Budget Fruits To Help Your Diet and Your Bank Account

September 27, 2023

Eating on a budget can be challenging, and it's tough when trying to eat healthy. Unfortunately, some of the cheapest foods can also be the least nutritious. However, with proper planning, it is possible to eat healthy on just about any budget.

Interested In a Free Meal Plan?

Try Our Meal Plan Generator

Don't know your macros? Calculate Macros

Diet Type

Calories

Protein

Fat

Carbohydrates

Low Budget Fruits

Thankfully, there are some low budget fruits that can help with both your nutrition and budget. Give these a try when you want to tighten your budget but want to eat as healthy as possible. Here are some of the cheapest fruits.

Apples

A staple of most households, apples are a great midafternoon snack and can be eaten as apple slices or diced and put in a fruit salad. Of course, you can eat them whole too. Apples, on average, cost about $1.50 per pound, making them an incredibly affordable option.
There are many different types of apples, and you will find a variety at your local grocery store. Some of the most common ones include:

Jonagold. As the name suggests, it's a hybrid between a Jonathan and Golden delicious, and it is typically red with some hints of yellow. This apple has a thin, smooth skin and perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors.
Golden delicious. This yellow apple is a delicious staple of the average grocery store. These are best in sauces, pies, and freezing, as the skin is delicate and can bruise easily, meaning these apples won't typically last too long.
Fuji apple. These apples are delicious raw, thanks to their sweet and robust flavor. These apples tend to be a bit larger and are best eaten raw or added to a recipe that does not require cooking, as it keeps its consistency best when it is uncooked.
Red delicious. This classic red apple is the most popular and commonly recognized apple. They make a great addition to a lunchbox and are best eaten raw. They tend to have a grainy texture when cooked, but they are a great option to slice up and enjoy with a dip.

Bananas

Bananas are among the most affordable fruits and can be enjoyed in various ways. You can slice them up to add to your smoothie, eat them raw, or bake overripe bananas into banana bread. Did you know bananas freeze well? They can be frozen for up to three months, making them an excellent option for the long term when you are trying to stock up. Frozen bananas are delicious, eaten plain, and can be a refreshing snack. At just $0.63/pound, your money goes a long way when purchasing bananas.

Cantaloupe

A popular summer fruit, cantaloupe is a melon with a deliciously sweet and juicy taste. Its beautiful orange coloring makes it a vibrant choice to add to a fruit salad or onto a fruit tray, either on its own or with a delicious cream cheese-based dip. One cantaloupe can feed a large group of people, and at about $3.50 per cantaloupe is an economical choice. Slice up a cantaloupe and bring it to your next BBQ for a fruit everyone loves.

Watermelon

Like cantaloupe, watermelon is a fruit prevalent in the summer. A lot of that is because of its high water content. Kids love it, and it is often remembered fondly as a childhood snack during the summer. Watermelon is great for keeping you hydrated, and its sweet, fleshy, and juicy taste makes it a delicious side to a meal or a delightful snack. One watermelon goes a long way, with the average watermelon costing about $5 each.

Pears

One great thing about pears is that they have a long shelf life. While some fruits must be refrigerated and eaten quickly, pears can stay on your countertop and last for a few days or hang out in your fridge for over a week. Pears are similar to apples, with a slightly more distinct and gritty taste. Pears taste delicious on a salad or sliced up and eaten the same way you would an apple. At less than a dollar a pound, these can be a great addition to lunch box meals or a midmorning snack to curb those sugar cravings.

These are just a few of the different affordable fruit options out there. When looking for the cheapest fruits, remember them and check out your local grocery store to see if they are a good option for you. Feel free to experiment and try new things with different fruits, as this will help you figure out what recipes you like and which aren't your favorite. Prioritize your nutrition and give your body the fuel it needs to thrive. Contact us for more information on meal planning and eating healthy.