Hi! In this kick-off post to my blog dedicated to healthy living on a tight budget and a cramped schedule, I’m going to cover 3 cheap, healthy, and convenient foods that you should always have on hand.
Oats
Whether you like them rolled, steel-cut, or instant, oats are incredibly cost-effective and good for you.
As far as price goes, oats are about as cheap as it gets. In most stores, oats will range from $1 to $1.50 a pound. I get mine from Costco at a little less than $1 a pound.
Oats are packed with nutrients, the most prominent being manganese, a nutrient necessary to process cholesterol, carbohydrates, and protein. Oats also have high levels of antioxidants and healthy wonder-fiber called beta-glucan, which helps with weight loss, controlling blood sugar, and reducing cholesterol levels.
Frozen produce
While little compares to the taste of fresh veggies and fruit, it’s always good to have their frozen counterparts around. They’re a lifesaver when you don’t have the money to buy fresh or the time to prepare ingredients.
Two pounds of frozen veggies go for $2.22 at Walmart, while 2 pounds of frozen berries are $8.47 from the same. Again, I go to Costco for big bags that are both under $10 each.
As for nutritional value, some studies indicate that frozen produce may even surpass fresh since fresh fruits and veggies begin losing nutrients immediately after they’re harvested, whereas freezing stops that process.
Peanut butter
Our last low-price, high-nutrition friend is peanut butter. Whether you want to thicken up a smoothie, slather it on fruit, or make a Thai sauce, this mashed legume’s got you covered (if you’re not allergic, that is).
A whopping FORTY ounces of peanut butter is only $4.37 from Wal-Mart. I, however, get mine from Costco (are you seeing a pattern here?), which prices it at $11.99 for 56 ounces.
Peanut butter is a great plant-based protein source, low-carb, and high in healthy fats. It should be consumed in moderation, however, since it is potentially carcinogenic.
Do you have any foods that are easy on your wallet and good for your body? If so, please share in the comments below. Thanks and see you next time!
Frugal Fitness 
Hey Roy,
Great blog entry. Your style and formatting is very easy to read, and you do a great job at organizing your information into a nice cohesive text that flows naturally.
I also give you kudos for all your links being on point. It’s easy to mix up information with all the links you used, but every price you quoted was accurate and every link went to the correct destination. That attention to detail is great to see. And peanut butter causes cancer??? Great info again!
If I had to give any advice, I’d say just an extra proofing turn might’ve helped. Nothing major, but the part about the Costco oats is a bit confused. You wrote the Costco oats are $10 a pound, but they are $10 for 10 lbs right?
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D’oh! You’re right, that should’ve been “less than $1 a pound.” Thanks for the feedback!
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