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The Cheapest and Most Nutritious Foods

Grocery stores and food markets that specialize in healthy foods often sell nutritious foods at expensive prices. However, there are many inexpensive nutritious foods available that you can use to make delicious and affordable meals. Whole-grain pastas, frozen vegetables, canned fruits, ground beef meals and low-fat dairy products are some of the cheapest and most nutritious foods available.

  1. Whole-Grain Pasta

    • Whole-grain pasta is an inexpensive and nutritious dinner solution. Including more whole-grain foods in your diet can help decrease your chances of developing bowel disorders, colon cancer and other major diseases, according to Kansas State University. Top a serving of cooked whole-grain pasta with a tomato sauce and store-brand shredded cheese for a cheap and nutritious entree. Whole-grain pastas can be more satisfying than regular pastas, so you can serve smaller portions.

    Frozen Vegetables and Canned Fruits

    • Frozen vegetables and canned fruits can be prepared with almost any main course to create a low-cost and healthy meal. According to Harvard's School of Public Health, people should eat at least 4 1/2 cups of vegetables and fruits per day. Purchase vegetables frozen and cook them with vegetable olive oil or vegetable oil for a low-fat, healthy side dish. Canned fruits are less expensive than fresh fruits and may be served alone as a side dish or used to compliment a healthy salad as a main course.

    Ground Beef Meals

    • Ground beef can be cooked and prepared with a wide-variety of ready-made mixes to create meals that are affordable and healthy. According to Iowa State University, you can save money using a simple method to reduce the amount of fat in your ground beef while it is cooking instead of purchasing expensive low-fat or lean ground beef. Cook the ground beef in a frying pan until it is brown, chopping the beef into small pieces as it cooks. Pour the browned beef into a colander to drain the grease, then pour 4 cups of hot water over the beef to remove the excess fat. Return the beef to the frying pan to add the ingredients required for your recipe. Use 1 lb. of ground beef to make tacos, chili, beef rice or healthy beef nachos to feed four dinner guests.

    Dairy Products

    • Dairy products such as milk, cheese and eggs are staple items to a healthy diet. Dairy products often contain high levels of saturated fats and, according to Harvard's School of Public Health, high saturated fat intake is a risk factor for heart disease. Many grocery stores now offer their own store-brand low-fat and non-fat dairy products for the same price as name-brand dairy products, making dairy products nutritious and affordable.

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