11 Cheap Ridiculously Healthy Foods You Should Be Buying

Is it impossible to eat healthy without breaking the bank? It definitely isn’t if you are crafty with your shopping! One of the most common mistakes shoppers make are buying healthy foods that are not easy to translate into multiple dishes. Cooking healthy does not need to be expensive or inconvenient.

Here are the 11 Cheap and Ridiculously Healthy Foods you should be buying:

1. Oats – Oats are a great choice for a healthy breakfast or baking treat. You can make your own oatmeal (just add you own choice of fruits), make oatmeal bars (or other desserts), or even add it to smoothies.

2. Rice – Although brown rice is a better option, rice can be a great cheap healthy food. It can often be purchased in bulk which makes it an even better deal. Dry rice can be stored for a long time. It can be a perfect addition to nearly any meal. Consider adding some soy sauce for a little extra flavor. Throw a cup of rice in your crockpot meal during the last 30 minutes of cook time. Rice can be added to soup, mixed into taco meat, and much more.

3. Beans – Beans are another product that can be purchased in dry bulk form, although they can also be purchased canned depending on your preference. There are many different types of beans and they are a great way to get some protein into your diet. This is another food that can work in many different recipes.

4. Chicken – Chicken has the misconception of being unhealthy (although cheap) but it truly depends on how it’s prepared. Stay away from fried greasy recipes. Instead look at grilled or baked options. Chicken can be shredded for sandwiches or salads, put into soups and stews, and many other great dinners.

5. Canned Tuna – Tuna is a very affordable way to get some fish in your diet. A very lean food it works well on lettuce wraps or salads. Some people enjoy spreading it on cracks or dipping it with vegetables.

6. Quinoa  – High in protein and gluten-free quinoa is considered a type of grain. It can be used to make a wide variety of products often as a substitute for typical grains. Quinoa has a unique flavor that may take some getting used to, but provides some excellent treats!

7. Grapes – A tasty and easy finger food. Grapes are sweet and full of plenty of vitamins. They make a great snack both refrigerated and frozen. Use frozen grapes in the summer instead of ice cubes to prevent drinks from being watered down or to give you water some extra flavor!

8. Bananas – Bananas are super cheap and easy to preserve. Bananas can be great additions to your breakfast oatmeal or cereal. A perfect after-school snack when combined with peanut butter. Bruised or overripe bananas can be chopped and frozen to be used for cookies or bread.

9. Frozen Mixed Veggies – Often these are on sale at many stores, super easy to prepare, and easy to store. What makes them awesome are how versatile they are. They can be served as is, mixed into crockpot meals, soups, or casseroles. Add some potatoes and you can make veggie nuggets.

10. Lettuce  – Lettuce is a great cheap healthy food choice that is often overlooked. Why? Some people think it is boring! Lettuce can be an excellent staple for many meals. You can bulk up meals to make them more filling and substitute for other ingredients. Have you ever tried a lettuce wrap? You can cut calories and carbs from your lunch by switching out your bread for lettuce. Delicious and calorie-conscious!

11. Carrots – A very affordable vegetable, carrots can be found in a bunch of forms. Although baby carrots are often a family favorite for snacks, consider purchasing the larger bundle of carrots and making your own carrot sticks. Grate or shred the carrots for salads and wraps. Sliced carrots can be added to soup or supplemented into mixed vegetables. Consider trying a carrot in your morning fruit smoothie. You might be surprised how good it tastes.

Here are just 11 Cheap Ridiculously Healthy Foods You Should Be Buying. What ridiculously cheap healthy foods do you have hiding in your pantry.