Let’s face it. Most of us would love to eat healthy as often as possible. We feel better. We look better. And we do better for the environment. But in addition to giving in to temptation every now and again, there’s another roadblock we have to overcome in order to eat as healthy as possible as often as possible: budget.

When you look at wellness ingredients, it can start to feel overwhelming. While tons of them are super delicious and incredibly good for you, they also come with a hefty price tag. But just because those ingredients exist doesn’t mean that you can’t actually save money by eating in a way that’s good for your body.

In fact, quite the opposite is true. Stocking up on inexpensive, nutrient-dense ingredients can actually save you money in the long run. You’ll be fuller, more satisfied and healthier. What more could you ask for?

Ready to get shopping? Here’s what you need to put in your grocery cart every time you go to the supermarket.

Legumes

Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart. The old schooldays rhyme is true (though let’s ignore the second part), plus there are actually tons of other benefits to the humble bean. Frugal shoppers will do well to grab lentils, black beans, chickpeas, gigante beans and any other types that strike their fancy. They are rich in plant-based protein, many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as well as chock full of fibre. Our Mexican Burrito Salad and our Cauliflower, Lima Bean, Paprika & Red Quinoa Soup are great places to fill up on beans as well.

Nut butters

Is there anything better than butter? Nut butter, that is. Whether you’re into almond butter, cashew butter or even sunflower seed butters, any nut or seed butter is a great and convenient way to fill up on protein, healthy fat, fibre and many vitamins and minerals. They’re also great sources of phytonutrients. Eating nut butters has also been shown to increase the feeling of fullness and reduce cravings, so it really can’t be beat. Grab The Almond Butter Cup or the Gone Nuts Asian Kelp Noodle Salad to get buttered up.

Chia seeds and avocado

Thankfully, we no longer fear fat these days, as good fats are essential for a healthy diet. Luckily, it also happens to be delicious. Seeds like chia seeds, as well as avocados, are both nutrient-dense and inexpensive. They offer tons of fibre and minerals, linoleic acid and other properties that have anti-inflammatory effects and benefits for heart health. The fat in avocados actually serves as a ‘nutrient-booster’ that will help your body absorb nutrients like vitamins A, D, E and K that are all fat-soluble. Pick up a Strawberry Lemon Chia Seed Pudding or The Mexican Burrito Salad to get your fill.

Leafy greens

Though most people would send you in the direction of dairy if you’re after calcium, we have a better suggestion: leafy greens. Spinach, collard greens and kale are all excellent sources of calcium. They also naturally offer a whole host of other benefits, so they really can’t be beat in terms of price and nutritional punch they pack. Dig into our Kabocha, Butternut Squash & Quinoa Curry or sip on The Fix to boost your levels.