7 Incredibly Budget-Friendly (and Healthy!) Foods
There’s a big myth in our culture that it’s too expensive to eat whole foods. When you always buy healthy foods you are trying to stretch your dollar but still your efforts might be in vain. Budgeting your money properly, that’s one thing; but when you shop smarter at the grocery shop, that’s a whole other thing. There were times when I made less money than I needed but it didn’t stop me from eating healthy. I compared prices between stores and always made shopping lists. Now I try to track my grocery spending too.
Eating whole foods has plenty of fantastic benefits – the main ones are a better health and a longer life. Studies show that today many people suffer from incurable diseases because of unhealthy food choices. While it’s hard to stick to a healthy diet, especially if you are constantly short on money, it’s quite possible to incorporate at least seven budget-friendly yet healthy foods into your daily eating plan. The earlier you start eating healthy, the longer you will live, not to mention that you will significantly improve your health.
1. Brown or black rice
One of the best and cheapest superfoods you should be eating more is brown (or black if you find) rice. White rice is a good food choice too, but it’s higher in calories and lower in vitamins and minerals than brown rice. Black rice contain more antioxidants and it’s good for your heart and overall health.
2. Bananas
Rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin C, bananas are cheap and healthy. You can use bananas in your fruit salads and smoothies, or eat them raw with a little bit of honey and cinnamon. Bananas help to satisfy your hunger in a jiff and keep you feeling fuller, longer until dinner rolls around. They are a delicious on-the-go snack any time of day. Bananas are good for kids too so make sure you buy some bananas next time you go grocery shopping. An added bonus: bananas are a healthy pre-workout snack.
3. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is a rich source of bone-building calcium, protein, and intestinal-friendly bacteria. Greek yogurt can be used in smoothies, salads, instead of sour cream or your regular yogurt. Greek yogurt is more expensive than a regular yogurt, but eating it 3-4 times a week won’t ruin your family budget.
4. Beans
I don’t love beans but use them in my soups and stews every week because I know they are incredibly healthy, plus, they are rather cheap. Beans are a good source of protein, B vitamins, fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, folate, and a lot of phytonutrients. Both canned and dried beans are smart healthy options.
Read also – 4 Ways Vegetables Help You Stay Healthy
5. Fermented foods
Fermented foods contain live cultures, healthy minerals and enzymes. Eating fermented foods regularly is good for your immune system and digestion. Not only are they cheap, but you can even make your own fermented foods such as sauerkraut, miso or tempeh. Sure, you can’t eat them for breakfast or lunch, but you can eat a tablespoon with every dinner to enjoy their health benefits.
6. Eggs
Want to cook a healthy breakfast in a matter of minutes? Opt for scrambled eggs, omelet or hard-boiled eggs. Eating eggs for breakfast boosts levels of satiety, increases your energy levels, aids in weight loss, and provides your body with essential nutrients it needs to work properly. Eggs are plentiful in folic acid, protein, vitamin B, iron, calcium, zinc, and manganese. The best news is that eggs are budget-friendly.
7. Oats
Perhaps you know about health benefits of eating oatmeal. Oats are cheap, healthy and versatile. Oats contain more protein than any other common grain, as well as magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, Vitamin E and some other healthy nutrients. You can eat them for breakfast or lunch. Oatmeal is a perfect bedtime snack too.
One of the biggest reasons people stop eating healthy is because it’s expensive. These seven foods are healthy, delicious and absolutely budget-friendly. A few food swaps can make a huge difference to your diet and health. Do you believe eating healthy is expensive?
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