Happy Healthy Families

1. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a high concentration of beta carotene, which has been shown to help every cell in the body stay healthy. And this vegetable is good for your skin as well: studies have shown it neutralizes wrinkle and sun spot-spurring damage from the sun and helps generate new, healthy glowing skin cells. Sweet potatoes are also full of fiber and B-vitamins (good for energy). So instead of rice or regular potatoes, try baking a sweet potato instead!

2. Dried Cranberries

Dried cranberries have very high amounts of antioxidants -- more than that of most fruit. Another benefit of cranberries is that this little fruit can help fight urinary tract infections. Dried cranberries are cheap, about .50 per cup, and are so easy to use in recipes. Toss them in salads, bake in muffins, add to cereal in the morning, or just eat them alone --makes a better snack than chips!

3. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are both cheap and healthy! And these little beans can be stretched and incorporated into so many meals. Pinto beans contain protein, fiber, energizing B vitamins and heart-helping antioxidants. Actually, Pinto beans also have one of the highest antioxidant counts of all beans and cost the least, about 13 cents a cup.

4. Canned Salmon

Canned salmon is budget friendly and healthy! And it is much cheaper to buy salmon in cans than it is buying fresh salmon fillets. Fresh or canned, experts say a 4-ounce portion of salmon provides a day’s worth of omega-3 fatty acids, the beneficial fat that has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and thereby reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Salmon also provides vitamin D, and other important minerals. 

Canned salmon can be used like a can of tuna-- use in salads and sandwiches. 

5. Mango