55 Healthy 99 Cent Only Store Finds

 

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! T.G.I.F

My roommate and I used to shop at the dollar store all the time throughout the last two years of graduate school. I can’t believe how many times shopping at the dollar store saved us, allowing us to eat healthy without dipping to far into our student loan debt. Plus, we always had so much fun going there because you can almost bet your going to find something unexpected there. Last night I went with my new roommate to the dollar store and relived so many of those memories! I didn’t buy a lot because next week is my LAST WEEK IN CALIFORNIA, but I wanted to share with everyone all the healthy foods I saw!

Photo’s were taken at the 99 Cent Store in Palm Desert, CA.

Produce

1. Avocados, Garlic, Tomatoes and Onions

 

2. Mini Cucumbers

 

3. Mangos the size of your head:

 

4. Seedless Grapes:

5. Carrots, Mushrooms,Garlic & Tomatoes

 

6. Tomatoes and Bananas

 

7. Strawberries

8. Watermelon

9. Fruits and Bagged Salad

10. Frozen Fruit

11. Frozen Veggies

Dairy/Dairy Alternatives

12. Half & Half

I always recommend you chose half and half, over sugary and chemical-packed creamers! (See post about how to chose or make healthier coffee creamers.)

13. Milk

14. 4 Different Greek Yogurts

15. Soymilk

For those of you who want or need dairy free there are still great options for you!

Cereals/Grains

16. 100% Whole Grain Bread

17. Udis Granola

18. Brown Rice

19. Corn Tortillas

20. Whole Grain Tortillas

21. Oatmeal

22. Oats

23. Perfect Portion Oatmeal

24. Steel Cut Oats

25. High Fiber Twigs

Snacks

26. Special K Chips

27. Fat Free Crackers

28. Dried Green Beans and Garbanzo Beans

29. Dried Fruit

30. Granola Bar

31. Nuts

32. Quaker Pop Chips

33. Pretzels

34. Veggie Sticks

 

Canned Goods

35. Organic Beans

36. Non Fat Refried Beans

37. Beans, Beans, the magical fruit…

38. Garlic

39. Mrs. Dash Marinade

40. Healthy Choice Chicken Noodle

Protein

41. Lite Sausage

42. Turkey Sausage

43. Tofu

44. Tuna To Go Meal

45. Tuna Packet

Random

46. Chocolate Coconut Water

 

47. Flaxseed

 

48. Ground Flax

49. Mio Water Flavor

 

50. Salad Dressing

 

51. Spices

 

52. Green/Black Teas

 

53. Whole Grain Helper

 

Non Food

54. Mason Jars

55. Popsicle Makers

Tips on Dollar Store Shopping

There are so many good finds at the dollar store, I never want to hear the “healthy eating is too expensive” excuse ever again! However, that being said, some things that seem to good to be true, may actually be just that… too good to be true. Here are some tips to make sure you aren’t fooled and are using your money wisely.

1. Check the Expiration Date on Every Single Item

I’m not going to lie, I did buy this coconut water even though it is a few days past the expiration date, but I definitely wouldn’t do that with most things.

2. Make Sure the Food is Being Stored Properly

3. Inspect Produce Carefully and Throughly

Open the container if you can to inspect the goods, also turn it over to look at the back. Leave anything that doesn’t look good behind. We definitely brought home some produce that was fantastic, but unfortunately also got blueberries that were not edible. Whoops!

Hope this post inspires you to eat healthy even on a budget! Let me know what great dollar store finds you find (or have found in the past!)