What are some healthful / healthy items you recommend to buy at the 99 cent / dollar stores?

[Prof_Don]

I will be honest; I am no stranger to 99cent and dollar stores.

It can be tricky to buy food there when watching what you eat, cause let's be frank; there's a REASON why the food is cheap in there (preservatives, hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup in everything, etc).

When it comes to buying food items there, what do you personally recommend?

Let's get a good convo going here! 8-)

Thanks for your input.

[Darkfairie17]

There are some great finds at the dollar stores I have seen, or in the grocery stores for less than a buck, here are some of my favourites:

Canned beans: kidney beans, chick peas, navy beans, any type of bean. They are healthy, they fill you up and they are a great way to add more nutrients to any meal without spending a lot of money.

Tuna: I've seen smaller cans of tuna or even salmon at the dollar stores before. It was name brand too. Tuna or salmon are really great sources of lean protein that are healthy!

Spices: But be careful with theses! Some can just be full of salt, so read the label. I have found parsley, basil, oregano, pepper, salt, paprika, you name it, all at the dollar store. What is nice is that spices in the grocery store can be so much more expensive, so you are saving a ton of money. Plus spices are a great way to add flavour to food without adding a lot of fat or calories in most cases.

Soups: these can also be full of salt, but once in a while is okay. I like to buy a couple cans when I know that I will need emergency food. Food that I have on hand in case I am short grocery money for whatever reason so I have something to eat.

Canned fruit: Again, this is iffy. Sometimes they are full of sugar. But if you are having it on occasion, it's okay. I often get a couple cans for desert, or for having as a reserve for my emergency food stock.

Condiments: I love ketchup, but I don't have it that often. I found that they usually have smaller versions of what you find in the grocery store at the dollar store for a buck. I have seen honey mustard, hot sauce, chili sauce, relish and regular mustard there. It's a good place to get these things to use for a meal without spending a whole lot.

Tea: I have found different kinds of tea that are priced way less than in the grocery store. May not be name brand, but tea is great. And it's healthy for you! I recomend Chai tea, mint and Green tea.

Nuts: If you can find some that are not salted or have sugary syrup on them, then you are good to go! Sometimes they have little bags full of a variety or a certain kind. Nuts are a great way to add protein to your diet.

Well that is my list! I know the dollar store can be sketchy, but if you are looking to save some money and are willing to hunt around you can usually find some pretty good deals!

[Catie101]

i haven't seen anything healthy at the dollar store

[Prof_Don]

Then in your opinion, what are the "best" choices out of what you've seen at these dollar stores you've been to?

[Prof_Don]

P.S. I remember how much of a health nut you are. :)

[Catie101]

sugar free gum? lmao nawh maybe soup with less sodium :/

[WoIIie]

Frozen vegetables, canned meats that still have shelf life.

Dont buy there for reserves. Buy them and eat them and it will be no different than a normal grocery store.

On a side note, I saw cans of tuna (good through 2015) on sale for $0.79. I bought 35 cans. The very next day I went to check the price of tuna cans and they were marked up to $1.39. Look for the good deals in regular stores because you just might get better quality for even cheaper.

[Longshot]

I buy pasta, rice and soups at $1 stores. When I buy soup though, I read the label to get the ones with lowest sodium.

[upood]

Rice is usually your best bet. And noodles. Other than that everything else is quite processed and heavy in saturated fats and sodium.

[Ugliness]

Healthy items at the dollar store? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA it is to laugh.

Soap, perhaps.

[LoveLayne]

what's a 99cent/dollar store?

[Prof_Don]

It's a discount-style of store where EVERY ITEM inside of the store is $1 or less per item.

[LoveLayne]

:O nooo wayyy

[Prof_Don]

u don't have a store like that in the UK? (I know that you don't use dollars over there lol)

[LoveLayne]

lol I'm actually from the states...but no they don't have them here.. and I never seen one in the states either