So, summer’s coming and you want to look good. But your recession-squeezed wallet is flinching at the high prices of healthy foods. Yes, it’s costly to buy the fresh fish and fancy fruits that many diets recommend. Fortunately, though, you don’t have to spend a lot to eat healthy. Here’s a list of the top ten healthy and cheap foods to try.

1. Cooked Black Beans

Cost per serving 7 cents

Calories per serving 114

Actually, most kinds of beans – black, pinto, garbanzo, lentil— are low in fat, and provide you with important fiber, folic acid, calcium, zinc and potassium. Dry beans take work to prepare; canned beans are a lot easier. Just make sure to rinse the beans well before using. Mix them in salads, soups or casseroles, or serve with rice.



How do you like your eggs?

2. Eggs

Cost per serving 9 cents

Calories per serving 78

Eggs provide plenty of protein for not much money. Plus, there are so many ways to prepare them – scrambled, fried, sunny-side up, or hard-boiled for sandwiches and salads.

3. Cooked noodles

Cost per serving 13 cents

Calories per serving 166

Noodles go with everything. They’re a side dish, or good in a casserole or soup. The whole wheat ones are even better for you, although they do cost a bit more.

4. Oats (Old-Fashioned or Quick)

Cost per serving: 19 cents

Calories per serving 140

An 18-ounce container or oats costs around $2.29 (on sale) and each container contains about 13 servings (if 1/2-cup of dry oats is a serving). Oatmeal is filling, has plenty of fiber and you can also make your own granola and muffins with it.

5. Frozen Vegetables

Cost per serving: Around 25 cents

Calories per serving: 82 (for mixed vegetables)

Frozen vegetables come in 12-ounce to 24-ounce bags that cost anywhere from $1.75 to $2.25 and contain 6-8 cups, depending on the vegetable and the size of the bag. I like them because they keep a long time, don’t need any chopping, and cook quickly in the microwave.

6. Potato (Russet)

Cost per serving: About 23 cents per potato

Calories per serving: 168 calories

Potatoes are great whether you have them mashed, boiled, or baked. Just avoid the fattening toppings; stick to a little butter or margarine, or pile them with broccoli and melt some low-fat cheese on top.



Cheap, Convenient and Tasty

7. Canned Tuna (solid white albacore or chunk light in water)

Cost per serving (3 oz): About 62 cents

Calories per serving: 70

Tuna is healthy for you, filled with protein, and it’s so quick and convenient, too. Use it in salads, casseroles, or just plain.

8. Bananas

Cost per serving (1 banana): about 20 cents

Calories per serving: 100

Bananas are an easily portable source of fiber, potassium and vitamin B6. Eat them plain, slice them into cereal, or blend them into healthy shakes.

9. Apples

Cost per serving (1 apple): about 60 cents

Calories per serving: 80

Apples are full of fiber and make a great snack anytime.



Dense nutrition with and good for you.

10. Lowfat Milk

Cost per serving (8 oz.): about 35 cents

Calories per serving: 100

Milk is rich in protein, vitamins A and D, potassium, and niacin, and is one of the easiest ways to get bone-strengthening calcium.

Photo Credit via Flickr