Hey All,

In light of my previous submission by my friend Helen, I’ve been receiving lots of articles from writers wanting to share their tips on cooking, staying healthy, and eating in general. It’s been awesome and super fun to read things by others, and I want to support my fellow writers (and in this case, women as well).  Here’s a reader–submitted post by Sarah–Jane Paul on some superfoods that can help you get ready for summer (if it ever comes.) Enjoy!

-L

4 Super Cheap Superfoods To Help You Lose Weight

A gym membership, exercise equipment, a diet program, and healthy foods – these are the items that make up a diet starter pack. However, each of these essential elements can end up costing you a fortune and make losing weight seem impossible. Fortunately, you do have other options when it comes to mealtime. With a little discipline and some wise choices at the grocery store, you can eat in and enjoy delicious, healthy and affordable foods. Check out these super cheap healthy foods to help you lose weight without your wallet shedding a few pounds in the process.

Brown Rice – $.07 per serving

A 12-year study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that women who ate more whole grains generally weighed less than women that did not. Brown rice is a cheap whole grain that can help you shed any unwanted weight. A half a cup of brown rice contains 1.7 grams of resistant starch, which increases metabolism and ultimately speeds up the process of burning fat. However, you should stick to half-a-cup per meal as brown rice isn’t necessarily low in calories.

Oatmeal – $.08 per serving

Oatmeal is one of those superfoods that has everything you need to stay fit and healthy. It is high in fiber, promotes heart health, and is extremely filling. Therefore, you should start your day off with a hearty bowl of oatmeal so that you’re staying full for hours. Be sure to avoid any instant oatmeal with added sugar, and instead use stevia, honey, or cinnamon to sweeten your breakfast the healthy way.

Beans – $.17 per serving

From garbanzo beans to black beans, these foods are cheap, low in calories, and high in protein. They can be cooked with multiple different spices and herbs to add some flavor and provide you variety in your diet for weeks. According to the American College of Nutrition, people that eat beans have 23 percent lower risk of gaining weight and a 22 percent reduced risk of becoming obese. You can cook beans into your rice or into a salad for a meal designed to help you lose weight on a budget.

Sweet Potatoes – $.50 per serving

Many diet programs tell you to stay away from potatoes, but if you do it right, you can enjoy one of your favorite foods and lose weight in the process. Sweet potatoes are high in nutrients, making your stomach fuller longer. At only 50 cents per potato, these vegetables are great for any budget diet. Be sure not to overload on the butter and sugar, and instead cook your sweet potatoes with coconut oil or cinnamon for a healthy alternative.

Losing weight doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Instead, you can scan the grocery store for these cheap superfoods so that you can shed a few pounds without breaking the bank.