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8 Inexpensive and Unique Foods to Toss in Your Cart on Your Next Shopping Trip

September 5, 2024 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Are you tired of the same-old routine with your groceries? Let’s shake things up without breaking the bank! We’re revealing eight cheap and tasty ways to bring variety to your pantry and fridge!

Chickpeas

Wooden bowl and wooden spoon full of chickpeas on wooden background.
Image Credit: LumenSt/Shutterstock.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are nutritional powerhouses and incredibly versatile! Canned or dried, these legumes are inexpensive and fantastic tossed into soups and salads or even roasted with some spices for a quick and healthy snack. While dried chickpeas are a bit more work, they’re usually cheaper and so much creamier!

Sweet Potato

Cheerful female farmer holding freshly picked carrots and sweet potatoes on her farm. Self-sufficient young woman smiling happily after harvesting fresh.
Image Credit: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.

Sweet potatoes are affordable and positively packed with vitamins. They have a nice balance of sweet and savory, making them flexible enough to add to all kinds of dishes. Some favorites include mashing them up as a side with protein or slicing them into planks to make fries. You can even make sweet potato the star and whip up loaded baked sweet potatoes for dinner.

Quinoa

Woman eating healthy quinoa salad with vegetables from plate, closeup.
Image Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.

The ancient grain quinoa is incredibly accessible, and you can use it in any dish that calls for rice. Not only is quinoa a complete protein, but it’s jam-packed with iron, magnesium, and fiber. You can even try quinoa for breakfast to keep you satisfied all day. It’s a complete protein, making a tremendous base for bowls with roasted vegetables.

Lentils

various kinds of legumes - beans, lentils, chickpeas, mung beans.
Image Credit:Dream79/Shutterstock.

Lentils are a staple in many vegetarian pantries, but they’re versatile and delicious enough for the average meat eater. Certain varieties can cook quickly and are highly nutritious, making them ideal for fast weeknight dinners like lentil soups or curries. They’re convenient, cost-effective, and a must for the price-conscious shopper.

Cabbage

Background witn Big cabbage field. Ripe harvest on a Farm or Greenhouse.
Image Credit: NataliAlba/Shutterstock.

Cabbage is often waved away as a dull and ordinary vegetable. But you can genuinely transform cabbage in ways you wouldn’t even imagine! Try roasting your cabbage or tossing it in a stir fry for a nutty crunch. Or slice it thinly and dress it with vinegar for a quick slaw that’s perfect atop a sandwich.

Frozen Berries

Frozen strawberries in the hands of a customer in a store.
Image Credit:Sergey Ryzhov/Shutterstock.

Fresh berries are often expensive, but frozen berries are much more affordable. More than that, frozen berries are frozen at peak freshness, so you can enjoy plump, ripe, antioxidant-rich berries year-round! Adding them to smoothies is an obvious choice, but stewing them and adding them to oatmeal or even blitzing them into a tangy vinaigrette is equally as delicious!

Nutritional Yeast

nutritional yeast flakes on wooden surface.
Image Credit:Diana Taliun/Shutterstock.

Nutritional yeast is exceedingly high in B vitamins. It has a nutty, almost cheesy flavor that lactose-intolerant and vegans love, so you’ve probably heard of it even if you haven’t tried it yourself. Sprinkle the deactivated yeast on popcorn for the most traditional way to enjoy it, or lean into the veggie-ness of it all and use it to make a dairy-free cheese sauce.

Greek Yogurt

Yogurt with strawberry. Plain white greek yogurt with fresh berries and granola. Healthy food, breakfast. Top view
Image Credit: Sea Wave/Shutterstock.

Yogurt is packed with probiotics, which are phenomenal for gut health. It also boasts loads of calcium and protein, and you can enjoy it in many different ways. Top some Greek yogurt with granola and berries for a healthy and quick breakfast, or use it as a base for creamy dips or dressings.

Experts Warn People to ALWAYS Refrigerate These 12 Non-Food Items

Shocked young woman looking in the empty fridge, she has no food at home, point of view shot from inside the fridge.
Image Credit: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock.

We all know our fridge and freezer are great for food and beverage preservation, but did you know you could use your fridge for other things beyond your kitchen pantry? You can store multiple things in your refrigerator to maintain potency, extend shelf life, or preserve them.

Find out more as we list some of the surprising things you can keep in your refrigerator besides food. 

Experts Warn People to ALWAYS Refrigerate These 12 Non-Food Items

20 Food to Stockpile (For the Best Chance of Survival)

Alarmed female wears medical mask against coronavirus while grocery shopping in supermarket or store.
Image Credit: Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock.

A well-stocked pantry can provide peace of mind and empower you to handle any situation. Whether it’s a natural disaster, economic instability, or simply unexpected guests, having a stash of versatile essential foods can make all the difference.

Here’s a list of 20 of the best foods to stockpile, ensuring you’re ready for whatever comes your way.

20 Food to Stockpile (For the Best Chance of Survival)
 
 

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