Then McCord uses the leftover rice to whip up a variety of recipes including Rice Cakes , Leftover Rice Pudding , and Breakfast Rice Bake.

So both of these ingredients can stretch your dollar and time as far as possible. While many people are hesitant to stock up on fresh foods because they are perishable—potatoes are the exception to this rule.

Sick of plain pasta again? Chef Chris Aquilino , director of culinary at Elior North America , likes to jazz up his meals with jarred items, including pesto, olives, jalapeños, artichokes, sardines, and anchovies. They also stay fresh for a long time. According to Aquilino, herb purées, such as basil and cilantro, can even stay fresh for weeks at a time.

So don't be afraid to open up that tube. Aquilino also suggests stocking up on tomato paste. There are numerous ways to cook with tomato paste including topping fish and making barbeque sauce.

While you can easily find canned tomato paste at most supermarkets, Aquilino prefers the kind available in a tube. While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale. Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats.

Always check the label before purchasing. More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds. Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods.

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition. Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months.

Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale. Items worth stocking up on include:. More ways to save money on groceries. Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies.

The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples. Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby.

With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank. And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services.

She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian.

She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups. What to Eat for Breakfast to Feel Your Best.

Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Single Day. These High-Carb Foods Are Seriously Good for You. Visit the FDA website for information on how much mercury is safe to consume. Tuna in water has less calories and fat, although a majority of the oil in canned tuna provides healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats , so choose the best option for your personal health.

Rotisserie chickens are a great bang for your buck because they take no prep and can feed your family for several meals. From tacos to salads to sandwiches, rotisserie chicken is a great source of protein and key vitamins and minerals.

But if you do for example, buying two rotisserie chickens in one week because of a really good deal , they can be be pre-shredded or chopped and frozen for future quick and easy meals, like fried rice, stir-fries, and burritos.

But we highly recommend giving it a try! Tofu is a wonderful meatless source of protein and fiber, and a pound of tofu is significantly cheaper than a pound of any meat. Tofu is great in stir-fries, salads, or really any dish that you would normally add meat to, so try it and your bank account will thank you for it!

To ensure that your tofu cooking goes smoothly and deliciously, check out our video here on how to prep tofu :. Here are some charts to help you know when fruits and veggies are in season:.

Infographic Vegetables by Month US. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Infographic Fruits by Month US. Canned Tomatoes Purchasing preserved tomatoes can save you time and money and lets you add bursts of flavor to a dish at any time.

Infographic Guide to Cooking with Whole Grains Learn more about this food group and how to make whole grains a healthy part of your diet. Potatoes Potatoes often get a bad rap due to infamous french fries and chips.

Eggs Eggs are an excellent source of lean protein — each one gives you 6 grams of protein and less than 2 grams of saturated fat if you hard-boil them.

Canned chicken, tuna and tomatoes. Cheese. Coffee and tea. Eggs. Spices. Vegetable oil. 12 healthy and affordable foods for your grocery list 10 Cheap & Healthy Foods to Buy, According to a Dietitian · 1. Canned Tomatoes · 2. Oats · 3. Peanut Butter · 4. Canned Beans · 5. Potatoes · 6 When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients

Cost-effective Food Products - 10– Grains and legumes · Brown rice · Oatmeal · Canned beans · Dried Lentils · Edamame · Quinoa · Air-popped popcorn Canned chicken, tuna and tomatoes. Cheese. Coffee and tea. Eggs. Spices. Vegetable oil. 12 healthy and affordable foods for your grocery list 10 Cheap & Healthy Foods to Buy, According to a Dietitian · 1. Canned Tomatoes · 2. Oats · 3. Peanut Butter · 4. Canned Beans · 5. Potatoes · 6 When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients

Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth. Consider cutting costs even further by implementing Meatless Monday or meatless dinners a few nights a week.

Swap out meat for healthy plant-based meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, beans and legumes, as your protein source. The cost of fresh seafood may also vary seasonally. According to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership , fresh Alaskan salmon is less expensive during the summer when the fish are more abundant.

Other popular choices that may be worth buying seasonally include Albacore tuna in season July-October and halibut in season March-November. Other ways to save money on seafood:. Whether you prefer dairy or non-dairy, you can find competitive prices due to the sheer number of products on the market.

While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale. Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats. Always check the label before purchasing.

More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds.

Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods.

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition. Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months. Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale. Items worth stocking up on include:. More ways to save money on groceries.

Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies.

The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples. Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby.

With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank. And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services.

She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

What to Eat for Breakfast to Feel Your Best. Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Single Day. These High-Carb Foods Are Seriously Good for You. The Superfood We All Need More Of. The Real Health Benefits of Eating Carrots. What You Need to Know About Collagen Supplements.

Brown Rice vs. Opting for generic brands instead of name brands is a simple way to save money without compromising on quality. Generic brand foods are usually comparable to name-brand versions in terms of safety, quality, and nutritional value. Planning out your meals in advance is a smart way to save both time and money.

Try creating a weekly meal plan, drafting a shopping list, and setting aside a specific time to prep your meals for the next week. One of my favorite methods for meal planning is to find a few recipes that use a similar set of ingredients to rotate between during the week.

I like to focus on a few ingredients with a shorter shelf life, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and switch between various whole grains, legumes , spices, and seasonings for each meal. Cooking your own food at home instead of dining at restaurants or purchasing prepackaged meals is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eat healthy on a budget.

In fact, a single meal at a restaurant typically costs much more than purchasing the ingredients you need to prepare your own food at home. Plus, with additional fees like delivery fees, service charges, and tips, the cost of dining out or ordering takeout can quickly add up.

This makes it easier to include more fresh, whole foods in your diet. It also helps decrease your intake of added sugar , salt, and artificial ingredients. Plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, and tempeh are often much cheaper than animal proteins like meat, fish, and poultry.

Plus, these foods are rich in protein, fiber, and a variety of other essential vitamins and minerals. If you eat meat now and want to start eating more plant-based protein, consider swapping plant-based proteins into your diet just a few times per week.

This will help you save some money and reduce your consumption of meat. A flexitarian diet like this encourages eating mostly plant-based but also allows you to eat animal-based foods here and there. Most grocery stores offer weekly deals and discounts, which are typically either advertised online or distributed in circulars.

Checking whether coupons are available for your favorite products before you go shopping is an excellent way to save some money. You can also check for deals offered by online retailers, such as Thrive Market, Fresh Direct, or Amazon Fresh , which can be useful if you have limited access to a traditional grocery store.

These include rice, beans, spices, frozen foods, and canned vegetables. If you have a hard time using up all your fresh fruits and veggies before they start to go bad, consider getting some frozen produce.

Frozen fruits and veggies offer the same valuable nutrients as fresh varieties but have a much longer shelf life to help you cut back on food waste 1. I like keeping plenty of frozen fruit on hand to toss into smoothies or mix into my yogurt and oatmeal.

Frozen veggies also make a great addition to stir-fries or can be baked, sautéed, or roasted for a simple side dish. However, there are lots of interesting and creative ways you can use your food scraps instead of just tossing them out.

This can help save some extra money on grocery shopping. Save stems and stalks of vegetables to make soup stock, freeze leftover herbs, or cut stale bread into cubes and bake them in the oven to make your own homemade croutons.

Need more ideas? Check out this article for a few other simple ways to use your leftover food scraps. Storing food properly can extend its shelf life, making your meals last longer to reduce food waste and shrink your shopping bill. Try lining your produce drawers with paper towels to absorb extra moisture and keep your fruits and veggies from going bad.

You should also store shelf-stable ingredients, such as pasta, rice, and cereal, in an airtight container and place them in a cool, dry place to maximize their shelf life. For example, experts advise keeping fresh poultry or ground beef in the fridge at 40°F 4°C or below for no longer than 2 days.

Make sure to keep raw meat separate from other foods 2. You can buy certain foods in bulk at a lower price, making it even easier to eat healthy on a budget. Shelf-stable options like grains, nuts, seeds, and dried legumes are particularly great foods to stock up on and buy in bulk. Fresh herbs are perfect for boosting the flavor of your favorite healthy meals at home, but they can also be pretty pricey.

There are lots of indoor gardening possibilities to consider. These are equipped with LED lights for a foolproof way to grow herbs at home. Incorporating money-saving habits into your grocery shopping routine is a great way to cut costs while eating healthy. Not only can this save you some time, but bringing your leftovers to work or school instead of buying lunch can also help save money.

Many online grocery services have popped up in recent years, delivering discounted food products directly to your door. Some services, such as Imperfect Foods or Misfits Market, offer produce with minor cosmetic imperfections at a lower price.

In addition to helping you add more fruits and veggies to your diet, these services can help you save money and make it easier to stick to your meal plan if you buy only what you need. Try practicing a few of the tips outlined above, which can make it easier than ever to eat healthy without breaking the bank.

Try incorporating a few of the cost-cutting tips into your routine each week to slowly ease into a budget-friendly healthy eating plan.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument. This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers. Processed foods are convenient and can even be good for you.

Sometimes, however, convenience can mean large amounts of hidden sodium, fats, and sugar…. If you don't have a yard or access to outdoor space, you can still start a veggie garden.

Here are 6 tips for growing your own food at home.

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Cost-effective Food Products - 10– Grains and legumes · Brown rice · Oatmeal · Canned beans · Dried Lentils · Edamame · Quinoa · Air-popped popcorn Canned chicken, tuna and tomatoes. Cheese. Coffee and tea. Eggs. Spices. Vegetable oil. 12 healthy and affordable foods for your grocery list 10 Cheap & Healthy Foods to Buy, According to a Dietitian · 1. Canned Tomatoes · 2. Oats · 3. Peanut Butter · 4. Canned Beans · 5. Potatoes · 6 When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients

Tofu Another affordable plant-based protein, tofu is a favorite of budget-shoppers everywhere. Bananas When it comes to fruit, things do tend to get a little pricey. However, bananas are reliably pretty cheap. Dried Cranberries Not all dried fruits are cheap.

But dried cranberries and raisins, for that matter are totally affordable. Add them to oatmeal, salads, or even eat them by themselves. Oats are packed with fiber and have a little protein to boot. Whole Wheat Pasta Pasta, how we love thee. Brown Rice Like whole wheat pasta, brown rice is clutch.

When stored properly, it can last in your pantry for a long time. com is the ultimate wellness resource and community. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.

Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Amanda Lauren. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Newsletter Sign Up. Andrea has worked in several healthcare settings including clinical, public health and long-term care.

Andrea believes in achieving optimal health by incorporating healthier eating habits into your lifestyle and making healthy eating fun! When she's not running after her two boys, she enjoys creating content to encourage self-love and promote body positivity. Elizabeth Ward is a registered dietitian and award-winning nutrition communicator and writer.

She has authored or co-authored 10 books for consumers about nutrition at all stages of life. Our series, Good Food for All , examines the barriers to putting healthy food on the table and what is being done to help.

When trying to cut back on your grocery bills and purchase food that's inexpensive, the first thing that may come to mind is food that is unhealthy, ultra-processed and high in sodium and sugar. But there are lots of healthy foods that are more affordable than acai bowls and organic kale salads.

That said, trying to feed your family nutritious foods without breaking the bank can be a little bit of a struggle, so we wanted to make it as easy as possible. We've compiled a list of 10 super-budget-friendly healthy foods, plus tips to help you keep those grocery bills down.

Canned tomatoes are frequently used in many households. They're extremely versatile and very inexpensive. In addition to being a staple ingredient in many delicious recipes, canned tomatoes pack a significant nutritional punch.

They're a great source of vitamin C, as well as lycopene, which is an antioxidant that may reduce inflammation. Consuming tomatoes has also been linked to reducing "bad" LDL cholesterol and blood pressure levels according to a Biology Basel study.

Canned tomatoes can easily be added to soups, casseroles, stews and pasta dishes. Oats are a great nutrient-dense food to have on hand. They are super affordable and offer an easy way to provide your family with an impressive amount of nutrients. A large container of plain oats is not only cheaper but also more nutritious than packets of prepared flavored oatmeal, which are more processed and often have added sugar.

Whole-grain rolled oats are rich in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels and helps keep you full and satisfied. A serving of oats also contains B vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium.

Oats are typically eaten for breakfast, but they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Add them to casseroles for an extra source of fiber, or mix it up with a bowl of savory oatmeal. Peanut butter is very cost-effective, delivering a lot of nutrition in a tiny package. A serving is 2 tablespoons, which means that one jar can last for quite a while.

Plus, it's a great source of plant-based protein as well as heart-healthy fats, vitamin E and B vitamins. When choosing your peanut butter, try to look for options without added sugars, although they tend to be more expensive.

Stir it into a bowl of oatmeal or swap out your pasta and red sauce for some tasty peanut noodles. Canned beans are budget-friendly and very nutritious. You can save even more money by choosing dried beans, but they do require more time to cook.

Beans contain a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium and potassium. They're also a great source of plant-based protein.

One cup of canned or cooked beans contains about 15 grams of protein, which is essential for lots of bodily functions, including building and maintaining muscle strength.

Beans can be incorporated into many types of dishes. Try them in soups, salads, tacos and burritos. Every household should definitely keep potatoes on hand. While they sometimes have a negative reputation, potatoes are packed with nutrition.

Potatoes contain a significant amount of potassium, a mineral that's very important in our bodies, helping to regulate fluid balance and muscle contractions, among other functions.

If you want an added boost of nutrients, try using sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also high in potassium, but they contain a little more fiber as well as beta carotene.

Both types of potatoes are versatile. Try making homemade french fries, mashed potatoes, or serve up a baked potato bar with your favorite toppings for an easy, family-friendly dinner.

Lentils are popular in many plant-based diets.