Canned fish has many health benefits and is significantly cheaper than fresh seafood. Additionally, fish provides a decent amount of the trace mineral selenium, which may boost immune system health and protect against cancer You can pair canned fish with salads, sandwiches, crackers and avocado or use it in several dishes, such as seafood cakes and stir-fries.

In only three ounces of ground pork, there are 22 grams of protein, in addition to a significant amount of B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, iron and selenium In half a chicken breast, there are 28 grams of high-quality protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids that your body needs , Chicken breast also contains high amounts of important vitamins and minerals, such as niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium Including chicken breast in a healthy, balanced diet has been shown to help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

It may also protect against the risk of cancer Cottage cheese is a great source of protein, providing In addition, it contains a variety of other nutrients, including calcium and phosphorus, which are known for playing an important role in bone health You can enjoy cottage cheese as a delicious snack.

It tastes great when combined with fruit and is often added to salads. In only one cup grams of yogurt, there are 8. Furthermore, some yogurts are good sources of probiotics , which are healthy bacteria that may benefit digestive health , Yogurt tastes great when combined with fruit or nuts, or it can be added to smoothies.

It can also be made into a sauce and combined with cooked dishes. One cup grams of whole milk provides a significant amount of protein, calcium, B vitamins and phosphorus.

Consuming milk and other dairy products on a regular basis may help prevent several chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and certain cancers , , , The 29 foods listed in this article are both cheap and healthy, making them a great addition to your diet.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Numerous foods are marketed as healthy but contain hidden ingredients.

Here are 14 "health foods" that aren't as nutritious as you thought. While some sources of protein are expensive, there are also many affordable high protein foods. Here is a list of 17 healthy protein sources that….

While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Carb counting is complicated. Take the quiz and test your knowledge! Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food….

While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern. Let's look deeper:. Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 28 Healthy Foods That Are Incredibly Cheap.

Medically reviewed by Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT — By Brianna Elliott, RD — Updated on February 28, The bottom line. Meal prep: Non-boring salad. How we reviewed this article: History. Feb 28, Written By Brianna Elliott. Medically Reviewed By Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT.

Aug 20, Written By Brianna Elliott. Share this article. Read this next. By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD. How Nutritionists Can Help You Manage Your Health. Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R. Healthy Lifestyle May Offset Cognitive Decline Even in People With Dementia A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —… READ MORE.

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Carb Counting? READ MORE. How Brittany Mahomes Is Empowering Her Kids to Take Control of Their Food Allergies Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food… READ MORE.

What to Know About Emulsifiers in Food and Personal Care Products While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern. This classic measuring cup is durable, legible, and easy to clean.

A digital scale has you covered for measuring dry ingredients, but measuring liquids is often easier with a liquid measuring cup. Such a tool also works well for slowly drizzling oil into a mixture, keeping water on hand to add gradually to a dough, or even watering plants. Made of durable tempered glass and labeled with clearly printed, legible measurement markings, this Pyrex measuring cup is another of our longtime favorite kitchen tools.

Its spout pours a smooth stream, and it stacks well with other Pyrex measuring cups. This durable can opener turns smoothly and cuts through cans with ease.

The EZ-Duz-It grips cans securely and cuts through them smoothly, removing lids entirely rather than leaving you with a sharp disk clinging to the can. You might want to hit the thrift store for plates, cups, bowls, and cutlery, as well as an oven mitt or a fun hobby appliance such as an ice cream maker or Instant Pot.

Beyond that, here are a few more of our favorite inexpensive kitchen tools that can help you round out your newly equipped kitchen. Scissors are indispensable if you want to fully debone or spatchcock a chicken, but you can also use them to cut kimchi into bite-size pieces, cut rings of green onion for a quick garnish, or just cut into a package.

The OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scissors can handle all those tasks smoothly. These scissors have sharp blades that come apart for easy cleaning, and one blade has a micro-serrated edge to keep slippery ingredients like raw poultry in place as you cut.

A silicone spatula is great for folding together cookie dough or scraping every drop of aioli out of your mixing bowl, and this one is the best. If you love to bake treats or make sauces, add a silicone spatula to your shopping list. Perfect for scraping and folding, the GIR Ultimate Spatula adds a bit more precision and ease to tasks that you could otherwise do with a spoon.

Like the Victorinox paring knife, the serrated Victorinox Swiss Classic Tomato and Table Knife is a reliable, inexpensive tool from a trusted brand known for great blades. Add it to your kitchen if you love taking a baguette to the park or need your tomatoes sliced just so.

A set of measuring spoons helps you get more precise measurements of small quantities of dry or wet ingredients. The Ozeri digital scale we recommend in this guide measures quantities down to 1 gram, but digital scales can get iffy with smaller and fractional measurements—1.

Trying to portion out small quantities while watching the scale can also be annoyingly slow and finicky compared with just dipping a spoon in a jar. For the easiest, most accurate measurement of small quantities of ingredients, add a set of measuring spoons to your kitchen.

The spoons in the Sur La Table Spice Measuring Spoons set are sturdy and accurate, and they fit into most spice jars. These existing picks are the result of hundreds of hours of testing over the course of many years.

Mace Dent Johnson is a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter. Their background is in creative writing and academic research, and they are always thinking about food.

After around 60 hours of research and testing since , we think the accurate and inexpensive Escali Primo Digital Kitchen Scale is the best for most people. After dozens of hours researching and testing organizing options, we recommend more than 20 items to make the most out of your tiny kitchen.

Microwaves basically all perform the same, but we like the Toshiba EMA5C for its looks and its useful extra features. We tested 50 dinnerware sets in a wide range of designs and prices. We found 11 favorites to suit any lifestyle and budget.

Back to top Must-have essentials Optional extras Why you should trust us. Must-have essentials. An everyday pan plus a spatula pick a set. Our pick. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Inch Cast Iron Skillet A deep, heavy, buy-it-for-life skillet.

Winco FST-6 6. Tramontina Professional Nonstick Inch Restaurant Fry Pan One of our favorite nonstick pans. GIR Mini Flip Silicone Spatula An all-purpose, nonstick-friendly flipper. A midsize pot and strainers. Cuisinart Mesh Strainers Three fine-mesh strainers. Good blades and a cutting board.

Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife The best paring knife. You can find so many different vegetables in cans, such as pickled beets, asparagus, corn, and much more.

They are perfect for soups too. Depending on where you live and what time of year it is, you can get certain fresh vegetables on sale. Again, buying in bulk helps here, and you can wash them, then blanch them to freeze the extra vegetables.

Fresh veggies are great for soups, snacks, and other healthy meals. We always have onions at home. They are probably one of the most used vegetables because they are ingredients in so many recipes. Onions last a long time and are the perfect item for a low-budget grocery list.

Another pantry staple, garlic, is used in many dishes, especially Italian recipes. It lasts a long time, especially if you get the chopped garlic in jars. Add a dash to hamburgers, meatloaf, and sauces, especially spaghetti sauce, to bump up the flavor.

Canned pumpkin is a less expensive option than buying a whole one. You can use it in pumpkin pie and, of course, our favorite, pumpkin dump cake. You can also find other healthy pumpkin recipe ideas.

Salad is always a great cheap meal idea or side dish that accompanies many main dishes. You can buy Iceberg lettuce and other veggies instead of buying ready-made salad in a bag.

To make it even less expensive, you can make your own salad dressing. Depending on the season, green peppers can be less expensive vegetables to buy. We say stick with green peppers because red and orange ones are always more expensive.

They add flavor and texture to so many different dishes, especially Mexican recipes. Another leafy green vegetable to add to your list is Kale. Kale is healthy because it contains many vitamins and minerals like A, B6, K, and C. Since we mentioned spinach, we might as well add it here too. You can get frozen or canned spinach for a cheap price, and if fresh spinach is on sale, it has a lot of vitamins too.

People add cabbage to soup or make coleslaw with it. Celery is another great vegetable that is a popular ingredient in soups and stews. You can cut up celery and add peanut butter or cream cheese on top. Fruit can be expensive, and while canned fruit is okay, frozen fruit is even better.

You can use it in other dishes or thaw it and eat it. Frozen food has a long shelf life and is a great way to reduce your food expense by eliminating waste. However, bananas are one of the cheapest fruits you can buy. Like other foods, you can get the store brand at a better price than the brand names.

Canned fruit is a less expensive alternative to fruit cups. Remember, you always pay for convenience. Grapes are another inexpensive fruit because you get more for your money.

Grapes are a healthy snack and great in some salads. You get a lot of bang for your buck with watermelon. A large watermelon can last a long time. You can buy smaller oranges in a bag for a reasonable price at any time of year.

You can even add them to salads and use them in recipes. Different varieties are more expensive than others, but you can watch for the sales in your area. You can bake them with sugar and cinnamon or eat them as a snack. Like many other foods here, knowing when the sales are on certain foods can help you slash your budget.

You can snack on raw fruit, bake it in pies, and create other recipes with it. Beans are a super cheap pantry staple, and you can buy dry beans or canned beans.

Choose kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, or similar ones to cook in dishes or eat as a side dish. They are an excellent source of protein and have a high-fiber content. Beans are the perfect main ingredient for days like meatless Mondays.

Lentils are another great staple to keep in your pantry. They can be added to soup or used to fill other meals. Or you can make lentil chili or a lentil salad. Another great ingredient for cheap meals , pasta, can be used as a side or main dish.

Add it to soups to make them heartier, or fix a quick spaghetti for busy weeknight meals.

To test each cheap meal delivery service, I tried at least four and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service. I always choose a range of meals from the various menu and meal plan offerings. For instance, if a meal subscription service offers vegan or vegetarian meals I was sure to try at least one.

I also mixed up the cuisine types to include pasta, meat dishes, bowls and other various styles offered by the brand. To test the best cheap meal kits, there was another set of standards and protocols to adhere to.

Here's more on how we test meal kits at CNET. The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals ready to heat and eat. Prepared meals require almost no time and energy, other than what it takes to actually eat the food, but typically run a few dollars more per serving.

If you're keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services are better than others.

Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find the most nutritious options.

With almost every service, the more meals or servings are in your order per delivery, the cheaper it becomes per meal. Ideally, you'll want to determine exactly how much food makes sense for your household. That means it's less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go-around.

Services like Daily Harvest and Splendid Spoon have meals for similar prices but are focused more on grain bowls and smoothies and might be better for breakfast or lunch versus dinner. When it comes to meal kits, your options are many, and most services provide weekly recipes that are low on calories but still filling.

HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service, so that might be your best bet for finding consistent meals that keep your diet goals on track. But all services list the calorie content for each recipe, along with carbs, protein, sugar and sodium.

Depending on your weight loss goals, a healthy prepared meal delivery or meal kit service can help. Fresh N Lean, Pete's Real Food and Daily Harvest all have low-calorie meals to choose from. Some of the services listed here are healthy prepared meal delivery services , sending fully cooked meals -- often frozen or partially frozen -- and ready to eat when you receive them.

Others include health-focused meal kits with premeasured ingredients all boxed up and ready for easy weeknight cooking. There's a stark difference between meal kits and meal delivery, but both make dinnertime easier and can translate into healthier eating choices for you in Plus, we sussed out the best healthy meal services for those on special diets like keto or paleo or for those who wish to eat organic prepared meals and meal kits.

Wellness Nutrition. Written by David Watsky. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks.

If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.

Since earning a BA in English from Northeastern in Boston, he's toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom. Right now, he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or researching the best way to make bacon.

Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week. Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits. See full bio. Why You Can Trust CNET. Table of Contents Top. Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of What's the best cheap meal delivery service?

Cheapest meal delivery services for Cheapest prepared meal services compared. How we test meal kits and meal delivery services. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service. Why you should trust us. Cheap meal delivery FAQs. Back to selection. See at EveryPlate.

Best cheap meal kits overall. See at Fresh N' Lean. Best cheap prepared meal delivery overall. See at Dinnerly. Best cheap meal kits for picky eaters. See at Mosaic Foods. Best cheap vegan meals. See at Blue Apron. Best cheap meal kits that include steak and seafood.

See at Daily Harvest. Best cheap meal delivery for breakfast and lunch. See at HelloFresh. Best cheap meal kits for diet and weight loss. FILTER BY all Meal Kit Prepared Meal. Showing 7 of 7 Results. Editors' choice. Show less.

CNET rating out of 10 8. Cons Not as many healthy options No customization allowed. Type Meal Kit. Good for Healthy, family-friendly, comfort food, picky eaters, quick and easy. Full Review Read full review.

See at EveryPlate Best cheap meal kits overall EveryPlate. Show expert take Show less. CNET rating out of 10 9. Pros Food mostly tastes great Good for diets and healthy eating plans. Cons Expensive if you only order fewer than 10 meals per week. Type Prepared Meal.

Meal options per week Good for Keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten-free Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, high-protein. See at Fresh N' Lean Best cheap prepared meal delivery overall Fresh N Lean.

CNET rating out of 10 7. Pros Huge recipe selection More healthy options than other budget services. Cons Some recipes are bland and boring. Regional Availability Continental United States. See at Dinnerly Best cheap meal kits for picky eaters Dinnerly.

png","caption":" ","credits":"Mosaic Foods meal delivery service","imageData":{"id":"1cb0d31acfa-a2ea-2ad6b","filename":"mosaic. Pros Food is some of the best we tried Hearty and filling recipes. Cons Vegan pizzas are just OK. In addition to being cheap and easy to make, ramen noodles are also highly versatile.

They can be used in soups, stir-fries, salads, and desserts. You can add vegetables or meat for a more hearty, well-balanced meal. And with so many different flavor packets available, this pretty cheap food can be a great way to add variety to your diet on a budget.

Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients you can buy when broke. Add it to your cheapest groceries list to help you stretch your budget further. Four is perfect for making your own bread, pizza dough, pastries, etc.

Sugar is another one of those ingredients essential for baking, but it can also be used in plenty of ways. A bag of sugar is typically very inexpensive and has a long shelf life, making it an excellent option for those on a tight budget.

A loaf of bread provides dozens of servings and can be used for everything from sandwiches and croutons to bread pudding and French toast.

Tortillas are an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget. They can be served as a main entree with many types of meat, used as a wrap for sandwiches, or even made into chips. Oats are one of the cheapest food additions to any diet. They are also very versatile: you can enjoy oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, add them to baked goods like muffins or cookies, or even use them as a topping for savory dishes like chicken or fish.

If you want an inexpensive way to add variety to your cheap grocery list, consider picking up a few tea boxes in different flavors. From Earl Grey to chamomile, there is a tea flavor for everyone. Tea is not only a great way to relax at the end of the day, but it can also help you stay hydrated and save some money on expensive sodas and coffees.

When buying peanut butter, look for natural brands that contain only peanuts and salt as the main ingredients. Avoid brands that contain added sugar, oils, or other unhealthy additives.

Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you. They are an affordable way to enjoy out-of-season produce that can also be used to make great sweets. Canned tomatoes are one of the best-canned items to buy when broke. They can be used to make homemade tomato soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and salsa.

You can even blend canned tomatoes to make sauce rather than buying jarred sauces, saving you more money at many grocery stores. Fruits and vegetables are the best cheap foods to buy, especially in season and from your local farms.

With a little bit of meal planning, you can save some money on your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or taste. When it comes to putting together a cheap grocery list, you want to add apples to it! They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season.

Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp. When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count.

Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes. Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven. Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium.

Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:. Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile. You can also use it to make wraps more healthy.

Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things.

They are an excellent source of vitamin c for the kiddos too. Carrots are often used in a stir-fry with peppers, as it helps to retain their nutrients while also giving them a slightly crispy texture. I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish.

One of the most popular meal ideas for using peppers is stir fry, but you can add them to your pasta sauce or tacos or make stuffed peppers. You can get them in a pack of frozen vegetables to get a little bit of everything for a bunch of different meal ideas, or buy them fresh on their own.

Celery is also one of the most healthy cheap foods to buy — a great option for budget-minded shoppers. This crunchy, low-calorie vegetable contains nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

Some of our favorites include sweet potato fries, green beans, and carrots. Plus, you should grab a stir-fry mix for some variety. You can also save some money by buying frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit. Some brands add sugar or other ingredients to their frozen fruit, so be sure to read the label before you buy.

A few items will always be super cheap, no matter when you buy them. Potatoes fit the bill perfectly for an item to buy when broke and looking for cheaper foods with several meal ideas. You can do many things with potatoes. One meal idea is a baked potato with whatever you want on top of it, like cheese, broccoli, and chicken.

When it comes to stocking your pantry on a budget, proteins are often one of the most expensive items on your grocery list. Eggs can be used in a variety of dishes or by themselves. They are one of the cheapest foods to buy, especially when compared to other protein sources like meat or tofu.

Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, or made into an omelet, and they go well with various other ingredients. Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry. Ground meat is a cheap source of protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to meatloaves, and it is typically very budget-friendly.

When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date. These products will be discounted and still fresh and safe to eat.

One of the cheapest foods to buy is ground turkey. Plus, freeze ground turkey when you find good sales. Sausage is an affordable and delicious option for your cheap grocery list that can be used in everything from breakfast dishes to dinner casseroles.

If you are looking for meal ideas, consider using sausage in a frittata, omelet, or quiche. You can also add it to pasta, rice, or soups. For example, you could slowly cook it in a crockpot or Instant Pot for pulled beef sandwiches or tacos or simply dice it for beef stew.

No matter how you prepare it, chuck roast is delicious and affordable meat to add to your meal-planning ideas! Chicken thighs are another great source of protein and are usually one of the cheapest foods to buy- even cheaper than chicken breasts. You can cook them almost the same as you would chicken breasts, including cutting the meat from the bone to add it to soups or casseroles.

Bologna is one of the cheapest foods to buy. You can put it in sandwiches, dice it up and add it to salads, or even fry it up as a main dish. Bologna is also made in different ways, so you can try various brands to suit your taste. Check the nutrition label before you buy, as some varieties can be high in fat and sodium.

Hot dogs are one of the cheapest foods to buy that your kids will love, and you can cook them quickly for nights on the go. You can enjoy hot dogs plain or dress them up with your favorite toppings.

Canned fish, like tuna or salmon, is a cheap but nutritious option for your grocery list. Canned fish is better to buy when broke, and you can make cheap meals like tuna salad or casserole in a flash. Canned chicken is an excellent option for those looking for the cheapest groceries that are also healthy.

This protein-rich food can be used in various ways, from chicken salad sandwiches to casseroles.