One of the biggest problems many people face when trying to lose weight is being able to afford healthy food. Without a doubt, it is more affordable to eat unhealthily. That doesn’t mean you should eat unhealthy foods though. In fact, there are some foods out there that are good for you and won’t break the bank. Best of all, you don’t even have to wait for them to be on sale.
Dried Beans
You can purchase a large bag of dried beans for less than $5. The best part is, not only are dried beans less expensive than canned, but they’re healthier as well. You don’t have to deal with massive amounts of sodium or any of the fat that the company may have added to enhance the flavor. Not to mention that there’s a bean for almost any type of dish you’re preparing. If you love Mexican, grab some dried black beans. If Italian is more your style, grab some white beans for a large pot of soup. Beans are truly a versatile food staple to keep your cabinet. They make great side dishes and can even be made into a meal by themselves.
Brown Rice
A large bag of brown rice costs around $3. When shopping for brown rice, you want to make sure to avoid quick cooking rice as it has been stripped of most of its nutrients to make it easier to cook. If you want to make brown rice easier to cook, you can purchase a basic rice cooker for less than $15. As for using brown rice, the options are endless. Brown rice can be a healthy and affordable way to stretch a meal when mixed with lean meat and vegetables. If can also be tossed with vegetables and a fat free dressing to create a simple salad. You could even mix brown rice and beans with a few spices to create a wonderful meat free meal. Of course, don’t forget what a great bed it makes for other foods. Using brown rice in place of mashed potatoes is a much healthier option.
Whole Wheat Pasta
Whole wheat pasta is a much healthier option than pasta made with refined flour. It’s also came down in price over the years making it almost as affordable as regular pasta. You can usually purchase a large box of whole wheat pasta for less then $4. Like beans and brown rice, whole wheat pasta has many uses. It can be made into a quick salad, added to soups, used in casseroles or simply tossed with a low calorie sauce. Regardless of how you use whole wheat pasta, you’re adding fiber to your diet, which a great thing.
Peanut Butter
While a large jar of peanut butter can cost over $5, you have to remember that it has many servings in that one jar. A serving of peanut butter is 2 tablespoons, which means that one jar of peanut butter can get you through many meals. While you may think that peanut butter is just for sandwiches, it’s actually quite versatile in the kitchen. Peanut butter can be used to make a wonderful Thai sauce for pasta. It’s a great substitute for maple syrup on pancakes. It’s even a great way to get kids to eat their fruits and vegetables.
Bananas
While many fruits can be expensive, bananas are one of those fruits that remains rather affordable. Bananas can be purchased for well under $1 per pound and have many uses in the kitchen. They can be chopped and added to the top of cereal or pancakes. The can be used in sandwiches along side peanut butter as an interesting lunch or snack option for children. Bananas can even be dipped in healthy dark chocolate and frozen as a healthy alternative to ice cream pops.
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