6 Healthiest Foods and Drinks at Dollar Tree
Exploring Healthy Options at Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree is known for its affordable prices, with many items priced at just $1.25. While the store is a great place to find budget-friendly goods, it also offers some surprisingly healthy options if you know where to look. From dried beans to protein drinks, there are several nutritious choices that can fit into a balanced diet.
Dried Beans and Lentils
Price: $1.25 per bag
What Makes Them Healthy:
Dried beans and lentils are rich in fiber, protein, potassium, and phosphorus. They are a versatile and cost-effective way to add nutrients to your meals. Unlike canned beans, which often contain added sodium, cooking dried beans at home allows you to control the ingredients and keep them low in fat and sodium.
You can find bags of Brown’s Best dried black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and lentils in the grocery section of Dollar Tree. These items are perfect for soups, stews, salads, and more.
My Take:
While dried beans require some preparation, they offer great value and can be used in multiple meals. They help stretch your grocery budget while providing essential nutrients like fiber and protein.
Sparkling Ice
Price: $1.25 per bottle
What Makes It Healthy:
Sparkling Ice Zero Sugar Sparkling Water is a healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks. It contains vitamins A, D, B6, B12, biotin, and niacin (B3), which supports energy production and cell function.
Available in various flavors, including those with or without caffeine, this sparkling water is a refreshing choice when you're looking for something fizzy without the sugar.
My Take:
I rarely drink soda due to its high sugar content, so I enjoy this flavorful sparkling water when I want a fizzy drink.
Chicken Salad with Crackers
Price: $1.25 per box
What Makes It Healthy:
A 3-ounce box of Brunswick Chicken Salad with Crackers contains 1 gram of protein, 190 calories, and 2 grams of saturated fat. This makes it a lighter option compared to chips or candy.
My Take:
This convenient snack is ideal for between-meal cravings without the excessive salt, sugar, or fat found in other snacks.
Wild Caught Pink Salmon
Price: $1.25 per packet
What Makes It Healthy:
Wild caught pink salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain and heart health. It also provides vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium. One 2.5-ounce packet of Chicken of the Sea Wild Caught Pink Salmon in Spring Water contains 15 grams of protein and only 70 calories and 1 gram of fat.
My Take:
I keep a few packets in my pantry for easy additions to pasta, salads, or as a topping on crackers. However, the sodium content is relatively high, so it's important to monitor daily sodium intake to stay under the recommended limit of less than 2,300 milligrams per day.
Oat Milk
Price: $1.25 per carton
What Makes It Healthy:
Marcel’s Modern Pantry Oat Beverage has only 0.5 grams of total fat and 20 calories per 8-ounce serving. It is fortified with vitamins A, D, B12, calcium, and potassium, making it a good non-dairy alternative to milk.
My Take:
I don’t typically drink oat milk by itself, but I use it in my morning oatmeal instead of 2% milk for a lighter option.
Protein Drink
Price: $1.25 per bottle
What Makes It Healthy:
Boost protein drinks in chocolate or vanilla provide 12 grams of protein, which is about 24% of the government’s recommended dietary allowance, in an 8-ounce serving. They also contain vitamins C, D, E, K, B6, B12, folate (B9), along with calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and other essential nutrients.
My Take:
I enjoy these drinks in the morning or mid-afternoon, or after a workout. At 240 calories per serving, they help me maintain a healthy weight while ensuring I get enough protein and nutrients for muscle health and overall nutrition.
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