Healthy Life Plans

I probably don’t have to tell you that economies all around the world are suffering right now, especially the United States economy. People are losing their jobs and in return, not spending money (if you even have money). It’s important to spend your money wisely during these uncertain times, but you don’t have to sacrifice a healthy life just because times are tough.If you look around your local supermarket, you’ll probably notice food prices are on the rise. But most of the higher-priced foods aren’t very healthy. Here is a list of very healthy foods that you can purchase for less than one dollar, so you can eat well and save some money in the process.

Eggs
We all know that eggs are a great source of protein, but they’re also one of the cheapest sources. You can easily find 6 to 12 eggs for less than a dollar. Eggs are also high in antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which have been shown to fix many eye-related health problems.

Bananas
It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of summer, or Christmas season, bananas are always available and usually pretty cheap. I picked up 6 bananas at Safeway yesterday for 60 cents. Bananas are packed with fiber, potassium and Vitamin B making them a very healthy snack, or even a good breakfast.

Oats
Oats are one of the cheapest, healthiest foods you can eat. They are high in fiber and carbohydrates to give you a nice energy boost in the morning. And for a dollar, you can make breakfast for a week. Mix your oats with a banana and and enjoy.

Beans
Everybody needs protein, and there’s no better way to get it than beans. It doesn’t matter what kind - black, pinto, lentil - they all have enormous amounts of protein, fiber calcium and zinc. Oh, they’re all very low in fat too. It’s cheaper to buy dry beans and cook them yourself, but you can still buy canned beans for under a dollar.

Potatoes
Lots of people don’t think potatoes are very healthy, because we usually eat them in unhealthy forms like french fries or potato chips. But a single potato delivers half a day’s worth of Vitamin C, and they’re full of potassium. Potatoes are dirt cheap, and you can add them ti almost any meal very easily.

Brown Rice
Brown rice is just as cheap as white rice, but it still has whole grains in it making it a lot better for you than white rice. Just like wheat bread is better for you than white bread. I told you why essential minerals like magnesium are important, and brown rice is loaded with minerals like magnesium and zinc making it very heart-healthy.

Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It’s an old saying, but still holds true to this day. Apples are one of the most abundant, popular, and cheapest fruits in America. Apples have a fiber known as pectin which will lower your cholesterol levels, and they have plenty of Vitamin C. You can eat them whole, or make your own applesauce which is a lot cheaper than buying pre-made applesauce.

Carrots
Those little baby carrots that everybody loves cost more than a dollar, but who needs baby carrots anyway? You can get way more product for less than a dollar if you buy regular carrots. You can chop them up and add them to your salad or sandwich, or throw them in a juicer and get a nice blast of carrot juice. I personally like to mix carrots with apples in my juicer, great taste and even better for your health.

Nuts
Probably the most underrated good-for-you food there is. Even though nuts are high in fat, it’s the kind of fat that’s good for you (unsaturated). Because nuts are so packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins and protein, a handful will give you a huge nutrition boost. Almonds are the best kind of nuts for your health, and a big package usually costs less than a dollar.

Tuna
Fish is usually pretty expensive, but very good for you. Fish should be part of your diet, but since we’re talking about cheap food here, tuna is a great choice. When tuna goes on sale, stock up because you can get a few cans for about a dollar. Because fish is so good for your heart and brain, you should aim for at least 2 fishy meals per week.

Broccoli
I never liked broccoli as a kid, I guess it’s kind of an acquired taste. But it’s so cheap and so good for you, most people can learn to love it. Not only does broccoli contain Vitamins A and C, it’s packed with phytonutrients which can prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Add a few pieces of broccoli to any meal and start reaping the benefits today.

Watermelon
It might be hard to find a whole watermelon for less than one dollar, but it will equal out to about a dime per serving which is a lot less than pre-cut watermelon pieces. Watermelon also has lycopene in it, which can actually help prevent cancer. It’s so tasty and so good for you, it’s nice to always keep watermelon in your kitchen.

Sardines
Not always the most appetizing fish in the sea, but they come with some benefits other fish don’t. First, they’re cheap! A can of sardines costs about a dollar. They have plenty of iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium. And they’re almost always mercury-free. Mercury is bad for your health, and a major problem for people who love fish. So try some sardines next time you want fish.

Yogurt
Although I’m skeptical about dairy products affect on human health, yogurt is still a very cheap and healthy snack. It’s one of the easiest ways to get calcium, plus it has Vitamins A and D. Vitamin D is very important in any diet, and dairy products usually have a lot of it.

It’s important to remember that you’ll still find other “food” for about a dollar, but Cheetos and candy bars are very unhealthy. If you’re trying to save money on food, it’s important to eat the good stuff. That way you won’t waste all the money you saved on a trip to the hospital from eating food that hurts your body, instead of healing it.