Affordable, Healthy Foods to Keep in Your Kitchen at All Times

By Kelly Morgan, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Chair, Fundraising and Marketing Committee

Healthy food often gets the reputation of being expensive and out of reach. When you waltz into Whole Foods and see cash registers flashing $300 totals, and they're walking away with only two brown bags of groceries, it can feel like it's an impossibility to feed your whole family healthy foods reasonably. 

So, how do you eat healthfully without a second mortgage for a grocery budget? You might be surprised to know that there are many affordable, healthy food options out there that are ideal for stocking your kitchen at all times to help you make healthy meals at home. 

While prices will fluctuate depending on where you live, you’ll find these items for around $2, give or take, so there are no more excuses for not keeping healthy foods in your home. 

Brown Rice 

A versatile and healthy side, brown rice gives you those necessary whole grains you need. Replace white rice and processed carbs with it to round out your meals. You can even buy it on the bulk aisle and store it in an air-tight container to get more bang for your buck. 

Frozen Vegetables 

Frozen vegetables lock in the nutrients and are frozen at the peak of freshness, which means they can be as nutritious as fresh ones. These are great for throwing together a quick side, making stews or soups, or even casseroles. They often go on sale, too, so stock up during that next sale. 

Old-Fashioned Oats 

Buy the store brand and save a ton on this healthy and filling breakfast staple. Take what you saved and splurge on fresh berries to top your oatmeal breakfast with. 

Fresh Bagged Leafy Greens 

With all the outbreaks of E. coli surrounding Romaine lettuce, choosing bagged up leafy greens like spinach or kale is a better solution. Plus, they’re inexpensive and very healthy. You can make them into salads, blend them into smoothies, cook them with eggs, and so much more. 

Fruit that Lasts 

Some fruits last longer than others and are quite inexpensive to boot. While a small container of fresh, organic blueberries could run you $8 and last you a day or two, a 5lb bag of navel oranges can cost you $5 and last all week. Apples, oranges, pears, pineapple, and melons are all great options for these inexpensive, long-lasting fruits to keep around your kitchen. 

If you keep these things around, when life throws you a curveball, you’ll still be able to eat nutritiously and deliciously!