Also see advice for Holiday Food on a Budget. Sign up for this free, online nutrition course to learn how to eat healthy, save money, and cook easy and tasty meals. There are 15 self-paced lessons available. An official website of the United States government.

Here's how you know. dot gov icon Official websites use. 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. If your shopping list includes nuts, beans, or grains, consider buying in bulk to save money and keep your pantry well-stocked for future meal planning.

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, frozen and canned options can be healthy alternatives to fresh produce. Many frozen veggies and fruits even have resealable packaging that allows you to use what you need and store the rest. Be sure to read the label for any added sugar or salt.

And skip frozen options that have added butter or cream sauces. Coupons are a great way to save on your grocery bill. You can clip coupons from newspapers and ads or search online for digital coupons.

Coupons are a great way to save on your grocery bill, especially if you have your shopping list planned out. You can search for online coupons for the ingredients on your list.

With over a billion coupons available each year, you will likely find a coupon that you can use. Even low-value cents-off coupons can really add up. Items like canned tomatoes, milk, olive oil, and frozen fruits and vegetables are usually available in a cheaper store brand version.

Learning which store brands your grocery store carries can help you reduce your total at the cash register. Visit the ADCES website to learn more about diabetes self-management education and support DSMES services and how diabetes educators can help you create a meal plan that fits your health needs, tastes, and budget.

If you can, growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to save money and have fresh produce at your fingertips. Having a constant supply of fresh produce at home can save you money at the store.

Diabetes meal plans for healthy eating are not one size fits all. Work with a diabetes care and education specialist to create a meal plan that fits your health needs, tastes, and budget.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search. Español Other Languages. Español Spanish. Instead, use any leftover pesto in these quick and easy pesto recipes. Turn budget-friendly shaved cooked ham into a delicacy by serving it on mashed sweet potatoes and topping it with cranberry sauce.

This healthy dinner recipe on a budget offers a taste of Thanksgiving any time of year. Not into ham or craving more holiday spirit? Try this with sliced smoked turkey instead. Your favorite Tuscan-inspired restaurant may not be the first place you'd head to get inspiration for healthy meals on the cheap.

But much of this Italian region's cuisine is humble and healthy. Tuscan cooks are fond of using cannellini beans. Here the beans partner with other great Mediterranean diet -friendly ingredients for a true-to-Italy dish that won't break the bank or your nutrition goals. When coming up with cheap, healthy meals, consider cooking with whitefish.

The affordable and lean protein is mild enough to please even picky eaters. Enjoy it on these crowd-pleasing tostadas perfectly seasoned with chili powder, garlic, and lime. On the hunt for affordable, healthy meals that work for dinner or brunch?

Get cracking—eggs, that is. Here protein-rich, budget-friendly eggs pair with other pantry staples for a cheap and easy recipe under calories per serving. Save even more money when you substitute dried herbs you have on hand for the fresh herbs. Start planning your next chili night now.

This low-cost slow cooker chili recipe can be prepped in 25 minutes. Stir everything together in the slow cooker early in the day and come home to a healthy dinner loaded with veggies and 14 grams of protein. Sticking to healthy meals on a budget often means driving past your favorite eatery and straight home.

But with nutritious restaurant remakes like this, you can don't have to miss out on take-out flavor while saving money, sodium, and calories. Not only does this well-balanced pasta recipe clock in at under calories per serving, but it also takes only 20 minutes to prepare.

Comforting chili flavors, pasta, and cheese make this meal a family favorite. Oh yes, and it all comes together in one pan.

Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness; in this recipe, they're spiced and seasoned to give the fajitas extra flavor. Bonus: If you grill no matter the season , this dish belongs in your regular rotation of budget-friendly healthy dinner recipes because you can find these veggies any time of year.

Burger night just earned itself a healthy vegetarian upgrade. Here we blend fiber- and protein-rich chickpeas with warm spices, sear them to crisp perfection, then serve with crunchy, good-for-you veggies.

Whole wheat noodles, no-salt-added canned tomatoes, and shrimp make this delicious meal surprisingly low-cal and nutritious.

Use frozen shrimp instead of fresh to cut the cost of the seafood. Just don't skip the pinch of crushed red pepper flakes—they give this healthy meal on a budget just enough kick. How many cheap, healthy meals can you make without chopping anything? This is one of the rare few. It's a no-knife-needed, "dump and done" slow cooker recipe for when you have no more than 10 minutes of hands-on prep time to spare.

This slow cooker dump dinner might be the easiest of all: It requires no chopping or measuring. How easy is that? Six ingredients, 10 minutes of prep time, and great flavor combine to make this a cheap, healthy dinner idea for any night of the week.

Since they're often loaded with affordable rice, canned veggies, and ground meat, stuffed peppers are one of the best dinner ideas to keep your wallet stuffed too. Thanks to Cuban elements like briny olives, earthy almonds, and sweet raisins, this recipe is wildly flavorful.

We know that combo might sound different from what you'd usually pair with beef and brown rice, but we bet you and your dinner companions will be blown away.

Easy, cheap, healthy meals don't get fresher or more flavorful than this. The minute recipe features favorites from the Mediterranean diet, including chicken , feta cheese, olives , and tomatoes, for a meal bursting with flavor that still feels light.

We'll never say no to pasta dinners , but sometimes, we're more in the mood for potatoes. On those nights, we turn to gnocchi, a traditional potato-based Italian dumpling. This healthy dinner brings together sweet corn , arugula, and a plethora of seasonings to make one delicious dinner that you'd never guess is budget-friendly.

The veggies amp up the nutrients, too. It's a great choice when you're looking for low-sodium recipes too. Turn a classic pork chop into a tangy, tropical meal.

Consider buying frozen vegetables to add to your pasta dishes. Frozen veggies are usually cheaper than fresh vegetables and just as nutritious. To save even more money, make a big batch of pasta at the beginning of the week and reheat leftovers for quick meals later in the week.

Popcorn is a great snack and a family favorite for us! A single bag of popcorn is usually less than a dollar, making it an affordable option for a tight budget. Plus, popcorn is low in calories and fat, making it an excellent choice for losing weight or maintaining weight.

Regarding food spending, generic cereal is better for saving money. Generic is typically cheaper than name-brand cereal and can still provide good nutritional value with good taste. Generic cereals are often made with the same grains and other ingredients as name-brand cereals to be just as healthy.

Ramen noodles are instant noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water and typically feature a flavoring packet.

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.

Online retailers. There are plenty of websites available that offer grocery deliveries—which can save you plenty of time and in some cases also money. Some online retailers offer discounted rates over traditional grocery stores while others such as Thrive Market in the U.

also focus on healthy, non-processed foods. Always factor in any delivery charges or membership fees when comparing prices. Shop the perimeter of the store first. Eat a healthy snack before shopping.

Take advantage of sales. If you have the shelf or freezer space, stock up on staples or products that you use often when they go on sale. Be smart about coupons. Your body relies on protein for many of its functions. Affording some meat and fish sources of protein, though, can put a real strain on your food budget.

By making a few dietary adjustments, you can save money and still enjoy plenty of protein in your diet. Purchase less expensive cuts of meat by comparing the price per pound on different options. Try using chicken thighs rather than breasts, or stewing beef rather than a prime cut of steak to make tasty casseroles, soups, stews, and stir-fries.

Bulk out meat dishes with other ingredients. Add rice, pasta, fresh or frozen vegetables, beans, or whole grains to meat to make delicious, filling meals. Combine ground meat with black beans in tacos, for example, add whole grains to meatloaf, or add lots of veggies to a chicken stir fry.

Experiment with vegetarian sources of protein. Unprocessed veggie proteins, such as soy, tofu, beans, and lentils, can be tasty, easy to prepare, and inexpensive.

Eggs are not just for breakfast. Veggie omelets and frittatas, for example, make quick and healthy meals that are high in protein and low in cost. Add a side of rice, beans, or salad for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Enjoy probiotics. Non-dairy probiotic foods include sauerkraut, vegetables that have been pickled in brine rather than vinegar, miso soup, and tempeh.

Use canned fish or chicken as a healthy, inexpensive option for things like sandwiches, enchiladas, casseroles, and salads. Preparing large portions of food to use over multiple meals can save you time and energy as well as money. Cook once and eat multiple times.

Cook a large meal at the beginning of the week so that you have extra to use later in the week when you don't feel like cooking. One-pot dishes , such as soups, stews, or casseroles, save on preparation time, money, and dishwashing. Freeze leftovers or re-use them for lunch.

For a cheap and nutritious breakfast, cook one pot of oatmeal and heat up a serving each morning; vary it by adding fruit, nuts, or seeds.

Instead of throwing away leftovers or forgetting about them at the back of the fridge, get creative and use them to make new meals. Soups, stews, or stir-fries. Create a base with broth or a sauce, or by sautéing onion or garlic, then add any leftovers you have. A small amount of meat is perfect to add flavor and substance.

You can also experiment with herbs and spices to create unique flavors. Everything burritos. Most leftovers make very tasty burritos. Simply put everything into a tortilla shell try to get whole grain with a little cheese or salsa and enjoy.

Experiment with combinations. You may be surprised how many foods with different flavors go well together. For example, try making a large green salad and adding cooked whole grains and veggies on the top, as well as pieces of meat from another meal.

If you live in a dorm, bachelor apartment, hotel room, or other type of housing without a full kitchen, you may have limited space to store perishables and leftovers and minimal kitchen equipment for cooking your own meals. BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more.

Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Most of us crave sweets from time to time. But instead of expensive, processed desserts packed with sugar, such as cakes, cookies, and muffins, there are healthier ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.

If you don't have a Popsicle tray, use an ice-cube tray with plastic spoons as handles. Home-baked items. Oatmeal cookies with rolled oats are a good example of a healthier, home-baked dessert. Try reducing the amount of sugar any recipe calls for—many desserts taste just as good.

Buy a large container of plain yogurt and make each serving unique by adding seasonal fruit. Frozen treats. Try freezing grapes or berries or cutting bananas or peaches into pieces and then freezing. For an amazing dessert pour dark chocolate sauce over the fruit. Dark chocolate. Many of us have chocolate cravings—and dark chocolate is actually quite high in antioxidants.

Eat Well Guide or Local Harvest. How focusing on the experience of eating can improve your diet. This diet can help fight heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and more.

How choosing healthier carbs can improve your health and waistline. BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy. Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist.

Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide. org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. Please donate today to help us save, support, and change lives. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to go to the desired page.

Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Your Guide to Mental Health and Wellness. Return Mental Health.

Autism Childhood Issues Learning Disabilities Family Caregiving Parenting Teen Issues. Return Relationships. Return Aging Well.

Return Handbook. Healthy Living Aging in Place Sleep Online Therapy. About Us Meet Our Team Our Story Jeanne Segal, Ph. Harvard Health Partnership Audio Meditations Newsletter. The challenge of eating well on a budget.

Healthy Eating Eating Well on a Budget Today, many of us are living on a budget and looking for ways to reduce food expenses. Copy Link Link copied! Download PDF.

By Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M. The challenge of eating well on a budget Eating healthy for less is about more than just the cost of food Eat healthy for less tip 1: Plan ahead Tip 2: Make smart food choices Tip 3: Shop wisely Tip 4: Find cheaper protein options Tip 5: Stretch your money when you cook Tip 6: Make sweet treats healthy and affordable.

Reviewed by Tami Best, MS, RDN, CDN, IFNCP , a Certified Registered Dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching specializing in gastrointestinal issues and mental health modifications The challenge of eating well on a budget Eating a healthy diet is crucial to your mental and emotional health as well as your physical wellbeing.

Eating healthy for less is about more than just the cost of food The pleasure of eating even the simplest of meals increases when you share it with other people. Eat healthy for less tip 1: Plan ahead Saving money on food involves revising your shopping habits, eliminating waste, and focusing on healthier choices—and that can require a little planning ahead.

Tip 2: Make smart food choices Try to eliminate unhealthy foods from your list, such as soda, cookies, crackers, prepackaged meals, and processed foods. Can you eat organic on a budget? However, there can still be ways to enjoy the higher quality and stay within your budget: Opt for locally grown food.

Tip 3: Shop wisely The neighborhood grocery store is not the only place to shop. Shopping tips Wherever you choose to shop, these tips can help you stick within your budget. Join a grocery store savings club for more discounts and savings.

Tip 4: Find cheaper protein options Your body relies on protein for many of its functions. Tip 5: Stretch your money when you cook Preparing large portions of food to use over multiple meals can save you time and energy as well as money. Make new meals from old ones Instead of throwing away leftovers or forgetting about them at the back of the fridge, get creative and use them to make new meals.

Cooking without a proper kitchen If you live in a dorm, bachelor apartment, hotel room, or other type of housing without a full kitchen, you may have limited space to store perishables and leftovers and minimal kitchen equipment for cooking your own meals.

Try looking for bagged vegetables that can be cooked in a microwave and topped with oil, spices, or cheese for an affordable meal or side.

While you can invest in an inexpensive appliance such as a steamer, toaster oven, or hot plate to quickly and easily prepare meals, your best option may be a slow cooker or crock-pot. A slow cooker can easily create healthy, one pot meals like soup, stew, and chili, with minimal clean up after.

When slow cooked, even cheaper cuts of meat can taste delicious. A slow cooker also uses less energy than a conventional oven and won't overheat your living space in the summer.

Speak to a Licensed Therapist BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more.

Take Assessment HelpGuide is user supported. Learn more. More Information Helpful links. Spend Smart. Eat Smart - Tips on planning, shopping, and preparing healthy meals on a tight budget.

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. Spend Smart. Eat Smart. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Topics include: Aisle by Aisle Grocery Budget Calculator Unit Pricing.

Eating Healthy on a Budget. Purdue Unversity Extension. Stretching Your Food Dollar. University of Minnesota Extension. Unit Pricing. We've compiled a list of 10 cheap and healthy foods to help you keep those grocery bills down. Andrea has worked in several healthcare settings including clinical, public health and long-term care.

Andrea believes in achieving optimal health by incorporating healthier eating habits into your lifestyle and making healthy eating fun! When she's not running after her two boys, she enjoys creating content to encourage self-love and promote body positivity.

Elizabeth Ward is a registered dietitian and award-winning nutrition communicator and writer. She has authored or co-authored 10 books for consumers about nutrition at all stages of life. Our series, Good Food for All , examines the barriers to putting healthy food on the table and what is being done to help.

When trying to cut back on your grocery bills and purchase food that's inexpensive, the first thing that may come to mind is food that is unhealthy, ultra-processed and high in sodium and sugar.

But there are lots of healthy foods that are more affordable than acai bowls and organic kale salads. That said, trying to feed your family nutritious foods without breaking the bank can be a little bit of a struggle, so we wanted to make it as easy as possible. We've compiled a list of 10 super-budget-friendly healthy foods, plus tips to help you keep those grocery bills down.

Canned tomatoes are frequently used in many households. They're extremely versatile and very inexpensive. In addition to being a staple ingredient in many delicious recipes, canned tomatoes pack a significant nutritional punch.

They're a great source of vitamin C, as well as lycopene, which is an antioxidant that may reduce inflammation. Consuming tomatoes has also been linked to reducing "bad" LDL cholesterol and blood pressure levels according to a Biology Basel study.

Canned tomatoes can easily be added to soups, casseroles, stews and pasta dishes. Oats are a great nutrient-dense food to have on hand. They are super affordable and offer an easy way to provide your family with an impressive amount of nutrients.

A large container of plain oats is not only cheaper but also more nutritious than packets of prepared flavored oatmeal, which are more processed and often have added sugar.

Whole-grain rolled oats are rich in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels and helps keep you full and satisfied. A serving of oats also contains B vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium.

Oats are typically eaten for breakfast, but they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Add them to casseroles for an extra source of fiber, or mix it up with a bowl of savory oatmeal. Peanut butter is very cost-effective, delivering a lot of nutrition in a tiny package.

A serving is 2 tablespoons, which means that one jar can last for quite a while. Plus, it's a great source of plant-based protein as well as heart-healthy fats, vitamin E and B vitamins.

When choosing your peanut butter, try to look for options without added sugars, although they tend to be more expensive. Stir it into a bowl of oatmeal or swap out your pasta and red sauce for some tasty peanut noodles. Canned beans are budget-friendly and very nutritious. You can save even more money by choosing dried beans, but they do require more time to cook.

Beans contain a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium and potassium. They're also a great source of plant-based protein. One cup of canned or cooked beans contains about 15 grams of protein, which is essential for lots of bodily functions, including building and maintaining muscle strength.

Beans can be incorporated into many types of dishes. Try them in soups, salads, tacos and burritos. 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.