Eating Healthy On A Budget: 5 + Actually Affordable And Delicious Foods

by John Griffith
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Who said eating healthy foods should be rough on the budget? You’ll be surprised how many great foods there are that cost pennies and are filled with many great benefits. Plenty of minerals and vitamins can be found in cheaper foods as well. Some you might have never thought of as so beneficial. And with prices getting higher by the second, it’s important to figure out how to eat healthy on a budget. There is a saying that goes “you shouldn’t cheap out when it comes to health.” And while that may be true in some cases, this is not it. There are a lot of affordable products on the market that have health benefits, which help us function and live a balanced life. So, why not take advantage of them? Here are 5+ affordable and delicious foods to take home with you from your next grocery shopping trip.

Who said eating healthy should be expensive?

grocery shop cereal isle

Buckwheat

Buckwheat  is a great, affordable source of fiber, vitamin B’s and protein. It’s also full of calcium, magnesium, folic acid, zinc and iron. If you consume buckwheat regularly, it can have many benefits. This includes helping you lower the “bad” cholesterol levels. It’s also great for gut health, as it can improve digestion. Buckwheat is also gluten-free, so it’s suitable for people with celiac disease or general food intolerances. And one of the main benefits, other than it’s affordability and nutrients, is that it is super versatile. It’s a great substitute for potatoes or rice. And it can easily be incorporated into dinner. It’s also an amazing base when added to a salad.

Buckwheat is a great, affordable source of fiber

eating healthy a lot of buckwheat

Oats

Ah, oats. A real classic. Rolled and steel cut oats both have great nutritional value. It’s incredible for gut health, as it’s also full of fiber, like buckwheat. Oats contain a lot of B vitamins, C Vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E’s. Consuming it will help you get plenty of these nutrients. Including it into your diet will also help your body get necessary elements such as calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, selenium, copper, potassium, and phosphorus. Thanks to this rich mixture of nutrients it can also lower any “bad” levels of cholesterol. Oats make a great versatile breakfast. Make them overnight and add in some fruits and honey. You can also use them as flour in pancakes, cupcakes and much more.

Oats make a great versatile breakfast

oats on a board with a spoon

Cabbage

Cabbage is a favorite in many cultures. It has amazing antibacterial, antiseptic, cleansing and antiulcer properties you can benefit from if consumed regularly. Cabbage is also great in improving the immune system and is an excellent source of vitamin E. Not only that but there is plenty of iron, copper, sulfur, magnesium, folic acid, potassium and more. All of these elements help fight off any free radicals that can have a negative effect on the body. Sauerkraut is especially great for the liver as it helps cleanse it and regenerate it. A great thing about cabbage is that you can serve it stewed, boiled, raw, or fermented. Another bonus to cabbage is that it’s quite low in calories, but it’s very nutrient dense. Who said eating healthy has to be hard?

There are plenty of different cabbage types

different types of cabbages

Beets

Beets are super high in minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. They also have plenty of vitamins including A, C, K, E, and B. This makes beets amazing at improving cognitive functions such as memory and concentration. Beets are also super rick in fiber, folic acid, and antioxidants. With regular consumption you can improve your circulatory system, your immune system. This means you will be protected from colds and infections. There are plenty of interesting recipes you can try to help incorporate beets into your everyday life. This includes the famous borscht soup, beet hummus, salads, and even some desserts. However, keep in mind that the more you process beets, the more it will lose from its useful properties. You can gain the most benefits from pure beet juice.

Beets are super high in minerals and vitamins

beets in a white bowl

Carrots

Affordable, yummy and healthy. Carrots are often underestimated as a vegetable. However, they are a great source of carotenoid and other valuable antioxidants that are incredible when it comes to fighting free radicals and supporting a good metabolic process. This is actually what gives carrots their bright orange color. They also contain plenty of vitamin C, B, K, and A. Carrots are a great source of potassium, calcium, iron, copper, sodium, zinc, magnesium, cobalt, inositol, and pectin. Nutritionists suggest including carrots if you spend a lot of hours in front of your compute. This is because the vitamin A, alongside others, is good for supporting good eye health.

Carrots help maintain healthy eyesight

healthy eating carrots on a white font

Beans

Beans alongside other legumes are associated with a good deal of health benefits. Not only is their price tempting, but so are the many bonuses that come with consuming them. Beans are a great source of plant-based protein. They can also help to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart problems. One of the best things about beans is their versatility. Use them in salads, in stews, pasta. Generally, you can easily incorporate them into almost anything.

Beans reduce the risk of diabetes and heart problems

colorful beans

These were only a small portion of all the affordable and healthy foods on the market. Don’t let advertising steer you towards only expensive superfoods. There are plenty of great products, that are fairly cheap, great for eating healthy, and sometimes are just as beneficial as any spirulina like superfood. And most of the time they are straight under our noses. So, why not try out some of choose some of these products next grocery trip.

Don’t let advertising steer you only towards expensive superfoods

woman going grocery shopping

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.