on this popular protein. If you’re a tuna salad lover, don’t make the common mistake of drowning it in artery clogging fat! Instead, try adding avocado or dijon mustard.
#4: Apples
Cost: $0.79 each
This easy-to-tote snack is one of the most budget-friendly fruits around. They are full of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
#5: Natural Peanut Butter
Portion control is key with peanut butter. Use the recommended 2 tablespoon serving and you’ll get 13 servings out of each 15-ounce jar. That’s 17 cents per portion. For snacks, 1 tablespoon is recommended– so you’ll get 26 servings (or 8.5 cents per portion). Talk about hitting the budget-friendly jackpot!
#6: Rolled Oats
Cost: 2.66 per 18-ounce container
An 18-ounce container gives you 13 1/2-cup portions– that’s 20 cents per portion! Oats are brimming with energy-boosting B-vitamins like riboflavin, niacin and thiamin. They’re also high in soluble fiber, which have been shown to help lower cholesterol (just like you see on the commercials). But if you think oats are just for breakfast, think again! Check out healthy oatmeal cookie recipes at foodnetwork.com.
#7: Edamame
Cost: 2.49 per 16 ounce bag (in pod)
Munch on baby soy beans (a.k.a. edamame) instead of chips or other salty snacks. Each ½ cup serving contains 100 calories, 8 grams protein, 3 grams fat, and 9 percent of your daily dose of vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. Each 16 ounce bag has 3 servings—that’s $0.83 per portion.
#8: Frozen Broccoli
Cost: $1.36 per 16 ounce package
When you can’t get your hands on fresh broccoli, frozen is the perfect alternative. Frozen varieties are good money savers since you can use small portions at a time, which makes them last longer. Cook frozen broccoli as a quick weekday side or add to a stir-fry, stew or pasta dish.
#9: Pearled Barley
Cost: $1.03 per 16-ounce bag
This nutty tasting whole grain is loaded with fiber, iron, selenium, and energy-boosting B-vitamins. Use in soup, sprinkle cooked pearled barley on top of a salad, or use in place of Arborio rice in a risotto.
Cost: 1.63 per 15-ounce can
This legume is packed with hunger-satisfying protein and soluble fiber (the kind that helps lower cholesterol). Cook up a lentil soup, toss in a stew, or mix with rice.
Reference Food Network online: Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN
No comments:
Post a Comment