There seems to be a stigma around eating healthy that causes people to think that healthy foods are expensive. Maybe part of that comes down to an ever-growing health and fitness industry. There seem to be new “health foods” on the market each day. These snacks tend to be packaged, processed, and come with a high price tag. The truth is that eating well just comes down to making good choices. Eating foods in their natural form, without added preservatives and other modifications is the best way to “eat clean.” It doesn’t have to be hard and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Check out this list of 10 cheap healthy grocery staples for some ideas of how you can eat well on a budget.

I am not an expert by any means – just a cheapo who pays attention to my family’s food choices. There are many great food sources that come packed with nutrients for a low cost. A lot of this will change seasonally, and depending on where you live. For example, in the winter those little Cutie oranges are are everywhere. I can generally pick up a bag for under $4.00, and my kiddos love them! In the summer, they get more expensive and just aren’t as good. This list focuses on staples that you can usually get year round. They are great low-cost foods to keep on hand. Make sure that you pay attention to prices, watch for sales, and check to see if your grocery store has a generic option. Coupons can be good too, but I personally don’t use coupons often for many reasons.
So, now on to a list of great foods to keep on hand.. here are 10 cheap and healthy grocery staples.

10 Cheap and Healthy Grocery Staples:

Black Beans

Black beans are super cheap – I’ve seen them for under $0.50 per can at Aldi! They are also super versatile and packed with fiber. We eat black beans often in our home. I will serve them plain as a side, mashed with some chili powder and salt as a dip, or as a meal in black bean soup or burritos.

Oats

I always have a container (or two) of oats in my pantry. I eat a lot of oatmeal, so I chose to make my own instead of buying the packets. It’s much more affordable, and I can use fresh or dried fruit instead of sugar to sweeten. If you are breastfeeding, oats are anecdotally known for being a supply boosting power food. They’re also high in protein, fiber, and iron.

Bananas

Bananas are a notorious favorite among babies and young kids. They are cheap, easy to serve, portable, and full of vitamins including vitamin C and B-6. They’re one of the most popular snacks in the world, and for good reason.

Mix the two above ingredients and you get cookies! If you haven’t tried it yet… DO IT. 🙂

Apples

Another easy, portable snack that’s great for kids – apples! Apples are packed with vitamins and fiber. They’re always cheap to buy by the bagful and keep well in the fridge or at room temperature.

Eggs

Eggs have been super cheap for a while now! There has been some back and forth on if eggs are “healthy” for a while, but the health benefits of eggs have been proven over time. You can easily scramble them for dinner or boil them for an easy snack on the go.

Frozen Fish

Fish has a great reputation for being a heart and brain healthy. It gets a bad reputation for being expensive. One way around this is to buy frozen fish filets. They are much more affordable, and usually individually packaged so that they are easy to pull out as you need them.

Lettuce

Lettuce, kale, spinach, and really all leafy greens are super high in vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are also super inexpensive. Combine with some veggies and protein (hello eggs and black beans!) and you can make a yummy and filling salad.

Sweet Potatoes

Also a super food, sweet potatoes are full of potassium, Vitamin A, and antioxidants. We make sweet potato fries at least once a week at our house. The kids love them! Just cut, toss in olive oil with some seasoning, and bake.

Peanut Butter

Another kid favorite is peanut butter. Buy a giant jar and a couple of loafs of bread, and you have school lunches for 2 months! Peanut butter is also great for making treats like this healthy protein cookie dough. It’s an easy source of protein and healthy fats.

Berries

Berries get a bad name for being an expensive fruit. The truth is that you have to watch for seasonality! Berries are super high in antioxidants and kids love them. I love berries in my oatmeal!

 

There you have it. Those are 10 of my favorite cheap and healthy grocery staples. Chances are pretty good that you will find all of the above foods in my home at any given time. Eating well doesn’t have to come at a high price tag – it just takes some time to pay attention to what foods you keep stocked in your home.

What are some of your go-to cheap and healthy grocery staples? I’d love to hear suggestions in the comments.