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Eating Healthy Doesn't Have to Be Expensive

Posted by Emily Koh, June 22, 2008 at 10:00 AM

The notion of eating healthy is too often dismissed as too expensive. Sure, buying organic does cost more, and fast food, with its convenience factor and cheap prices, appears more appealing to those on a tight budget. But to eat better doesn't necessarily mean you have to shop exclusively at Whole Foods or farmers' markets; it's perfectly doable to maintain a healthy diet without breaking the bank. ABC News has some tips on how to eat well for less without having to resort to 10¢ ramen.

Get protein from eggs and milk: Not only are eggs and milk the most affordable sources of protein, they also contain the highest quality of protein. Price-wise, they're a lot cheaper than meat (two eggs cost about 40 cents; a glass of milk comes to about 25 cents), and they also provide other nutritional benefits.

Eat seasonally: Fulfill your produce intake by eating what's currently in season. Melons are perfect for summer and provide antioxidants and potassium. Buy apples and oranges by the bulk.

Beans are good for your heart: And not only that, but they're super versatile. Serving double-duty as both a vegetable and a protein, beans are just as good in canned form, and can be used in salads, soups, stir-fries, rice—just about anything.

Eat more of the three C's: Carrots are high in the antioxidant carotene, cabbage is high in iron, calcium and potassium, and collards contain more anti-cancer compounds than any other vegetable. Use up old ones in soups and stir-fries.

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Tags: diets, health