Every household should definitely keep potatoes on hand. While they sometimes have a negative reputation, potatoes are packed with nutrition.

Potatoes contain a significant amount of potassium, a mineral that's very important in our bodies, helping to regulate fluid balance and muscle contractions, among other functions.

If you want an added boost of nutrients, try using sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also high in potassium, but they contain a little more fiber as well as beta carotene.

Both types of potatoes are versatile. Try making homemade french fries, mashed potatoes, or serve up a baked potato bar with your favorite toppings for an easy, family-friendly dinner.

Lentils are popular in many plant-based diets. They are very affordable and provide a great source of protein, fiber, iron and manganese. They also contain antioxidants that may help to fight inflammation and reduce the onset of chronic diseases. Lentils can be used in a variety of ways and are very easy to prepare.

Simply rinse dry lentils to remove any debris, place them in a large pot and fill it halfway with water. Let the lentils simmer until they're tender, then enjoy!

Lentils can be used to make veggie burgers, soups and stews. Popcorn is often associated with binge-watching your favorite TV show or movie, but it can be enjoyed as a healthy snack at any time.

Popcorn provides fiber, magnesium and several disease-fighting antioxidants. Plain popcorn is also relatively low in calories, making it a helpful snack for those wanting to lose weight. The great thing about popcorn is that it's very versatile.

You can add toppings such as sea salt and cheese for a savory treat, or cinnamon and sugar for a delicious sweet treat. It can be expensive to buy pre-popped popcorn in bags or microwaveable pouches, so purchasing kernels helps make this nutritious snack more affordable.

You can pop the kernels yourself in the microwave with just a brown bag. Frozen berries are easy to keep on hand and can be very cost-effective when compared to fresh fruit. A couple of great choices to keep on hand are frozen blueberries and frozen strawberries. Check the bags and buy berries without added sugar.

Blueberries may be small in size, but they are rich in nutrients and are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. Blueberries have been linked to improved cardiovascular health and can contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. Strawberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber, as well as folate.

They are also rich in antioxidants. A review in Nutrients of studies done with strawberries and blueberries found they helped reduce inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity and helped keep blood pressure in check, among other benefits.

Add frozen berries to your favorite smoothie recipe or make a yogurt parfait with them. Frozen berries can be used to make jams, pies and other desserts. Tuna is a smart choice for those wanting to increase their fish intake while still keeping their groceries affordable.

Tuna is a great source of protein, and it also contains some omega-3 fatty acids , which are important for brain health and reducing inflammation.

Tuna also provides a fair amount of the minerals selenium, phosphorus and potassium. Choose canned tuna for salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes. Eggs are a staple item in most homes. They're extremely nutritious and typically cost less than 20 cents per egg.

A whole large egg contains 6 grams of protein and delivers some vitamin D as well. Eggs also contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health and decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration. We often think of eggs for breakfast, but they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

Look to eggs to make a savory dinner quiche, vegetable-packed fried rice or egg salad sandwiches. Now that we've got a list of healthy, budget-friendly foods to keep on hand, let's explore a few more ways to help you save even more money on your grocery bill.

Most people don't realize this, but the ingredients in store-brand products are usually similar to brand-name products. These are great alternatives to increase your vegetable intake and keep your blood sugar from spiking. Use recipes with common ingredients. Using different herbs and spices can turn common ingredients into meals with different flavors.

If your favorite protein is chicken, cook one whole chicken and use it for several different dishes. You can have chicken and vegetable stir fry one night and chicken fajitas another night. Find ways to stretch a recipe. You can stretch meals by making dishes that freeze well. Search online for delicious healthy recipes like soups and casseroles that are budget-friendly and easy meals to stretch.

For example, make a large batch of vegetable soup or white bean chicken chili that can last throughout the week, or freeze the leftovers to have later.

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Chicken thighs with skin (these are cheaper than skinless chicken thighs but the skin can be removed before cooking) Peanut butter Lowfat cottage cheese

Budget-conscious food choices - Ground turkey 90% lean Chicken thighs with skin (these are cheaper than skinless chicken thighs but the skin can be removed before cooking) Peanut butter Lowfat cottage cheese

It can be expensive to buy pre-popped popcorn in bags or microwaveable pouches, so purchasing kernels helps make this nutritious snack more affordable. You can pop the kernels yourself in the microwave with just a brown bag. Frozen berries are easy to keep on hand and can be very cost-effective when compared to fresh fruit.

A couple of great choices to keep on hand are frozen blueberries and frozen strawberries. Check the bags and buy berries without added sugar.

Blueberries may be small in size, but they are rich in nutrients and are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. Blueberries have been linked to improved cardiovascular health and can contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. Strawberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber, as well as folate.

They are also rich in antioxidants. A review in Nutrients of studies done with strawberries and blueberries found they helped reduce inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity and helped keep blood pressure in check, among other benefits. Add frozen berries to your favorite smoothie recipe or make a yogurt parfait with them.

Frozen berries can be used to make jams, pies and other desserts. Tuna is a smart choice for those wanting to increase their fish intake while still keeping their groceries affordable. Tuna is a great source of protein, and it also contains some omega-3 fatty acids , which are important for brain health and reducing inflammation.

Tuna also provides a fair amount of the minerals selenium, phosphorus and potassium. Choose canned tuna for salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes. Eggs are a staple item in most homes.

They're extremely nutritious and typically cost less than 20 cents per egg. A whole large egg contains 6 grams of protein and delivers some vitamin D as well. Eggs also contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health and decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

We often think of eggs for breakfast, but they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Look to eggs to make a savory dinner quiche, vegetable-packed fried rice or egg salad sandwiches. Now that we've got a list of healthy, budget-friendly foods to keep on hand, let's explore a few more ways to help you save even more money on your grocery bill.

Most people don't realize this, but the ingredients in store-brand products are usually similar to brand-name products. So, instead of paying extra money for well-known brands, look for generic or store-brand products instead.

Before you head to the grocery store, take inventory of everything that you have on hand. You may be surprised to find a few extra cans of chickpeas, or some leftover broccoli that may be on the verge of going bad.

To help avoid food waste and save a little money, try to make recipes with these items first. Get creative with what you have.

Nonperishable items, such as grains, rice, nuts and beans, are typically cheaper when purchased in bulk or larger containers. Even though a larger container of rice will be more expensive, look for the unit price when you shop.

That will tell you how much you're paying per pound or ounce so you can compare packages and get the best deal. When you bring bulk items home, distribute them into smaller portions to help with storage, then use them as needed.

Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season can help keep the price down. Sometimes, but not always, shopping for local produce at your farmers' market can be more affordable. To help fresh produce last longer, some fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, peaches and onions, can be frozen.

You can try washing and storing them in a freezer bag, and placing them in the freezer until you're ready to use them. When fruits and veggies aren't in season, stock up on nutritious frozen produce.

Meal prepping is a great way to save money. Planning your meals can help prevent those unnecessary grocery trips during the week. Meal prepping doesn't have to be hard. It can be as simple as preparing a big batch of soup on the weekend, and portioning it out to last throughout the week.

Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content.

Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources.

Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Healthy Eating. Andrea Mathis, M. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines. Reviewed by Dietitian Elizabeth Ward is a registered dietitian and award-winning nutrition communicator and writer.

Reviewed by Dietitian Elizabeth Ward, M. In This Article View All. In This Article. Canned Tomatoes. Peanut Butter. Canned Beans. Frozen Berries. Canned Tuna. Additionally, there is a wide network of food pantries nationwide that provide access to some foods and beverages.

Produce Leafy greens kale , collards Whole heads lettuce or cabbage Broccoli Radishes Fresh carrots Fresh apples Fresh bananas Any fresh produce on sale Frozen unsweetened fruit Frozen or canned vegetables without added salt.

Whole grains and pastas Generic store-brand high-fiber cereals plain shredded wheat, bran Whole rolled oats Whole grains, dried brown rice , millet, barley, bulgur Whole grain pasta. Snacks Peanuts Dried popcorn kernels to cook in an air-popper String cheese. Low-sodium seasonings Sodium-free herbs cumin, curry, thyme, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and herb blends Canned reduced-sodium tomato paste Vinegars Olive oil and other liquid vegetable oils.

Veggie burgers Drain one can black beans and place into a large bowl. Mash the beans with a fork and add in 1 medium cooked sweet potato, ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 small diced carrot, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Mix all ingredients together with a spoon or your hands. Refrigerate for 20 minutes and shape into patties. Add 2 tablespoons oil into a pan and heat on medium-high. When oil is warm, add patties and cook on each side for about 3 minutes.

Eat the patties over a bed of greens or assemble on a whole grain bun with your favorite toppings. Homemade chicken nuggets Preheat oven to F.

Place 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt in a bowl. Cut 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs into 2-inch pieces. Dip each chicken piece into the yogurt and then dredge in cornflakes. Place onto baking sheet and repeat with all chicken pieces.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Three-bean chili Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium-high heat in a large pot. Add 1 large diced onion, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, and 3 tablespoons chili powder and cook until onions soften.

Add one ounce can each of drained rinsed black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans; one ounce can diced tomatoes with the juice; and 2 cups water or low-sodium broth.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve plain or over cooked brown rice. References Rao M, Afshin A, Singh G, Mozaffarian D. Do healthier foods and diet patterns cost more than less healthy options?

A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open. Daniel C. Is healthy eating too expensive?

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Budget-conscious food choices - Ground turkey 90% lean Chicken thighs with skin (these are cheaper than skinless chicken thighs but the skin can be removed before cooking) Peanut butter Lowfat cottage cheese

Get Time-Saving Tips. Find savings in your area and discover new ways to prepare budget-friendly foods. Build healthy eating habits one goal at a time! Download the Start Simple with MyPlate app today.

Learn more. The site is secure. Healthy Eating on a Budget. https icon Secure. Find tips for eating healthy on a budget and saving money when food shopping. Healthy Eating on a Budget. USDA , Food and Nutrition Service , Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. HHS , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Explore tips for staying within your grocery budget while following a diabetes meal plan. Overcoming Roadblocks to Healthy Eating. HHS , National Institutes of Health , National Institute on Aging. Budget-Friendly Meal Planning.

Department of Veterans Affairs. Use this budget-friendly shopping list to eat healthy at home while saving money. Thrifty Meal Plan. Ways to Save Your Food Dollars. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Read about four ways to save money on food. And shredding or slicing your own cheese is cheaper than buying processed cheese, which may contain additives.

Stock up on bulk items. Buying staples in bulk can save you money, but only buy what you can use before it expires. Store bulk grains, cereals, rice, and dried beans in airtight containers. Find cheaper protein options. Protein powers your body and is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, and skin, but it can put a strain on your food budget.

Save money by trying more affordable protein options, like eggs, or by replacing meat with plant-based proteins, including soy, tofu, beans, and lentils. Plant-based proteins contain less saturated fat, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

When slow-cooked, cheaper cuts of meat can be very tasty. Use a slow cooker to create healthy soups, stews, chili, and more. Fill half of your plate with fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. According to the U. Look for products without added sugars or sodium.

Consuming too much added sugar can lead to health problems , such as weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Also, eating less sodium can reduce your risk for high blood pressure.