5 Budget-Friendly Healthy Foods that Need to Be in Your Meal Plan

If you’re trying to watch your health and save your money, you need to turn to these 5 Budget-Friendly Healthy Foods when planning your weekly grocery shopping. Clean eating doesn’t have to break the bank!

5 Budget-Friendly Healthy Foods to Keep on Hand

On a budget? Do you feel like you have to eat unhealthy because healthy food is too expensive? It’s not as hard, or as expensive, as you think. These five Budget-Friendly Healthy Foods will have you on the right track in no time. Most of these foods are under $2.00 per package nationwide.

1. Brown Rice

A 1-pound bag of brown rice sells for about $1.75 and is about 10 side servings. That is under 20 cents per serving. Use it in salads, side dishes, soup, casseroles, and fried rice entrées. Per serving, brown rice has 170 calories, 2 grams fiber, and 4 grams of protein. We love the fresh tastes of lime and cilantro in this restaurant-style Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice recipe.

2. Whole-Wheat or Multigrain Pasta

Whole-Wheat Pasta costs 37 cents per 1/2 cup, or approximately $3 per box. It is packed with fiber, antioxidants, and protein, and it may even help lower the risk of heart disease.

3. Popcorn

At approximately $1.00 per bag of popcorn, you can’t go wrong! We love this low-cost snack. Popcorn is low in calories and is also a good source of fiber.

4. Black Beans

You can find black beans for under $1.00 per can, even cheaper if you are buying dried beans. Add them into burritos, nachos, dips, enchiladas, or use them as a quick side dish. Beans are high in fiber and protein and they leave you feeling fuller longer.

5. Oats

At about $1.00 per pound Oats are high in fiber, low in fat, and may even help lower cholesterol. These blissful Brown Sugar Banana Overnight Oats are a healthy, no-cook, make ahead breakfast you’ll definitely want to try.

We hope you love these 5 Budget-Friendly Healthy Foods as much as we do. If you love these healthy, low-cost options, check out all of our other healthy food tips to help you on your way to a happier, healthier you. For more healthy eating inspiration, be sure to follow us on Facebook and find us on Pinterest. Enjoy!

Disclosure: The author of this article is not a trained medical professional, nor a dietician. All of the information in this post is based on research, doctor recommendations, and personal experience.