Cheap healthy foods...

So this is my first year living on my own and I'm very excited because I won't be faced with eating the yummy treats my dad used to spoil my family with everyday.

BUT im also extremely poor...as is every college student.

I'm trying to compile a list of inexpensive staples to stock my house with.

Fruits and veggies of course....but may i have some suggestions? Merci beaucoup!

dried beans are much cheeper than canned, but it is good to have canned on hand for quick meals. Canned tomatoes have LOTS of uses. Frozen veggies are better for you during the cooler months, and very cheap. Do you have an oven and stove? or is it just a mini fridge and a microwave? If you have a full kitchen then flour is a great staple to have on hand, there are alot of quick breads that you can make for breakfast.

I like to keep frozen edamame in the freezer as a snack, and you can keep frozen vegetables of all kinds around for when you run out of fresh ones.  Whole carrots are cheaper than baby carrots and last longer.  I second the beans idea, and rice and pasta are cheap of course. 

For inexpensive protein, imitation crab; those large freezer packs of frozen chicken breasts, and frozen turkey meatballs are good.  Eggs are usually cheap, too, as is yogurt especially if you buy the large size.

The good thing about frozen stuff is that you can stock up when it is on sale and then it will keep for months.  For fresh produce, it is always cheaper to buy whatever is in season.  Also if you can find a cheap grocery store, like a local produce market or international grocery store in your area, sometimes the difference in prices is surprising.  Hope you will enjoy your first year on your own and good luck!

Aside from fresh fruit, veggies and some dairy products I always have a good stock of flour, pasta, rice, beans, lentils, chickpeas, cans of tomatoes & baked beans, frozen peas and sweetcorn, eggs, olive oil, parmesan.   With that lot you can scare up a decent meal any time. 

If you're eating on a budget also go for flavours. Herbs, spices & condiments.   Vegetables with beans and rice is pretty ho-hum but add some chilli powder etc., and you've got a Vegetable Chilli.  Tomatoes and pasta... nothing to write home about... but add some basil, oregano, garlic etc., and you've got a classic dish.

Final tip... don't buy food, buy ingredients.   A 1kg bag of frozen chips is only ever a bag of frozen chips.  A 1kg bag of potatoes can be chips, mash, roast, sauteed, boiled, boulangere, dauphinoise...... etc. Lots more possibilities.

GI-Jane has it perfect. Those things are always cheap.

Buy your cupboard staples in bulk from stores like Costco. More often than not it comes out cheaper than if you buy them frequently and individually. I back all suggestions for tinned tomatoes, for flours, grains, pulses and legumes, as well as tinned fish - mackerel and sardines (sometimes sold as pilchards) particularly. Spices are also brilliant as Jane said.

Shop for fruit and veg that is in season if you can instead of those out of season - seasonal food tends to be cheaper. Try to visit the store semi-regularly for your fresh foods and use them within a couple of days of buying - prevents buying more than you need and then some of it going to waste. 

It's cheaper per ingredients to bake your own bread compared to buying the loaf (and a lot more satisfying on a whole, I think!) Lastly, look for vouchers and coupons from time to time. No shame in using them!

I hope this helps!

second everything especially frozen edamame.

but if you're out and have limited options-Glenny's soy crisps, $1-1.50 a bag

Only recently I have been looking at "alternative" markets for my foods. I have noticed Hispanic markets & Chinese markets have CHEAP fruits and veggies. Also my Sunflower Farmers Market has cheap fruits and veggies! I just bought Gala Apples at 49 cents a pound.

Also, read the sale papers and stock up when you can on other foods. Brown rice is cheap, buy chicken when its on sale, and don't be afraid to ask the butcher what's on sale or if they know what's going to be on sale.

I've also seen people on Freecycle asking for peoples "frozen meat" Maybe if they have too much or something?

Dried beans are the way to go too. Don't be afraid of off brand foods. Bag your own goodies instead of 100 cal packs. Invest in a water bottle.

But the fruits and veggies DO add up if you don't know where to shop.