Twelve Superfoods For $1 or Less
24 
March 5, 2013
One of the excuses for not eating healthier is that it is expensive. Hey, I get it.
Whenever I shop at Whole Foods, I feel like a vacuum cleaner has been applied to my wallet. The key is to leave the $20 per pound wild shrimp alone, and start shopping smart.
I was cruising the internet when I found this great slideshow: Eating Well 12 Superfoods For $1 or Less. Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., put together this list with price per serving to help us see how affordable these healthy foods are.
Some of these foods will cost you more because you will have to add ingredients to make them edible, such as lentils. But, many of them can be eaten raw (apples, oranges, carrots).
I was happy to see that I have featured many of these “superfoods” on Snack Girl. I can honestly say that I eat a few from this list every week and some of them on a daily basis.
If you haven’t tried one of the foods on this list, at least you won’t spend a lot to try one.
- Lentils
- Oats
- Kale
- Almonds
- Tea
- Oranges
- Canned Tuna
- Peanut Butter
- Apples
- Eggs
- Carrots
- Cabbage
What other foods are inexpensive and healthy? What is missing from the list?
Other posts you might like:
 | Top Ten Budget Healthy Snacks It seems like every visit to the grocery store is a shock. You want to charge me how much for those crackers?... read more |
 | Fantastic Ideas For 10 Dollar Dinners Got $25 for a dinner for four? First, you buy a book for $15 and then you pay $10 for the ingredients.... read more |
Get new posts by email (it's free)
First 20 Comments: [ see all 24 ]
For a healthy lunch I love to mix a can of tuna w/ 1/2 an avacodo in place of mayo and one slice of whole wheat bread. Whatever doesn't fit in the bread I eat w/a fork. This fills me up for a looong time. Calorie count about: 390 add some spicy mustard for extra zing. Only snag is that your not supposed to eat tuna too often.
Erin on March 5, 2013
Erin I do the same thing except I use the single package of salmon.
Sue K on March 5, 2013
Sue,
How do you serve the TJ lentils?
Susan on March 5, 2013
Susan - I add some to a salad, or serve with lemon juice, olive oil, feta cheese, red peppers, red onion and fresh parsley. Add to chili instead of meat or add to soup.
Sue on March 5, 2013
I eat everything on this list except tuna. I try to eat it but I just don't like it. If anyone has suggestions for brands or ways to dress it up, I would love it. I HATE celery and onion so traditional tuna salads are out.
Diane on March 5, 2013
The key is to stop looking for foods that are cheap and start looking for foods that are nutrient dense. Nutrient dense foods not only pack more vitamins and minerals per ounce, they also help keep you full longer, thus you eat less. Many of the items on your list are nutrient dense. But the $20 per pound wild shrimp IS also nutrient dense (I can get it for much cheaper than that, too). So, do get some other foods that are nutrient dense even if they are a little more "expensive."
Cristina @ An Organic Wife on March 5, 2013
Canned pureed pumpkin! I know everyone thinks its a Fall food, but you can bake with it (use it to replace some of the fat in nearly any baked good) year round. Also, I stir 1/4 cup into my oatmeal every morning. Soooo good! Such a great and tasty way to get your vitamin A and some fiber.
Mary B on March 5, 2013
Diane, sometimes I will put tuma mixed with whole grain cous cous, cucumber, tomato, and roasted red pepper tossed with balsamic vinegar, pepper, sea salt andcoregano, and
If you like spicy stuff like me I add red pepper flake and hot sauce.
brandy on March 5, 2013
What about spinach? Is that as "super" as kale? Personally not fond of the de-stemming work or the bitter taste of kale. Kale chips,when I make them, I can eat by the truckload, but they tend to be a little greasy - maybe I'm too heavy-handed with the EVOO?
Jaye on March 5, 2013
I found egg cups at Crate and Barrel. They range in price from .95 to 1.95.
Maya on March 5, 2013
does roasting the kale to make chips remove any nutrients?
Lisa on March 5, 2013
A delicious dip I have made using the Trader Joes cooked lentils is to add a container of TJoes bruschetta to the lentils. It is amazing! I dip whole grain crackers or veggies in it. Can also use it as a flavorful topping for anything!
erika on March 5, 2013
Brown Rice - one of the world's most healthiest foods! I make cooked brown rice often for my family and sometimes make enough to have leftovers. Here is what I do to make a healthy treat for my kids (and me!). You can cut back on the sugar or cut it all together. My leftover brown rice pudding -
http://partykitchen.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/leftover-brown-rice-pudding/
Colleen on March 5, 2013
Erika Never bought the Bruschetta before, will be buying that next time I go to TJ
Sue on March 5, 2013
@Diane, you may like this! I just made lunch from this list and didn't even know it. My new and improved tuna salad is good for lunch today and tomorrow. It's 2 big handfuls of shred cabbage (slaw mix), 2 cans of tuna, and 1 large apple diced up. Mix together with just enough mayo to hold it together and add pepper to taste. Eat half today, half tomorrow. It's delish, protein packed, cheap, easy, VERY FILLING, and no cooking required. I'd probably add in a diced hard boiled egg white or two if i had any handy (leave out the yolk since you already have the fatty mayo). I also mixed in some lowfat bottled ranch since i was short on mayo today and it was good, too.
Angie M. on March 5, 2013
I am surprised by some of the items on the list, as I cannot find most of those items for less then $1.
Amira on March 5, 2013
Colleen, mmmm! I have been thinking about remaking old fashioned rice pudding alot lately using brown rice and almond milk. I am the only one home who likes it but oh well, it'll be that infrequent treat. I haven't made this in years and had used eggs too for a custardy result, my favorite. I'm going into my ''test kitchen'' and try it! I'm thinking cinn, nutmeg and raisins will make it sweet enough but a lump or two of sugar is not much spread over an entire desert casserole. Thanks for the recipe!
I regularly use all these superfoods except sub salmon for tuna and rarely indulge in peanut butter. :)
BARB L on March 5, 2013
obviously food is cheaper where you live....here in WY half the foods you listed are over $1 easily (in some cases 2 or 3!). Just sayin'.
Holly Cunningham on March 5, 2013
RIce Pudding- even if you use brown rice, it would still raise glycemic index - I wonder if the rice pudding could be made with Quinoa or Bulgur instead of any kind of rice, yet still use your wonderful suggestion of almond milk (unsweetened). Hmmmm - Snack Girl, want to try it and let us know if it works????? :-)
Helene on March 6, 2013
Sue on March 5, 2013