- Rolled oats will cost you just 20 cents per 1/2 cup portion.
Our original top 10 list was so popular, Healthy Eats readers asked for more. Here are 10 more healthy foods that won’t break the bank.
#1: Carrots
Cost: $0.89 per 1 pound bag (about 9 carrots)
Even my kids tout the benefits of carrots, “They give you healthy eyes, mom” they always tell me. But beta-carotene has more benefits than meets the eyes. It also helps promote healthy bones, skin and hair. Make carrot soup, add to a stir-fry, or slice into strips for an easy kids snack.
#2: Low fat cottage cheese
Cost: $2.75 per 16-ounce container
This perfect combo of protein, carbs and fat will help keep you satisfied. It’ll also give you a boost of calcium with 10% of your daily recommended dosage in every ½ cup serving. If you’ve been passing this underappreciated food in your dairy aisle, check out more reasons why we love it.
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- Tomatoes. We love 'em. (Who doesn't?)
For all you die-hard tomato fans, these babies are now in season! We’ve dedicated this week to celebrating these red gems. Pick some up during your next visit to the farmers’ market and whip up some tomato-licious recipes.
Tomato Facts
Tomatoes were introduced to Italy in the early 16th century but many folks feared they were poisonous since they belonged to the nightshade family (peppers, potatoes and eggplant also belong to this family). The French, however, felt differently about tomatoes and called them “pomme d’amour” (a.k.a. love apples). Colonists who settled in Virginia brought tomatoes with them, but they didn’t become popular until the 19th century.
Tomatoes are technically a fruit since they grow on vines. They come in various shapes, sizes and colors, too. Don’t be fooled into thinking they should all be round —check out some of the crazy tomato finds out there. Read more »
- A snack of baked tortilla chips and 1/4 cup of salsa has just 180 calories.
Having a snack attack? Forgo the last minute trip to the vending machine and be prepared when hunger strikes with these snacks with fewer than 200 calories each.
#1: Basic Edamame
Munch on baby soy beans packed with protein and hunger-fighting fiber.
Calories: 150
#2: Apple and Peanut Butter
Top a sliced apple with natural peanut butter for a smooth and crunchy combination. This snack is packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fat and the antioxidant vitamins E and C. Check out how your favorite brand did in our taste test.
Calories: 190
#3: Rainbow Fruit Skewers With Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
This snack consists of 2 fruit skewers plus 3 chocolate-dipped strawberries. What better way to get a healthy dose of antioxidants plus your chocolate fix!
Calories: 184
#4: Chips and Spicy Salsa
An ounce of baked tortilla chips (about 15) dipped in ¼ cup salsa will give you a boost of vitamin C and lycopene.
Calories: 180
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- Food Network Magazine's Smoky Okra on skewers.
Not sure how to prepare okra in a healthy way? Fried okra is a classic, but this green-hued veggie can also be prepared with few calories and fat added. Here are 5 mouthwatering recipes to get you started.
Pickled
Pickling is an easy way to preserve the summer goodness of produce. Prepare the pickling mixture and just sit back and relax—that’s all there is to it.
RECIPE: Pickled Okra
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- Emeril Lagasse's Shrimp en Papillote: A healthy meal in a packet.
If you’ve never tried cooking in foil or paper, trust me . . . it’s easy! En papillote is considered a healthy cooking method as it uses heat (not fat) to cook food, keeping calories in check. Here are simple steps to get you started:
En Papillote Basics
En papillote is French for “in parchment,” so the food is baked inside parchment paper or foil. The main food and accompanying ingredients (like herbs, vegetables, or sauce) are placed inside packets and either baked in the oven, cooked in microwave, or even grilled. As the food bakes, steam is created which cooks the food. As the steam is released, it also causes the parchment paper to puff up into a dome shape. To serve the meal, all you need to do is slit open at the table to reveal the goodies inside.
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