Eating healthy is expensive, right?  Wrong!  Here are a few nutrient-packed foods that that won’t break your bank!

1. Oats
In a hearty muffin or bowl topped with cinnamon and banana, oats are high in fiber and can help to lower cholesterol. Costing about 19 cents per serving ($2.29 for an 18-ounce container), add this essential to your shopping list.

2. Free-range organic eggs
The deliciously versatile egg. Make an omelet for breakfast or a veggie quiche for lunch. Eggs are an excellent and inexpensive source of protein and antioxidants. You can get a half dozen free-range organic eggs for about $2.

3. Organic sweet potatoes
We often eat potatoes in their unhealthiest form (french fries and potato chips), but they’re actually very nutritious! Eaten with the skin on, they’re a great source of Vitamin C, fiber, potassium and carotenoids (which protect your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals). You can buy them for about 23 cents a piece — more than enough for one serving.

4. Organic spinach
Spinach is loaded with Vitamin C, iron and other minerals. It’s great in salads or sautéed in an omelet. A bag of organic spinach usually costs about $1.99 if bought in bulk from your local health food store or farmers market.

5. Whole-grain or brown rice pasta
This dinner-time staple is packed with complex carbohydrates, protein and B vitamins. And it only costs about 28 cents per serving. ($1.79-$1.99 for a bag or box). Enjoy your favorite pasta variety (rotini is a personal fav) with a lycopene-packed tomato sauce.

6.  Beans
Great as a side dish or in a southwest (yum!) salad, beans are a rich source of fiber and protein, can help regulate colon function and lower cholesterol levels.  Buy them in bulk for 34 cents a serving or a can of organic black beans for $1.99.

7.  Lentils
Don’t underestimate this little gem.  For only 10 cents a serving, you can add these folic acid (vitamin B9) and calcium powerhouses to soups, stews and salads.

What is your favorite health food on the cheap?  Green grapes? Organic apples?  Give KLUTCH the scoop!

Peace and saved pennies,
Alexandra LeFevere on behalf of the KLUTCH team