Ten Foods that Cost Under $1 Per Serving

Nearly everyone I know is trying to reduce food bills while still serving healthy meals. There's no doubt this is getting harder to accomplish, but there are still quite a few foods that offer nutrition and great taste while costing under $1 per serving.

As a food blogger that blogs about eating on the cheap, I spend a lot of time checking food prices, locating grocery deals, and researching affordable, yet healthy foods that even finicky eaters will like.

The past 2 years I've gathered input from viewers regarding their favorite foods and how the economy has impacted them. Sadly, many people are skipping meals and filling up on junk food. No one should have to sacrifice food quality because of what feels like a never-ending recession.

With a little planning and the right food choices, you can enjoy satisfying and nutritious foods for less than a buck. To maximize savings, check food manufacturer websites for money saving coupons, along with tasty recipes.

I've narrowed down the top ten foods for under $1 based on blog readership input. The following foods were rated on flavor, adaptability, and family-friendliness. A little over 50 survey participants found these foods to offer the most value because their entire family liked it; it could be used in many ways; and it was available year round.

Ten Affordable, Tasty, Nutritious and Versatile Foods

1. Brown rice is a very versatile food that is low-fat, low-calorie, and rich in fiber. A one pound bag sells for around $2.99 and provides 10 servings at a mere 29 cents each. Brown rice can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, stir fry, or as an appetizer, side dish, or entrée. It can be served with meat or vegetables, stuffed into peppers or burritos, or served with eggs for breakfast.

2. Baby carrots were one of the most popular choices for families with kids. While they make a perfect portable snack, these orange beauties provide a powerful nutritional punch of health benefits. Carrots can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, broiled, grilled, baked or pureed. They are a favorite addition to salads and make an awesome carrot cake! An 8 ounce bag costs about $1.99 and serves 4 at a cost of 49 cents each.

3. Oats are the perfect food for gaining long-lasting energy and meeting daily fiber needs. Most people consume oats as a steaming bowl of oatmeal, but this nutritious grain can be baked into homemade bread, made into granola, sprinkled on cobblers and casseroles, or transformed into tasty cookies. A 24-ounce can of oats costs about $3.50 and provides 17 servings at 20 cents each.

4. Green beans are another family favorite and ranked at the top of favorite veggies for kids and husbands. While fresh green beans were favored, they are seasonal, so the next best choice was frozen. Green beans are a perfect stand-alone side dish, but can also be added to casseroles, soups, and stews. A 12 ounce bag of frozen green beans sells for about $2.49 and provides 4 servings at 62 cents each.

5. Eggs live up to their slogan of the "Incredible Edible Egg" and is perhaps the world's most diversified food. People eat eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are used for baking and candy making, served in soups and salads, and eaten as a snack. Eggs are a good source of protein and choline; a natural inflammatory. Eggs cost about 15 cents each and offer great value and versatility.

6. Potatoes are a must-have in our house and consumed at least 3 to 4 times each week. Potatoes are a form of comfort food for many people and often evoke memories of holiday dinners with heaping bowls of mashed potatoes and gravy. I love cooking with potatoes because they can be prepared in so many ways. Prices range between $3 and $5 for a 5 pound bag, which provides 10 servings at a cost of 30 to 50 cents each.

7. Apples are nearly as versatile as potatoes. They are great tasting in their natural state and provide a healthy snack. There are dozens of varieties that range in flavor from tart to sweet and sour to tangy. Apples can be eaten raw, sautéed in butter, grilled, broiled, baked, steamed, and dried. They can be added to salads, served with cheeses or peanut butter, and slathered in caramel coating and nuts. One large apple weighs about ½ pound. With the average price at $1.99 per pound, one apple costs right at $1.

8. Grapes aren't as versatile as other foods on the top 10 list, but they were a favorite amongst 70 percent of survey participants. There is no doubt, people love popping grapes into their mouth; especially when they are driving. This mess-free fruit stands on its own, but is also a flavorful addition to chicken salad or served with crackers, cheese, and wine. The average price for one pound of grapes is $3.99 and provides about 8 'handful' servings at the cost of 50 cents.

9. Bananas are a low-cal food that provides approximately 20 percent of daily value of vitamin C and 14 percent potassium. This fruit is a preferred choice amongst seniors because it's soft and easy on the stomach. Besides eating bananas raw, one of the most favored uses was adding it to fruit smoothies. On average, one large banana costs about 50 cents.

10. Plain yogurt rounds out the list of ten foods that cost less than $1 per serving. Yogurt can be used in place of mayonnaise; added to smoothies; used to make homemade dressings or party dips; and frozen into tasty treats. A 6 ounce container of plain yogurt hovers around 60 cents. I frequently find yogurt sales of 10 containers for $5 and almost always have manufacturer coupons, so a lot of times I get yogurt for 30 cents a serving.

Sources:

IncredibleEgg.org

World's Healthiest Foods

More from this Contributor:

Cooking with Apples 101

Cooking with Fall Fruits and Vegetables

History of American Classic Foods