GirlsGuideTo | Superfoods That Won't Break the Bank

Not only is it hard simply resisting junk food, but eating healthy can be rather expensive sometimes. I don't really have it in my budget to buy Acai juice daily, but I try to get as many healthy options in my diet as possible. A great option is to find inexpensive superfoods to get the most bang for your buck. Here are five superfoods that won't break the bank. Enjoy!

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes put their pale, white potatoes to shame in the nutrient department. Just make sure you’re not smothering the super benefits of sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar like they’re often served at steakhouses. Sweet potatoes contain phytonutrients that promote heart and eye health and boost immunity. They’re also full of beta-carotene, which is thought to lower breast cancer risk, vitamin A, which is great for your skin, and potassium, which is a key electrolyte for cellular maintenance.

Quinoa
While quinoa might be more expensive than plain rice or pasta, it’s definitely worth the extra cost. Quinoa is a complete protein, so it’s a perfect meat substitute. In addition, quinoa contains impressive quantities of potassium, magnesium and zinc, minerals that are crucial for heart, nerve and muscle function. Try quinoa with grilled veggies at dinner and you’ll be satisfied ‘til the morning.

Green Tea
While black and white teas also contain protective antioxidants, green tea contains the most bang for your cup. It's full of a metabolism-boosting compound called EGCG, which prevents damage to the heart muscles. Green tea may also improve bone density, but avoid adding milk to your cup because it may reduce the body's absorption of the catechins.

Broccoli
Broccoli does not have to be the nightmare it was in those school lunches. Overcooked and smothered in a generic cheesy sauce, it ruined broccoli for most kids. However, don’t be afraid to try it again. You’ll see just how wonderfully crunchy and delicious it really is. Broccoli is not just brimming with skin-saving vitamin A, vitamin C and bone-building vitamin K. This veggie is not only one of the "most powerful weapons in our dietary arsenal against cancer," but also "boosts the immune system, lowers the incidence of cataracts, supports cardiovascular health, builds bones, and fights birth defects." It’s seriously a super, superfood. Prepare broccoli by steaming it, sautéing it in garlic or order it stir-fried with your favorite Chinese protein. You’re bound to discover a delicious way to enjoy it.

Dark Chocolate
No list of superfoods would be complete without our favorite. Dark chocolate is surprisingly full of health benefits. Its high antioxidant levels make it a perfect indulgence, but keep it to just a small serving, no more than 1 oz. a day. Dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, substances that have been shown to improve blood flow, suppress coughs, improve memory, and give you hydrated, smooth skin.

What are your favorite superfoods? Let us know how you incorporate them into your diet by leaving a comment below!

{Source: Oprah.com }