
Low Sodium on a Budget: 56 Cheap Staples, Measured
We put sodium numbers on every food in our audited price basket. The cheapest foods turned out to be the lowest in sodium, and five processed items carry almost the whole load.
Aug 2, 2026
Explore our latest nutrition tips, science-backed advice, and healthy eating guides to fuel your body and mind.

We put sodium numbers on every food in our audited price basket. The cheapest foods turned out to be the lowest in sodium, and five processed items carry almost the whole load.
Aug 2, 2026

Same bean, different water. Dry black beans hold 21.6 g of protein per 100 g against 6.0 g canned, and return 81.0 g per dollar against 30.1 g.
Jul 28, 2026

A rice and beans dinner ran about $0.32 for 23.8 g of protein in our data. You can eat it daily. What it will not do is cover everything.
Jul 28, 2026

In our July 2026 price study of 49 grocery foods, the TVP row led at 52.17 g of protein per 100 g, sourced to the manufacturer label because USDA publishes no TVP record at all.
Jul 28, 2026

Rice and beans delivers 30 g of protein for $0.40. Ground beef and rice needs $2.04 for the same 30 g. Twelve high protein meals, costed.
Jul 28, 2026

Count on 90 g of dry beans per person: 19.3 g of protein, 14 g of fiber, about 20 cents. A four pound bag of pinto beans feeds twenty of those portions.
Jul 28, 2026

A 15.5 oz can of black beans cost $0.88 in July 2026. The same protein from dry beans costs $0.33. Here is what the convenience really buys.
Jul 28, 2026

Figure on 100 g of dry lentils per person. That's 24.6 g of protein, 10.7 g of fiber, and about 32 cents. A 16 oz bag feeds four and a half people.
Jul 28, 2026

A 60 g scoop of dry rolled oats is the working serving: 7.9 g protein, 6.1 g fiber, 17 cents. A 42 oz canister holds about 20 of them.
Jul 28, 2026

A quarter of the FDA's 50 g Daily Value is 12.5 g, which two eggs just clear at 12.6. Most default breakfasts land nowhere near it.
Jul 28, 2026

Dry brown lentils deliver 77.7 g of protein per dollar. Chicken breast delivers 24.5. Lentils beat every raw meat we priced, by 3.2x.
Jul 28, 2026

A 60 g bowl of dry rolled oats carries 7.9 g of protein and 6.1 g of fiber for about 17 cents. Per 100 g, oats beat eggs on protein.
Jul 28, 2026

Two tablespoons of peanut butter add 7.1 g of protein for 14 cents. Two eggs add 12.6 g for 37 cents. Here's every add-on, priced.
Jul 28, 2026

Dry beans run 20.5 to 24.6 g of protein per 100 g and 10.7 to 22.2 g of fiber. Here are ten beans and pulses measured and priced side by side.
Jul 28, 2026

Dry navy beans lead the true beans at 22.33 g of protein per 100 g, ahead of black at 21.6 and pinto at 21.42. Lentils beat all of them at 24.63.
Jul 28, 2026

Eggs score 1.13 on DIAAS, milk 1.14, beef 1.11, chicken 1.08. Peanut butter scores 0.43 and beans 0.59. Here's what those numbers mean.
Jul 28, 2026

Brown lentils, on the money. They returned 77.7 g of protein per dollar against 56.0 for red lentils, because red cost 35% more for the same 16 oz bag.
Jul 28, 2026

In our July 2026 price study of 53 grocery foods, chia seeds led at 34.4 g of fiber per 100 g, followed by whole flaxseed and dry split peas.
Jul 27, 2026

A 15.5 oz can of black beans carries about 26.5 g of protein, roughly 53% of the FDA Daily Value, for $0.88 at July 2026 prices.
Jul 27, 2026

Two tablespoons of peanut butter carry about 7.1 g of protein, roughly 14% of the FDA Daily Value, for about 14 cents at July 2026 prices.
Jul 27, 2026

Two large eggs carry about 12.6 g of protein, roughly 25% of the FDA Daily Value, for about 37 cents at May 2026 US average prices.
Jul 27, 2026

One cup of dry pinto beans plus two thirds of a cup of dry brown rice per person per day gives 47.6 g of protein and 32.2 g of fiber for $0.64.
Jul 27, 2026

Bone-in drumsticks deliver 50.3 g of protein per dollar. Chicken breast delivers 24.5. Dark meat wins 2.1x, but boneless thighs only reach 27.7.
Jul 26, 2026

Eggs deliver 34.4 g of protein per dollar; Greek yogurt 27.5. Eggs win by only 1.3x, close enough that the tiebreaker is what you'll actually eat.
Jul 26, 2026

Frozen green peas give 17.6 g of fiber per dollar; fresh broccoli crowns give 6.1. Frozen wins by 2.9x, but bagged carrots beat most of the freezer.
Jul 26, 2026

Dry pinto beans deliver 97.9 g of protein per dollar. Ground beef delivers 11.5. Beans win by 8.5x, and still win by 5x after quality.
Jul 26, 2026

Dry brown lentils deliver 77.7 g of protein per dollar. Chicken breast delivers 24.5. Lentils win by 3.2x, and still win by 2x after quality.
Jul 26, 2026

Peanut butter delivers 50.7 g of protein per dollar. Almonds deliver 14.8. Peanut butter wins by 3.4x, even though the two are nearly tied by weight.
Jul 26, 2026

Popcorn kernels return 51.3g of fiber per dollar against 8.8g for almonds, about 5.8 times more. Almonds are a snack you buy for other reasons.
Jul 26, 2026

Chicken breast delivers 24.5 g of protein per dollar. Extra firm tofu delivers 13.6. Chicken wins by 1.8x, and quality scoring widens the gap.
Jul 26, 2026

Whole wheat flour gives 77.8 g of fiber per dollar; quinoa gives 10.6. Flour wins by 7.3x, but you can't build a lunch salad out of flour.
Jul 26, 2026

We priced 30 protein-heavy menu items across 7 chains. The best drive-thru deal hits 8.4 grams per dollar. Dry pinto beans beat it by almost 12x.
Jul 16, 2026

We re-ranked 25 cheap proteins by quality-adjusted grams per dollar using DIAAS. Pinto beans held first at 58 g per dollar. The cereal grains fell hard.
Jul 16, 2026

FDA gets 28g fiber and 50g protein from tidy 2,000-calorie label math. The numbers are useful, but they aren't a personality test.
Jul 14, 2026

USDA says its reference family of four can eat at home for $235 a week. Here's what that grocery budget buys, assumes, and quietly leaves out.
Jul 14, 2026

Chicken drumsticks top 21 animal proteins at 50.3 g per dollar. Eggs hit 34.4, milk 29.1, and bacon trails at 9.2. July 2026 prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Dry pinto beans deliver 97.9g of protein plus 70.8g of fiber per dollar, 168.7 grams combined. We ranked 10 beans and lentils on both metrics.
Jul 13, 2026

Whole wheat flour leads breakfast staples at 173.8 combined grams of protein and fiber per dollar. Oats hit 82.4, eggs 34.4, gala apples just 7.3.
Jul 13, 2026

Dry pinto beans deliver 97.9 g of protein per dollar; canned chickpeas just 22. We compared 10 beans both ways using July 2026 prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Split a dollar 50/50 between dry pinto beans and whole wheat flour and it buys 97.0 grams of protein. We ranked 20 legume and grain pairs this way.
Jul 13, 2026

Eggs lead the dairy case at 34.4 g of protein per dollar, mozzarella hits 30.1, and plain whole milk at 29.1 beats Greek yogurt at 27.5.
Jul 13, 2026

Eggs deliver 34.4 g of protein per dollar and rank 19th of 49 foods. Every dried legume beats them; most meat, fish, and dairy don't.
Jul 13, 2026

Whole wheat flour tops 11 grains at 77.8g of fiber per dollar; quinoa lands last at 10.6g. The full ranking, with real July 2026 prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Home-popped popcorn leads 10 snacks at 51.3g of fiber per dollar, with carrots topping the exact-source rows at 16.1g. Ranked with July 2026 prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Bone-in chicken drumsticks lead 11 meat cuts at 50.3 g of protein per dollar. Bacon comes last at 9.2 g. Full July 2026 ranking with prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Peanut butter wins no-cook protein at 50.7 g per dollar. Canned black beans hit 30.1 and a $0.98 tuna can gives 22.4. July 2026 ranking.
Jul 13, 2026

One dollar buys 77.8g of fiber as whole wheat flour, 71g as split peas, and 34.4g as canned black beans. Here's what $1 buys across 15 foods.
Jul 13, 2026

One dollar buys 97.9 g of protein as dry pinto beans, 50.3 g as chicken drumsticks, 39.8 g as peanuts. 15 foods ranked at July 2026 prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Frozen green peas win at 17.6g of fiber per dollar across 22 fruits and vegetables; blueberries land last at 2.5g. Full July 2026 ranking.
Jul 13, 2026

Dry pinto beans lead 18 plant proteins at 97.9 g of protein per dollar. Tofu and tempeh sit at the bottom. Full ranking with July 2026 prices.
Jul 13, 2026

Dry pinto beans lead 27 shelf-stable foods at 97.9g of protein per dollar. Canned black beans top the cans at 30.1g, and almonds trail at 14.8g.
Jul 13, 2026

We priced five real ways to hit 50 grams of protein in one day, from 82 cents to $13.23. Same protein, 16 times the price. Every grocery number is audited.
Jul 12, 2026

Dried beans deliver up to 98 grams of protein per dollar and bacon delivers 9. Here's the complete guide to high protein on a budget, with real prices.
Jul 8, 2026

We priced five real ways to hit 30 grams of fiber in one day, from 62 cents to $14.42. Same fiber, 23 times the price. Every grocery fiber figure traces to USDA data.
Jul 8, 2026

Americans average about 16 grams of fiber a day against a 28 gram Daily Value. Here's how to close the gap cheaply, with real prices and real math.
Jul 7, 2026

A dollar of dry pinto beans buys 97.9g of protein. A dollar of bacon buys 9.2g. All 49 grocery foods ranked by protein per dollar, at July 2026 prices.
Jul 6, 2026

A dollar of dry split peas buys 71g of fiber. A dollar of blueberries buys 2.5g. All 53 grocery foods ranked by fiber per dollar, at July 2026 prices.
Jul 4, 2026

Selenium foods are normal groceries: tuna, eggs, chicken, pasta, Brazil nuts. Here are the real NIH numbers, the 400 mcg ceiling, and meals that clear 55 mcg.
May 6, 2026

Not every fiber is a prebiotic. Which everyday foods carry inulin-type fructans, what the trials actually dosed, and where the evidence stops.
May 2, 2026

Stop settling for flimsy white bread. We found the best high protein breads that actually hold a sandwich together without taste like cardboard.
Apr 28, 2026

Compare low-cost protein sources for large families, including beans, eggs, chicken, lentils, dairy, and canned fish, with practical meal ideas.
Apr 28, 2026

A regular restaurant cheese pizza slice has about 2.7 grams of fiber. Whole wheat crust slices run 4.2 to 5.1 grams in USDA data.
Apr 28, 2026

Don't pack away the stockpot just because the sun is out. Spring soups offer a lighter way to stay hydrated and get your greens without the winter bloat.
Apr 28, 2026

Per ounce, plain chips run 149 calories and 0.9g fiber. Air-popped popcorn runs 108 and 4.1g. Here's which swaps change the numbers and which ones don't.
Apr 28, 2026

Tired of the same old white rice? These fiber-rich swaps cook fast and won't make your kids stage a dinner table protest.
Apr 28, 2026

Your healthy summer salad might be a dessert in disguise. Learn how to spot hidden sugars in store-bought dressings and find better alternatives.
Apr 28, 2026

Protein and fiber may both affect fullness, but neither guarantees you'll eat less. Here's what controlled trials show and how to pair them.
Apr 28, 2026

Looking for a high-protein breakfast that isn't another egg bite? Here is the breakdown of how much protein is actually in your favorite bagel sandwich.
Apr 28, 2026

Stop guessing your breakfast stats. We break down the protein, carbs, and fats in a balanced egg sandwich that actually keeps you full until lunch.
Apr 28, 2026

Choose granola by checking serving size, added sugar, fiber, and ingredients, so breakfast does not quietly turn into a bowl of cookies.
Apr 27, 2026

Compare frozen and fresh produce by cost, texture, shelf life, and cooking use so you know which version makes sense for the meal in front of you.
Apr 25, 2026

FDA rules: 'good source of fiber' means 10 to 19% of the Daily Value, about 2.8 to 5.3 grams per serving. Here's what the claim doesn't tell you.
Apr 25, 2026

Deciding between cottage cheese vs Greek yogurt doesn't have to be confusing. Here's a practical breakdown of how to use both for better meals.
Apr 20, 2026

Smoke points for 22 refined oils and fats plus measured figures for cold-pressed bottles, each traced to the lab table it came from, and which oil to grab for searing, frying and baking.
Apr 19, 2026

Use flexible bases, separate toppings, and familiar textures when cooking for picky adults, without making a completely different meal for everyone.
Apr 18, 2026

Use cinnamon, vanilla, citrus, and cocoa to make oatmeal, yogurt, drinks, and desserts taste more interesting without adding more sugar.
Apr 16, 2026

Use citrus, vinegar, herbs, spices, browning, and measured umami ingredients to build flavor before automatically reaching for more salt.
Apr 16, 2026

Rotate zinc-containing foods such as beef, beans, dairy, eggs, seeds, and seafood into ordinary weekly meals without planning a separate menu.
Apr 13, 2026

USDA cooked servings: chicken breast 26 to 35 grams of protein, a cup of black beans about 15 grams, tofu 8 to 20 grams depending on the block.
Apr 7, 2026

Cook amaranth, millet, and teff without producing mystery paste. Use these ratios, timing cues, and fixes for three grains that refuse to act like rice.
Apr 8, 2026

Stop crashing at ten in the morning. Learn how to build a balanced breakfast that keeps you full without requiring an hour of meal prep.
Apr 8, 2026

You don't need a Pinterest-perfect meal plan. Here's a practical system to plan a week of dinners with fewer grocery runs and way less wasted food.
Apr 8, 2026

Natto is a sticky fermented soybean food with protein, fiber, a strong flavor, and far fewer proven gut-health outcomes than the hype suggests.
Apr 4, 2026

No fruit melts fat on its own. These high fiber fruits help snacks feel more satisfying when you portion them and pair them with real meals
Mar 30, 2026

Blend fruit, oats, seeds, and other fiber-rich ingredients into thick smoothies that stay smooth instead of turning gritty or watery.
Mar 30, 2026

Chickpea, lentil and whole wheat pasta are not the same swap. How to pick a high fiber pasta alternative and cook it so it still tastes like dinner.
Mar 30, 2026

If fiber makes you bloated, you might be ramping too fast or skipping water. Here is how to add more fiber comfortably with simple, everyday steps.
Mar 30, 2026

Build breakfast with protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and some fat for a more substantial morning meal without powders or complicated rules.
Mar 15, 2026

Use olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, and fish in ordinary meals. This practical list focuses on portions, cooking uses, and affordable swaps.
Mar 15, 2026

The common baseline is 0.36g of protein per pound, about 54g at 150 pounds. Active adults often aim for 0.5 to 0.8g per pound. Here is how to hit it.
Mar 15, 2026

A dollar of dry pinto beans buys 97.9g of protein. Tempeh buys 13.2g. Every major plant-based protein source, ranked by protein per 100g and per dollar.
Mar 15, 2026

Peppermint ginger tea is a 10-minute, caffeine-free brew. Research on peppermint leaf tea is limited, so treat digestive relief as a maybe, not a promise.
Feb 28, 2026

Starving an hour after a diet salad is not a willpower problem. High protein high fiber meals for weight loss keep you full without the spreadsheet drama
Feb 25, 2026

Tired of the same breakfast loop? These chia pudding variations - chocolate, berry, mango, vanilla - are high fiber, make-ahead, and actually filling
Feb 23, 2026

Make three high-fiber smoothies for picky kids using familiar banana, strawberry, and cocoa flavors with simple texture adjustments.
Feb 16, 2026

Tired of breakfast that leaves you hungry by 10 AM? These easy high fiber breakfast ideas for gut health use real food, not a morning science project.
Feb 15, 2026

There isn't a magic water-to-fiber ratio. Here's what official guidance and a human trial actually say about fluids, fiber, and constipation.
Feb 11, 2026

4.1g of fiber in an ounce of air-popped popcorn versus 0.9g in plain salted potato chips. USDA numbers, about 108 vs 149 calories.
Feb 7, 2026

Try this realistic 30 day high fiber challenge meal plan with gradual changes using oats, beans, fruit, vegetables, and a practical weekly structure.
Feb 6, 2026

Prune juice works through sorbitol, not fiber. Here's what trials actually show about kiwifruit, whole prunes, mineral water, and the juice swaps nobody tested.
Feb 5, 2026

USDA puts a cooked cup of oatmeal at 4.0g of fiber and a cooked cup of grits at 1.6 to 2.4g, depending on the type. Roughly double, not quadruple. Here's the full breakdown.
Feb 3, 2026

Give plain popcorn a real personality with chili-lime, cocoa-cinnamon, Parmesan-pepper, and four more toppings worth movie night.
Feb 1, 2026

The best high-fiber fast food orders at 6 chains, ranked by fiber with calories, protein and sodium beside them, and a dated official source for every number.
Jan 21, 2026

Black bean brownies sound weird until you taste them. Fudgy chocolate squares with real fiber, no bean flavor, and zero bakery drama.
Jan 19, 2026

Plain Greek yogurt brings zero fiber. Here's what each layer actually adds in USDA numbers, and why one parfait hits 13 grams while an identical bowl stops at 5.
Jan 5, 2026
Seven days of real meals, around 30 grams of fiber a day, grocery list included. Print it, stick it on the fridge, done.
You're in!
Hang on one second, your meal plan is on the next page.