Are you running low on funds, but still craving something good to eat?
While you (literally) can’t afford to eat whatever you want, you can still find good food you’ll actually want to eat that’s both affordable and filling.
When you’re at the end of your budget, you need a game plan. Some foods are more filling than others, and certain foods cost less but will actually fill you up more easily. You just need to know where to go and what to get in order to get the most calories for your money.
With some food portions shrinking and prices creeping up, it’s important to know where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. To do that, you need to know which foods and restaurant items offer the lowest price per 100 calories.
Here are 14 foods you can get for cheap that won’t leave you scouring for more food immediately afterwards.
Bananas might be the best value item in the grocery store. They’re cheap, good, and good for you. Plus with all the fiber in them, they do a good job of making you feel full so you’re not starving after eating them.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.25
Grapes are another high-value grocery store food. They’re inexpensive and they’re high in nutrients and fiber as well, so they fill you up without hurting your wallet.
Price per 100 calories: $1.00
There’s a reason Dave Ramsey jokingly says to go on a rice and bean diet when you’re broke. Although he’s half-joking, he knows rice and beans have the calories and fiber to fill you up, and they’re very cheap.
Price per 100 calories (Rice): Around $0.02 - $0.12 depending on how you buy it
Price per 100 calories (Beans): Around $0.07 - $0.23 depending on how you buy it
You can’t beat pasta when you’re on a budget. Whether you’re eating Ramen or homemade spaghetti, pasta is the dish to serve when you’re broke and looking for good food to eat.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.27
Bread is the original cheap meal, and for good reason. It packs a good bit of calories, it fills you up, and, well, it’s cheap. The best part is you can make all kinds of sandwiches or simply make toast with butter, peanut butter, jelly etc., so it’s tough to get burned out on bread.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.20
I can’t think of many foods that will fill you up with as small a serving size as peanut butter. Throw a spoonful between two slices of bread (also cheap) with a sliced banana (even cheaper) and you have a hearty meal you’ll never even notice you paid for.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.09
This might come as a surprise, but apparently baked cheese crackers pack a lot of calories for a small price. You might have heard that chips and snacks provide “empty” calories, but Cheez-its and Goldfish have enough calories and nutritional value to have some staying power.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.18
You can’t have a conversation about cheap foods that fill you up without mentioning the McDouble from McDonald’s. Between the bread, meat, cheese - and yes, the fat - the McDouble is one of the only foods on earth that can fill you up for around $1.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.35 (check Dealspotr for McDonald’s coupons to save even more)
I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know this one existed. But I researched it, and it does exist, and least on the McDonald’s website. So hey, be bold next time you’re in the McDonald’s drive-thru and order one of these babies. Your stomach and your wallet will both enjoy.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.41 (check Dealspotr for McDonald’s coupons to save even more)
Subway is a great place to eat when you’re on a strict budget. Think about it. You can get a 6” sub for pretty cheap, then add nearly any topping you want for no extra charge. No other restaurant will let you add more calories at will without charging you, so take advantage of Subway’s 6” subs when you’re broke.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.79 (check Dealspotr for Subway coupons to save even more)
Wendy’s is another good place to go for value-menu food. As if their cheap burgers and fries weren’t enough, they offer a frosty that’s incredibly cheap and loaded with chocolatey goodness.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.33 (check Dealspotr for Wendy’s coupons to save even more)
Taco Bell is known for being the cheap spot to eat, but their Bean Burrito takes it to another level. Beans are packed with protein and fiber, so they’re known to fill you up. Eat one (or two) of these and you’ll be good to go.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.33 (check Dealspotr for Taco Bell coupons to save even more)
If you’re feeling extra hungry, go for Taco Bell’s Volcano Nachos. They’re packed with calories to fill you up, and you can eat them with your hands. What’s not to love?
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.56 (check Dealspotr for Taco Bell coupons to save even more)
Last but most definitely not least, there’s Five Guys. I’m always amazed by how many fries they give you, and I always eat every single one. They basically dump fries into your bag, so you can get a regular size and end up with a jumbo size. That’s a lot of potato-goodness that will fill you up for not a lot of money.
Price per 100 calories: Around $0.58; although you’ll get plenty of extra bag fries that will drive that price down (check Dealspotr for Five Guys coupons to save even more)
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