20 Healthy Foods for Less Than $1

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
Jan 2nd 2009 7:00AM

With today's economy, most people are feeling a budget crunch. Even though the cost of gas has come down, grocery costs stay as high as ever. But high prices at the check-out counter don't mean you have to eat low-cost, low-nutrition foods. Divine Caroline has a list of 20 healthful foods for under one dollar.

Oats. High in heart-healthy soluble fiber, oats are a quick and tasty meal. A dollar will get you more than a week's worth of breakfasts.
Eggs. About a dollar for a half dozen, eggs -- once given a bad rap for high cholesterol -- are now back in the good nutrition fold.
Kale. Roughly a dollar a bunch, kale and other dark leafy greens are packed with nutrition.
Potatoes. As long as you don't fry them or slather them in fatty condiments, potatoes can be a part of a nutritious diet. Sweet potatoes have the added benefit of beta carotene.
Apples. Most varieties are very inexpensive and can satisfy a sweet tooth with their crunchy goodness.
Nuts. A great source of healthy fats, nuts might seem expensive, but since their portion size is small, many varieties (such as peanuts, walnuts and almonds) land well under a dollar per serving.
Bananas. High in potassium and fiber, bananas are a nutritious and inexpensive food.
Garbanzo Beans. Beans, in general, are a healthful and ridiculously-cheap food. Plus, they're a great protein-rich replacement for high-cost meat. Garbanzos are a versatile and healthful choice.
Broccoli. Delicious raw or cooked into a wide variety of meals, broccoli is well under a dollar per serving.

Watermelon. Per serving, watermelon only costs a few dimes. It's great for hydration and contains nutrients such as vitamin C and lycopene.
Wild Rice. A little more costly than white rice, wild rice is well worth the extra cost in nutrition and flavor. And it's still less than a dollar per serving.
Beets. Barack Obama may not like them, but hopefully you do! Beets are powerhouses of nutrition and low cost to boot.
Butternut Squash. In season, squash is usually under a dollar per pound -- especially if you find it at a local farmer's market.
Whole-Grain Pasta. Refined pasta is relatively void of nutrition. But whole-grain varieties are a welcome addition to any diet.
Sardines. I can't stomach them. But if you're a sardine fan, they're an inexpensive and healthful food to enjoy.
Spinach. Another dark green and leafy vegetable, spinach is a great source of vitamin C and iron.
Tofu. While some people question if tofu is a good choice, in moderation, tofu is a healthful and inexpensive protein replacement.
Lowfat Milk. Per serving, milk is still well under a dollar. Let's hope the prices don't continue to rise, though.
Pumpkin Seeds. Hopefully you enjoyed some free pumpkin seeds from your Halloween jack o' lantern. But even the store bought varieties are low cost.
Coffee. It's crazy-expensive if you buy it at a specialty coffee house but if you brew your own, coffee is less than 50 cents a cup.

Still worried about your food costs? We've got more tips for trimming your grocery bill.

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Comments (2)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

u262f 1-05-2009 @ 4:26PM

Great list! Just... Where would I find unsalted cheap pumpkin seeds without the pumpkin? I've been craving pumpkin seeds, but I don't like either pumpkin or salt. Trader Joe's claims it exists but I've been asking for the last two months, and they're always "sold out". Also, being Trader Joe's, I strongly doubt they're cheap.

Maggie Vink 1-05-2009 @ 4:29PM

Hmm. They've got both salted and unsalted at my local IGA. But that doesn't help you out much, does it? You can try nutsonline.com, too. They have them.