AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Ramen noodles are dirt cheap; so is mac 'n' cheese. They're also low in nutrients, and even the "natural" versions are too processed for regular inclusion in a healthful diet. But organic eats are pricey, and few folks have a lot of extra cash these days.
In lean times, is it possible to eat a nutritious, organic diet? After scouring the shelves of grocery stores, we say yes! Organic foods are affordable on nearly every budget. Start with these 15 great buys--nearly everything you need for a healthful diet.
1. Eggs. With a biological value of 100--the measure of how well a protein is used by the body--eggs are a nutritious, versatile protein source. At the higher price of $3.49 to $4.69 a dozen, you're still paying only 29 to 39 cents per egg. Cheap.
2. Cabbage. You'll find it somewhere in the range of $1 to $2 per pound--a screaming deal, especially when you consider the nutrition. Cabbage contains compounds that slow the growth of cancer cells and keep precancerous cells from developing; it may also help the body metabolize toxic forms of estrogen into safe forms. It's a bargain at any price.
3. Sweet potatoes. At only $1.99 to $2.49 per pound, they're a great buy. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and beta-carotene" a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease, cancer, and age-related blindness. Carrots are even cheaper, at 79 to 99 cents a pound, and equally high in beta-carotene.
4. Beans. As a cheap and nutritious source of protein, you can't beat beans. They're extremely high in fiber and in lignans, a type of phytoestrogen that protects against breast cancer in postmenopausal women and reduces the risk of other cancers as well. In the bulk section, they average $1.39 to $1.99 per pound. And at 99 cents a pound, dried peas are the best deal in town.