10 Healthy Foods Under $1
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Do you want to eat healthy foods without spending a fortune? If you’re working with a tight budget, but you want to eat food that will properly fuel your body, providing you with the vitamins and nutrients you need, check out this list of the healthy foods you can buy for $1 or less, depending on where you shop. These foods can help you get through the week, allowing you to spend about $10 per week on essential healthy items that are good for you and versatile enough to make various meals.
In case you missed this post, Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store
Inexpensive Farberware Sauce Pan. I also love these for the microwave, Pampered Chef Steamer.
We all need a few of these Can Openers
I love these for storage Souper Cubes
I freeze cooked rice in these Souper Cubes
10 Healthy Foods Under $1
1. Brown Rice
Did you know that you can get a small bag of brown rice at the dollar store? If you didn’t know that, it’s true, and it’s worth buying for several reasons. Brown rice contains nutrients that are good for your heart. Eating a portion of brown rice as a side dish, paired with a source of protein and vegetables, is a great way to prepare a healthy and fulfilling meal to get through the day. Because brown rice is so beneficial and can be found at the dollar store, it’s worth buying for $1 to save money and have healthy food at home. Because of the oil in brown rice, I store mine in the freezer.
2. Canned Veggies
When you don’t care about the brand name, you can get canned veggies for less than a dollar. The great news is that most generic brands charge 50 cents or less per can, allowing you to get at least two cans of veggies for a dollar. You can choose from a variety of options, including mixed peas and carrots, corn, string beans, peas, and more. Having two cans of veggies can take you far when you’re preparing wholesome, filling meals, especially if you combine them with brown rice.
3. Yogurt
Sure, some of the leading brands of yogurt may cost more than $1, but if you’re looking for some flavorful yogurt to eat for breakfast, you can get a great deal on generic options. Some healthy yogurt options available at Aldi cost less than 50 cents per container, so you can get more than one to last you throughout the week! Add some of the yogurts with a bit of fruit, and you have an enjoyable meal that can keep you full until lunchtime.
4. Beans
Beans are great because you can do a lot with them. Whether you’re adding them to a tortilla to make a bean burrito, putting them in a salad, using them to make chili, or even eating them with your brown rice, they’re good for you and offer the vitamins and nutrients you need. So, it’s a good thing that you can buy them for less than $1. Depending on the brand and style of the beans, you may be able to get two cans for a dollar. It’s never a bad idea to have some cans of beans available in your pantry.
5. Eggs
Of course, this will depend on where you live. In some areas, the price for a dozen eggs is LESS than $1. You can find the best deals on eggs when shopping at discount stores like Aldi and Walmart. It’s always good to have eggs in the fridge. Not only are they an excellent source of protein, but they’re also versatile enough to be prepared in different ways. You can prepare a variety of dishes, including fried eggs, hard-boiled eggs, chopped egg salad, egg drop soup, and many more.
6. Whole Wheat Bread
If you shop at Walmart or Aldi and buy the generic brand of whole wheat bread, you can get it for $1 or less. In some stores, it’s available for as low as 79 cents, which is quite a steal. Whole wheat bread is good to have because it’s a complex carb, an excellent source of vitamins, and it contains antioxidants.
You can make all kinds of sandwiches with bread, including ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, turkey and cheese, and much more. You can even use the bread to make French toast, toast with butter, and other delicious treats. If you learn to make bread, you will save even more money.
7. Canned Tuna Fish
The generic brand of canned tuna fish is often available for less than $1. If you can get it on sale, you can usually get two cans for the price of one, which will give you more than enough tuna to use in different ways. You can mix it with mayo to make a sandwich spread or add it to pasta with other ingredients for a tuna macaroni salad. Tuna fish is good for you because it contains omega-3 fatty acids that support brain development. Best of all, the fish flavor isn’t too overwhelming, so it’s great to have, even if you’re not that big of a fish eater.
8. Bagged Baby Carrots
Check out your local grocery store for bagged baby carrots. These small bags are often available for $1 or less and can stretch a long way. You can steam, bake, or eat them raw. If you’re going to eat them raw as a snack, be sure to have something to dip them in for more flavor, such as ranch dressing or peanut butter!
9. Bell Peppers
While packages of bell peppers may cost more than $1, a single bell pepper should cost less than that. You can slice one bell pepper into pieces and prepare it with rice, saute it with onions and meat, or dip it into cream cheese for more flavor. It’s a great ingredient to add to meals, but it also works as a quick snack when you want something healthy to eat. If you find a good buy, wash them, slice them, and freeze them in freezer bags. I do this all the time for casseroles or stir-fry dishes.
10. Bananas
If bananas cost 49 cents a pound or less, you can get a handful of them for $1. Bananas are beneficial because they provide potassium and essential vitamins. You can enjoy them with yogurt, oatmeal, or even on their own for a healthy, flavorful treat. Mark has eaten bananas with his cereal for years. He feels that this combination starts his day off right, and since, at age 79, he can do so without taking any prescriptions, he may be on to something.
FAQs: 10 Healthy Foods Under $1
1. Can you really eat healthy on a budget?
Yes! With careful planning and smart shopping, you can eat nutritious meals without breaking the bank. Staples like beans, oats, eggs, rice, and frozen vegetables are affordable, filling, and packed with nutrients.
2. What are some of the healthiest foods you can buy for under $1?
Foods like bananas, carrots, lentils, brown rice, canned tuna, oats, sweet potatoes, eggs, peanut butter, and frozen spinach are all nutrient-dense options that typically cost less than $1 per serving.
3. Are cheap foods still nutritious?
Absolutely. Many low-cost foods are naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. The key is to focus on whole, minimally processed options instead of prepackaged snacks or sugary foods.
4. How can I make these affordable foods taste better?
Use herbs, spices, and simple cooking techniques, such as roasting or stir-frying, to enhance the flavor of your dishes. A little seasoning or olive oil can make inexpensive foods taste gourmet without adding much cost.
5. What’s the best way to buy healthy foods on a tight budget?
Shop sales, use store-brand items, buy in bulk, and plan meals around inexpensive staples. Frozen fruits and vegetables are also budget-friendly alternatives to fresh produce.
6. Can I still meal prep with these budget-friendly foods?
Yes! Most of these foods, such as rice, beans, and eggs, are ideal for meal prepping. They store well in the fridge and can be combined in different ways throughout the week.
7. Are frozen or canned foods as healthy as fresh?
In many cases, yes. Frozen and canned options are often picked and preserved at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients. Just watch for added salt or sugar on the label.
8. What’s one of the cheapest and healthiest proteins I can buy?
Eggs and beans are two of the most affordable protein sources available. They’re versatile, filling, and provide essential nutrients your body needs.
9. How can I avoid food waste when buying cheap, healthy foods?
Plan your meals before shopping, store produce properly, and freeze extras. Using what you have before it spoils saves both food and money.
10. Is eating healthy on $1 foods sustainable long-term?
Definitely, building your diet around affordable staples can form the foundation of a nutritious and budget-friendly eating plan that’s easy to maintain over time.
Two-Ingredient Muffins by Leanne
Final Word
These are some of the healthiest foods you can buy for under $1. If you’re trying to stick to a budget but want to eat healthy while avoiding fast food, these are some of the best foods to add to your pantry and fridge. Be sure to shop at stores that offer generic brands at some of the lowest prices to get the most for your money. May God bless this world, Linda
Good stuff because folks are at different places in life
Hi Matt, thank you! And prices are still going up on food. Linda
This is a good list and a good reminder that building a pantry doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The perishables on the list can even be small batch preserved. Bonus because you’re not stuck in the kitchen all weekend but can still feel good putting by.
Hi Jerilea, thank you for your kind words. We can indeed stock a pantry with less money if we look for items like I showed today. Of course, there are also dollar-type stores as well. We can do this for less! Linda
Thank you for the info. People get really overwhelmed and inundated with examples of unhealthy foods. Usually the the processed stuff is usually the cheapest so that’s what they buy.
Hi Christina, I agree with you on the processed food, it typically is cheaper and has coupons. This is why I wanted to show families they do in fact have options. Linda
Please make sure you read the ingredients if you have allergies. I had bought some diced tomatoes with
chili’s. I loved them till I got a massive headache and my throat tightened up and I couldn’t breathe. I grabbed
the can and read the ingredients it had cilantro in it. I am allergic to it. I never would have thought about something
that said tomato with chili’s has cilantro in it. Thank goodness for Benadryl. I don’t buy to much canned items but if it is something that is not plain, like peas, corn or carrots I make sure I read the label closely.
Hi June, oh my gosh, how scary!! Thank goodness for Benadryl!! You are so right we need to check the ingredients in the cans!! Linda
Linda:
Did I ever tell you I have at least 1,000 pounds of beans of all shape and sizes. We use a mixture for Chilli. I also have my white and navy beans separate so I can make baked beans and I have about 100 pounds of those.
My husband grew up on Pinto Beans and I grew up on the white and Navy beans. Now I need to find a resource for Anasazi beans as we are short of those in our mix. I used to be able to buy them in bulk at a small store near where we live but the last time I was there they said they didn’t carry them anymore. I will find them because they are a delicious bean and I am not a real fan of many beans by themselves.
About eggs – I don’t consider them such a great way to get protein. 1 large egg (approx 1.8 ounces) = 6.3 – 6.9 grams of protein. A 4 ounce ground beef patty has approx 23 grams of protein. To get 23 grams of protein from eggs, you would have to eat 4 eggs. I know there are differences in other vital nutrients but I doubt I could eat 4 eggs at a meal but I could eat a 4 ounce ground beef patty. One BIG difference, however, is the price so that does fit under the topic of this post.
Hi Leanne, oh I like this thought, thank you! I could eat maybe two eggs, four would be pushing it! Great comment, Linda
Actually if you can find the ground beef at less than 4.00 a pound then you are in the price range with the 4oz patty
Hi Poorman, you nailed it! That’s a good way to compare the price of ground beef! I love it! Linda
Very good article Linda. The only thing I might add is spices and bullion ( chicken and beef ) to flavor my rice and beans in a downside event. Whenever I see a good deal on canned goods I stock up even though I prefer fresh veggies and fruits. You can always open up a can of beans, corn or tuna and eat right of the can. You would be surprised at how often i dig into my supply of canned goods to supplement a meal and not having to run to the market!
Hi FlynnShady, I need to go add beef to the bouillon list. I love fresh fruits and vegetables as well, but hey, if I don’t have any I will grab a can or bag of frozen ones just so I don’t have to turn to the market! Yes, we can eat those right from the can, you are so right! Great comment, Linda
Linda, while I realize Aldi’s isn’t nationwide (yet), they are cheaper than the Dollar Tree for many things on your list. I’m always amazed when I hear of friends (who have one nearby) and have never shopped there. I can make quite a few full meals for under $5 each from Aldi’s. Thats for a family of 4, with a bit of leftovers. Lol, of course I do a lot of casseroles or skillet meals which extends the meat used. I’m doing my big shopping thing this morning, planning to spend right at $375. Most will be spent at Aldi’s, tho whatever I can’t find there, I will next go to Dollar Tree, then Walmart. I used to do a monthly menu and do cost extensions for each meal, which is why I know I can make a balanced meal for under $5. Giggle, I used to do restaurant mgt. I even cost-extended out the difference between buying the #10 cans and getting smaller cans at Aldi’s. The latter was cheaper, and I didn’t have to take the time to divide the rest of the can, freeze. I have a nephew who lives by Minot ND. When his wife comes back, she loads her van with canned foods, rice and instant potatoes from Aldi’s as they don’t have one nearby. For anyone reading this, if you live in the Midwest, you may have one closer than you think as they are expanding. For those who don’t have one, check out smaller places/discount places because they may have deals on ‘their’ brand products. Have a great day, everyone!
Hi Wendy, a great reminder about Aldi’s. We do not have one in Utah, I wonder if one will come here!! Great tips on saving money, thank you, Linda
I sure hope they start moving westward. I first learned of them when they opened a store in the Twin Cities. I stopped in at my friend’s place just as they were bringing in a huge amt of food. I said, omg, you must have spent $400! Nope, about $150. She knew about Aldi’s as she was from Milwaukee. I looked at her receipt and started going there even tho it was 40 miles from me. Then I found a couple in WI where I regularly go on biz…I’d bring my coolers with me, shop big-time, right before I’d drive home. Load up on canned foods. Thank goodness Aldi’s moved into rural MN! Their prices are on average half the price of Walmart. Lol, I still go to other discount places.
Hi Wendy, the only negative comment if it’s negative at all, is Aldi has limited items to choose from. I have never shopped at one. But if they have what you want that works! Linda
One of my favorite poor man meals (and I was raised on it) is cornbread and beans. Even though I make my own cornbread I often use Bush’s Pinto beans with it. Very good and filling.
Hi Ray, oh Bush’s makes the best beans! I love cornbread as well! That’s meal for us as well. Linda
Another poor man meal I love is Ramen noodles (flavor packet tossed) combined with Campbell’s Cream of Chicken soup–and I sometimes add a can of Chicken Noodle soup too.
Right now our local Smith’s grocery is having a case lot sale so I end up getting canned soups and veggies for less than a dollar a can. I got 2 cases of Chicken of the Sea Tuna in water for $32 per case and each case has 48 cans. Jane mostly prefers Albacore (who doesn’t) but I can use such cheap tuna to supplement my German Shepherd’s diet and also to feed the chickens as a treat. It’s good protein especially when they are molting.
Hi Ray, tuna for the dogs or the chickens can be the cheaper tuna. I buy Ramen noodles, I love them. I don’t look at the ingredients because I’m 75 and I have been eating it for years and I’m still alive as of today! LOL! My budget appreciates Ramen noodles, need I say more! LOL! Linda
It is so cheap and easy to make bread in a bread machine. My compact one has paid for itself many times over. Also good for trading for eggs from my neighbor.
Yogurt is the easiest thing in the world to make. No yogurt maker necessary. I have a little cooler that does the job. You can even use a pan and wrap it in towels or other insulation.
Powdered milk. Recipes all over the place online. Really cheap!
Neither bread nor yogurt take much time at all. You set them up and go about your business. I even use the timer on the bread machine so we have fresh, hot bread at whatever time I want! Cut the top off and slather with butter. Heaven!
Hi CAddison, I’m sure your yogurt is healthier than what we buy at the stores! Homemade bread is the best. Mine has paid for itself as well. Life is good when you slice a loaf of warm bread! Nothing better! I can almost smell your bread right now! LOL! Linda