Most people are probably aware of superfoods nowadays, although they may not realize how easy it is to add superfoods that cost less than $1 to their diets. Superfoods are not all expensive and obscure; in fact, many of them may be things you eat already – but if you know how great they are, you can try to eat more! Here are 9 yummy superfoods that cost less than $1.
1 Cabbage
One of the best superfoods that cost less than $1 is the humble cabbage. As well as being packed full of vitamins C and K, fiber and antioxidants, cruciferous vegetables like cabbage are linked to lower cancer rates. Cabbage is also very low in calories and you can get 3-4 portions for your $1.
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2 Oranges
Just one orange can provide you with all the vitamin C you need for a whole day, as well as plenty of fiber, water and beta-carotene to keep your eyes healthy. They’re also tasty and low in calories. Do be aware that while orange juice will provide you with the vitamin C you won’t get the fiber, so eat an orange instead if you can.
3 Tea
It may not technically be a food, but tea (both black and green) is full of antioxidants, and can cut your risk of a heart attack in half. Green tea is even better for you, but as long as you don’t fill it with sugar and only use low-fat milk, black tea is a superfood too.
4 Lentils
Lentils are incredibly low-cost, versatile and easy to cook, but the high levels of fiber and protein also make them great for your heart. They’re also one of the cheapest superfoods going.
5 Peanut Butter
You may not expect to see peanut butter on a list of superfoods, although you probably know that nuts (in reasonable quantities) are very good for you. If you buy natural peanut butter (made with just peanuts and very little or no salt), you get the health benefits of pricier nut products for a much lower price.
6 Tuna
Salmon gets all of the attention, but tuna is also a great source of omega-3 oils and is a great deal cheaper (as well as more convenient and easier to store!).
7 Apples
Apples don’t get very much attention because they don’t have a huge dose of one specific vitamin or mineral, but smaller amounts of many different things. However, they do contain a fair amount of vitamin C and research shows that apples help to keep your heart healthy.
8 Almonds
Many Americans are deficient in vitamin E, but a serving of 23 nuts will provide well more than a third of your daily allowance. They’re also a good source of calcium, fiber, folate and flavonoids. They’re great because you can snack on them and add them to both savoury and sweet dishes!
9 Oats
Oats are a great fix of fiber and will help to lower the bad cholesterol in your body. It’s also worth knowing that quick-cooking oats are just as good as the normal variety, but avoid instant oatmeal packets that are full of added sugars.
With so many superfoods for under $1, there’s no excuse not to try and add a few more to your diet. What are your favorite superfoods and do you have any tips or recipe ideas to help others eat more of them?
