Cabbage | $.79/pound Use substitutions. Coleslaw, for example, made with cabbage, can be less expensive than greens. (Prices of pictured food vary.) (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Oatmeal | $2.29 Don’t pay for processing. Whole grains have more fiber and are good sources of protein. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Frozen green beans | $1.79/pound If a vegetable isnt in season, opt for frozen. It might be more healthful healthier than the fresh version. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Canned salmon | $3.29/12-ounce can Try canned fish. Its cheaper than fresh and can offer more calcium. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Fat-free milk | $1.69/quart Cut back on the fat. Whole milk is often more expensive than its lighter-calorie cousins. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Chicken thighs | $1.29/pound Poultry breasts are only one option. Other parts of the bird are cheaper. A whole bird? Even better. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Red beans | $1.99/pound Go meatless sometimes. A half-cup of beans has the same amount of protein as three 3 ounces of steak. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
