How to be healthy on a budget

We live in a day in age where fast food runs rampant and convenience is more of a priority than health. Everywhere you look there are “Happy Meals” for $1 and burgers for $1.99. If you don’t know better, this can seem easier than making food at home or paying a bit more for a healthier option.

I’m not going to say that eating healthier is always cheaper or faster, because compared to $1-meals, it’s not, but I will promise that it doesn’t have to expensive and will pay off in the long run.

Here’s a list of healthy food under $5:

Organic Vegetables:

Organic Kale – $2.88/bunch

Organic Beets – $3.45

Organic Broccoli – $4.03

Organic Red Cabbage – $1.50

Organic Cauliflower – $4.50

Organic Lettuce Head – $2.54

Organic Carrots – $0.50 each, $2 per pound

Organic Fruit:

Organic Apples – $.75 each

Organic Pears – $.85 each

Organic Oranges – $.50 each

Organic Kiwis – $.50 each

Organic Beans, which are full of protein:

Black Beans $0.30 per 1/2 cup, $1.50 per can

Garbanzo Beans – $0.12 per 1/2 cup, $1.50 per pound (dry, in bulk)

Pinto Beans – $0.30 per 1/2 cup, $3 per can

Organic Nuts & Seeds:

Almonds – $0.60 per ounce (20-25 nuts), $5 per 8-ounce bag

Peanuts – $0.50 per ounce (25-30 nuts), $4 per 8-ounce bag

Pistachios – $.50 per ounce

Pumpkin Seeds – $.49 per 1/4 cup serving

Organic Grains:

Brown Rice – $0.18 per 1/4 cup, $2 per pound

Quinoa – $0.60 per 1/4 cup, $5 per 12-ounce box

Oatmeal – $0.18 per ½-cup dry serving

Snacks:

Popcorn – $0.30 per 1/2 cup, $1 per pound for kernels