Economical food items
Mezik 
Popcorn provides fiber, magnesium and several disease-fighting antioxidants. Plain popcorn is also relatively low in calories, making it a helpful snack for those wanting to lose weight. The great thing about popcorn is that it's very versatile. You can add toppings such as sea salt and cheese for a savory treat, or cinnamon and sugar for a delicious sweet treat.
It can be expensive to buy pre-popped popcorn in bags or microwaveable pouches, so purchasing kernels helps make this nutritious snack more affordable. You can pop the kernels yourself in the microwave with just a brown bag.
Frozen berries are easy to keep on hand and can be very cost-effective when compared to fresh fruit. A couple of great choices to keep on hand are frozen blueberries and frozen strawberries. Check the bags and buy berries without added sugar.
Blueberries may be small in size, but they are rich in nutrients and are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. Blueberries have been linked to improved cardiovascular health and can contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle.
Strawberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber, as well as folate. They are also rich in antioxidants. A review in Nutrients of studies done with strawberries and blueberries found they helped reduce inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity and helped keep blood pressure in check, among other benefits.
Add frozen berries to your favorite smoothie recipe or make a yogurt parfait with them. Frozen berries can be used to make jams, pies and other desserts. Tuna is a smart choice for those wanting to increase their fish intake while still keeping their groceries affordable. Tuna is a great source of protein, and it also contains some omega-3 fatty acids , which are important for brain health and reducing inflammation.
Tuna also provides a fair amount of the minerals selenium, phosphorus and potassium. Choose canned tuna for salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes. Eggs are a staple item in most homes. They're extremely nutritious and typically cost less than 20 cents per egg. A whole large egg contains 6 grams of protein and delivers some vitamin D as well.
Eggs also contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health and decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration. We often think of eggs for breakfast, but they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Look to eggs to make a savory dinner quiche, vegetable-packed fried rice or egg salad sandwiches.
Now that we've got a list of healthy, budget-friendly foods to keep on hand, let's explore a few more ways to help you save even more money on your grocery bill. Most people don't realize this, but the ingredients in store-brand products are usually similar to brand-name products.
So, instead of paying extra money for well-known brands, look for generic or store-brand products instead. Before you head to the grocery store, take inventory of everything that you have on hand. You may be surprised to find a few extra cans of chickpeas, or some leftover broccoli that may be on the verge of going bad.
To help avoid food waste and save a little money, try to make recipes with these items first. Get creative with what you have. Nonperishable items, such as grains, rice, nuts and beans, are typically cheaper when purchased in bulk or larger containers.
Even though a larger container of rice will be more expensive, look for the unit price when you shop. That will tell you how much you're paying per pound or ounce so you can compare packages and get the best deal. When you bring bulk items home, distribute them into smaller portions to help with storage, then use them as needed.
Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season can help keep the price down. Sometimes, but not always, shopping for local produce at your farmers' market can be more affordable. To help fresh produce last longer, some fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, peaches and onions, can be frozen.
You can try washing and storing them in a freezer bag, and placing them in the freezer until you're ready to use them. When fruits and veggies aren't in season, stock up on nutritious frozen produce. Meal prepping is a great way to save money. Cooking supplies and condiments.
I've got 4 areas for storage goodies in the house. My three freezers are in an unheated outbuilding, so if we lose power during the winter I have a few days to handle the problem. I've got a neat little Champion generator for backup too, but that's a topic for another article.
My kitchen used to have a doorway to what was the dining room in the original farmhouse, and is now my office. I put shelves in the doorway and added a barn-style door for aesthetics. The shelves are sturdy and used mostly for canned goods.
I also have a traditional upright pantry cabinet in the kitchen. Basically any underutilized corner, closet or nook can be adapted for medium-term food storage, Add some shelves or a cheap cabinet or two if you are worried about appearance.
The two storage areas in my kitchen have doors, because that's where my wood-stove lives, and the doors help keep out excess heat in the winter.
I've adapted the two closets in the uninhabited bedrooms in the farmhouse for storage as well. The kiddies have long since grown up and moved out, leaving me a LOT of extra space.
Just as well they are gone, Joshua as a 6-foot-3 teenager could have gone through my 3-month cheap survival food supply in about a week! Of course the cheapest survival food is what you can grow and store for yourself.
Suzie and I learned how to feed ourselves one step at a time. We started with growing a substantial portion of our own food in our garden. We wanted to learn how to grow a lot of calories, and provide robust nutrition, in a sustainable and efficient manner. We put the lessons we learned into Bootstrap Survival Garden.
My ' Bootstrap Survival Garden ' book will show you how to grow, store and save seed for replanting a dozen of the most nutritious calorie-dense vegetables. NOW A FREE DOWNLOAD ONLY FROM NEW TERA FARM. Here's a great resource for to find the ABSOLUTE BOTTOM LINE for the cheapest food supply.
Efficiency is Everything. Got some ideas, questions, suggestions, comments about raising food in a 'have-to' situation?
Got an example of a great survival garden, maybe with pictures? Share it here. What's your take on Survival Gardens?
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Canned protein might not immediately inspire thoughts of health. Avoid: Albacore tuna. Cottage cheese is also an easy grab-and-go food — so if you tolerate dairy, stocking up on this easy-going food is a no-brainer. Do: Pair with savory foods, like tomatoes, if you're watching your sugar intake or you're sensitive to the fructose in fruit.
Cottage cheese also makes a great base for homemade dips, and you can even add it to your pancake batter to spruce up your stack — and increase your healthy protein intake at breakfast.
Considered to be one of the most nutrient-packed foods, oats can easily fill you up with protein, soluble fiber, and even healthy fat. Perhaps best of all, you can make a big batch ahead of time and top them with your favorite in-season fruit, nuts, and more.
Do: Look for oat groats, rolled oats, or steel-cut oats, which contain more nutrients than quick-cooking oats. If cooking a large batch feels overwhelming, consider overnight oats, which can be quickly prepared in a container before bedtime for a grab-and-go breakfast in the morning.
Oats can contain cross-contamination from wheat, rye, or barley. In addition to antioxidants, this magical food is rich in iron, antioxidants, and folate. Beans like lentils, black beans, and navy beans make a great addition to soups, skillets, salads, and even blended in smoothies!
Do: Try dried beans, which are often more affordable than canned. Soak according to the packaging. If you struggle digesting beans, soak them until they begin to sprout. Avoid: Consuming the water that comes with canned beans if you're watching sodium intake.
Speaking of beans, peanut butter is another great way to reach your daily dose of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. Peanut butter especially makes an affordable, convenient, and pantry-friendly food. Peanut butter is rich in vitamins and minerals, satiating, heart-healthy, and a low-carb option for regulating blood sugar.
Do: Enjoy on top of apple or banana slices, oatmeal, celery, and even carrot sticks. A form of fermented milk, plain yogurt contains way more nutritional benefits than calcium, including B vitamins and essential minerals.
High in protein, plain yogurt also contains probiotics, which promote great gut health. Do: Add to smoothies, top with in-season fruit and healthy seeds like chia. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup if it's too tart for your taste.
Potatoes Lentils Popcorn
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