Economical grocery items
Kagabar 
If you need some hearty meal ideas to stretch your budget, check out my Stovetop Mac and Cheese and my Cheese Grits recipe. Frozen items last much longer than fresh and can be portioned out, which means less waste in the long run. You can also save even more money by freezing your leftovers for another day.
Frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, and beans , provide a good selection of different nutrients and are one of the most affordable bags of frozen veggies. Berries can be added to a number of items including desserts, overnight oats, or cereals.
I use berries in breakfast recipes like my Croissant Breakfast Casserole , as well as in sweet treats like my Strawberry Cake recipe. Ground beef can be used to make a variety of meals, including chili , burritos , spaghetti bolognese sauce , and casseroles.
You can save money by buying larger packs in bulk look for sales , portioning, and freezing them. Similar to ground beef, buying chicken breasts in bulk can be very cost-effective, and buying it frozen is often cheaper than fresh. In the U.
Do your homework before you shop to find the stores that have the best deals and prices. Sign up to benefit from member-only discounts and special offers. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying individual items.
The savings might seem small, but it all adds up. Going along with buying in bulk, if you order a larger cut of meat like chuck roast for example , it can be cooked and then used in many different recipes like filling casseroles or hearty stews. Generic grocery products were first introduced in the s during record levels of inflation and are still incredibly relevant today.
Branded products are more expensive than generic or supermarket-owned brands. Often cheaper brands have the same ingredients as big brands but are half the price. Supermarkets constantly run promotions to compete with other leading retailers, so take advantage of BOGO buy one get one sales and other discounts whenever you can.
Get the most out of your supermarket shopping by clipping coupons. Get a copy of the weekly newspaper in the mail and spend time finding deals that are relevant to you. Cut out and save the coupons for your next shop.
Alternatively, there are digital coupons that can be found on relevant shopping apps. You can check popular sites like Pillsbury. com, BettyCrocker. com, and Coupons. Not only will using your leftovers save you money, but it also helps to reduce food waste. Make your food last longer by preserving and storing it correctly.
Common methods of food preservation include freezing, chilling, salting, sugaring, canning, and vacuum packing. Experiment with different methods and find one that works for you. You can make your own preserves using leftover fruit, like my Damson Plum Reserves.
Creating wholesome and affordable meals for your family is easier than you think. The following recipes only require a small number of ingredients, making them great budget-friendly meals for your whole family to enjoy:.
Read More. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Wonderful information. Thanks for all your work composing the lists.
It contains fat-soluble vitamins and iron, and some heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Choose light tuna like skipjack for less mercury , and opt for tuna packed in water instead of oil.
How to use: mix a can of tuna with mayonnaise, greek yogurt, celery, red onion, and lemon juice for a quick tuna salad sandwich or dip. Have you ever tried sardines? This salty tinned fish is rich in nutrients like omega-3 fats, zinc, and magnesium.
Peanuts and peanut butter are mainly a source of healthy fats, but they do contain some protein and fiber too. How to use: melt tablespoons of peanut butter and drizzle on top of greek yogurt and berries, or try the viral magic shell yogurt.
Peanuts contain health-promoting mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and plenty of important micronutrients like copper, vitamin E, and folate. How to use: add a handful of dry roasted, unsalted peanuts and chocolate chips to popcorn for a high fiber and heart-healthy snack.
I know, I know… canned chicken seems a little scary. How to use: add drained canned chicken, rinsed black beans, and shredded cheese to a tortilla and heat on the stove for a quick weeknight quesadilla. Cottage cheese is having a moment right now, and for good reason.
Cottage cheese is a great food for weight loss and fitness goals. How to use: try this high protein cottage cheese queso for a flavor-packed protein dip.
Sunflower seeds are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein to help support your immunity, heart health, brain health, and more. How to use: sprinkle sunflower seeds on salads for an extra boost of healthy fats and fiber.
Chicken thighs are a lot cheaper than chicken breasts, and a bit more tasty too. Chicken thighs contain important nutrients like iron, niacin, and zinc.
Using this list of 52 affordable foods can help you save money on groceries. Use this list of 52 nourishing foods to build your next healthy grocery list on a budget.
And consider other tips from this article like cooking at home, shopping your cupboards, and eating more plant proteins to save extra money too. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Learn how your comment data is processed. Also, the government derived pyramid was designed to keep the medical and pharmaceutical industries rich and thriving.
It creates mucus and is the basis of inflammatory disease. Peanuts have a mold in them and should never be consumed. Peanuts create pancreatic cancer.
Look it up. I could go on and on. Please do your research. Privacy Policy Design by Purr. Mobile Menu Trigger. Home » Nutrition » Healthy Eating » Healthy Grocery List on a Budget: 52 Affordable Foods.
by Miranda Galati, MHSc, RD on July 7, Grocery shopping has never been more expensive. Inexpensive fruits and vegetables Frozen berries Berries are an incredibly nutrient-dense food that help prevent and fight disease.
Bananas Nothing beats bananas in the inexpensive fruit department. Broccoli Broccoli is loaded with health-promoting micronutrients, bioactive compounds, and fiber. Frozen cauliflower Like broccoli, cauliflower is a nutrient-rich cruciferous vegetable that can help your body fight disease and inflammation.
Frozen peas A serving of peas contains lots of fiber, a little bit of protein, and a long list of micronutrients to support your health like vitamin A, vitamin K, thiamine, and folate.
Canned corn Corn is another overlooked veggie or is it a grain? Apples Apples are high in fiber, super filling, and easy to fit into any budget.
Cabbage Cabbage is impressive for so many reasons. Frozen mixed vegetables Yes, frozen vegetables still count.
Onions Onions have health benefits too! Sauerkraut Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage product that comes with a sour flavor and potential gut-health benefits.
Raisins Raisins are delicious dried grapes that offer energizing carbs, gut-friendly fiber, and calcium. Green beans Green beans are among the most underrated vegetables around. Frozen spinach You might be surprised to learn that frozen spinach contains even more nutrition than fresh!
Cucumber Cucumber is a crunchy and hydrating veggie, and an affordable way to up your intake of health-promoting foods. Frozen brussels sprouts Frozen brussels sprouts are the hidden gems of the freezer aisle.
Prunes Prunes might be one of my all-time favorite fruits. Sweet potatoes Regular potatoes are great, but sweet potatoes are a nutrient-dense and inexpensive choice too. Rice Did you know that brown and white rice are both healthy choices?
Oats If superfoods were real, oats would be one of them. Popcorn kernels Did you expect corn to make this list twice?! Whole wheat bread This high-fiber, nourishing staple is one of the cheapest and easiest options you can find at the store.
Canned chickpeas Chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans are an awesome source of high fiber carbohydrates with a big boost of protein too. Canned black beans Canned beans are another inexpensive and versatile bean with plenty of filling fiber and protein. Tofu There are lots of incorrect claims about soy being bad for your health and hormones.
Eggs Eggs are a quick and nutrient-rich staple with protein, vitamin D, folate, and selenium. Frozen edamame Edamame are young soybeans and another great protein- and fiber-rich option on a budget. Plain yogurt Plain yogurt is a filling and protein-rich food that can be used in sweet or savory dishes.
Cheddar cheese You might not think of cheese as a health-food, but it is actually a nutrient-dense option that can support your health… when eaten in moderation.
Ground beef Lean ground beef is a nutritious and inexpensive staple. Ground turkey or chicken Poultry is a great alternative to beef if you want a lower fat option with high quality protein. Canned tuna Canned tuna is a great low-calorie protein source, and a quick way to make any meal a whole lot more filling.
Sardines Have you ever tried sardines? Peanut butter Peanuts and peanut butter are mainly a source of healthy fats, but they do contain some protein and fiber too.
Canned chicken I know, I know… canned chicken seems a little scary. Cottage cheese Cottage cheese is having a moment right now, and for good reason. Chicken thighs Chicken thighs are a lot cheaper than chicken breasts, and a bit more tasty too.
More tips to save money on healthy foods Using this list of 52 affordable foods can help you save money on groceries. Try these additional tips to save money on food: Plan your meals and snacks at the start of each week.
This will help you spend and waste less. Make a grocery list before shopping. Avoid buying unnecessary extras by making and sticking to your list. Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here.
This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products.
Pasta is an affordable pantry staple that can be used to make a variety of dishes. The noodles themselves are inexpensive, and you can jazz them up with whatever sauces or ingredients you have on hand. Pasta is filling and provides long-lasting energy.
Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that can provide several hearty, budget-friendly meals. The whole shoulder can be roasted, pulled and used in tacos, pasta dishes, soups and more throughout the week.
Lentils are inexpensive, versatile and packed with protein and fiber. They can be used to make stews, chilis, soups, salads and more. Lentils are filling and provide sustained energy.
Buying them dried in bulk quantities keeps the price down. Pancake mix and ingredients like eggs and milk are budget-friendly items that go a long way.
Pancakes make a filling, homemade breakfast. The basic batter also can be dressed up with whatever ingredients are on hand like chocolate chips, berries, banana, etc. Oatmeal contains fiber and nutrients to keep you full and energized all morning.
Oatmeal can be customized sweet or savory and makes a warm, comforting breakfast. Cabbage is one of the most budget-friendly vegetables. Use it to make homemade coleslaw, stir-fry, soup or roasted as a side.
Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. They are endlessly versatile and can be prepared simply or incorporated into larger dishes. Hard-boiled eggs also make a convenient high-protein snack. Canned chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Rinse and toss them into salads, grain bowls, soups and hummus, or eat them right out of the can.
You can also save the liquid from the can and use it as a cheap egg replacer in baked goods. Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, and a jar goes a long way. Peanut butter can be spread on bread and fruit or eaten by the spoonful for an instant protein boost.
Yogurt is an affordable option that provides protein and calcium. Buying plain yogurt in large containers is most economical. Yogurt can be topped with affordable granola or fruit for a balanced breakfast or snack.
In-season fresh fruits like bananas and apples are usually available at low cost. Fruit provides important vitamins and fiber and gives an energy boost. Keeping a stash of frozen fruit means you can always have berries, mangos, etc.
Frozen fruit is nutritious and more affordable. Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, versatile and nutritious. Roast them with olive oil or make them into fries, add to soups and stews, or mash them as a side. Pre-packaged breakfast bars are inexpensive and portable, and they provide protein and fiber to start the day off right.
Granola bars contain whole grains, protein and other nutrients. They provide energy on the go and keep you satisfied between meals. Buying store brand boxes in bulk keeps costs down. Pre-made breakfast bowls offer an affordable way to get a hearty, balanced morning meal with protein, grains and fruit without the restaurant price tag.
Frozen breakfast burritos offer an inexpensive way to enjoy a hot breakfast sandwich at home. They have eggs, cheese, meat, and veggies wrapped up for convenience. Potatoes are very versatile and affordable. They can be prepared mashed, baked, fried or roasted and included in many different meals to add bulk and nutrients and to fill you up.
Canned tuna is an inexpensive source of lean protein to keep on hand. It can be used to make tuna salad, included in pasta dishes, mixed into salads or eaten straight out of the can in a pinch. They keep a long time in the freezer.
Rice is a pantry staple that provides energy and fills you up. Rice keeps for a long time and goes with sauces, beans, meats and veggies. Basic pasta sauce is inexpensive when purchased in cans or jars.
Transforming pasta into a tasty meal is as easy as heating up some sauce and tossing with noodles. Add protein or veggies if you have any. Black beans provide protein and fiber.
Black beans can be used in tacos, burritos, salads, soups and more. Bread is an affordable basic for sandwiches or toast. Opt for whole wheat when possible for added nutrients. Even plain bread provides carbohydrates for energy.
Bananas are one of the cheapest fruits. Keeping bananas on hand prevents grabbing a more expensive snack when hungry. Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this article. February 12, Read more. Saving Money. February 09, February 08,
Rice, Beans, Frozen Veggis, Carrots, Spring Onions. Add ground meat if you need meat Aldi is probably your best bet for inexpensive food. They have gluten free and organic choices if that's something you need. There is a great From tomato paste to beans, here are the cheap grocery items chefs recommend always keeping on hand for delicious and affordable meals
