While buying “fat-free” cookies may seem more expensive than regular cookies, the overall picture is very clear that healthier whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans and other heart-healthy protein items, are the least expensive items in the store. Look at the chart below and you will see that the less-processed foods are the best buys. Most contain more fiber and less fat, trans fat, saturated fat and sodium than processed foods. Frozen foods, not listed here, are expensive, ringing in at around 25¢ to 50¢ per ounce. Frozen prepared foods often contain more fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium than healthier versions made at home. Price per oz (prepared)Grains:brown rice, bulk 0.01rice, bulk 0.01grits 0.01rolled oats, bulk 0.01barley 0.02corn meal 0.02pancake mix 0.02pasta 0.03rolled oats, bulk 0.02bread 0.03cream of wheat 0.03More expensive grain foods:waffles 0.13bagels 0.14instant oats, bulk 0.16packaged instant oats 0.20boxed pasta mix 0.20boxed rice mix 0.21crackers 0.25packaged cereal (average) 0.27cereal bars 0.28frozen rice mix 0.29Vegetables:cabbage 0.02baking potato 0.02creamer potato 0.03romaine 0.04cauliflower 0.04carrots 0.04cucumber 0.04corn 0.04green beans 0.05sweet potato 0.05frozen french fries 0.06canned veg. (average) 0.07broccoli 0.07tomatoes 0.07frozen veg. (store brand) 0.07yellow squash 0.08More expensive vegetables:frozen mashed potatoes 0.10frozen veg. (brand name) 0.12potato chips 0.19instant mashed potatoes 0.21ready lettuce 0.65Fruits:bananas 0.03watermelon 0.03oranges 0.03cantaloupe 0.05apples 0.05canned fruit & applesauce 0.06grapes 0.12strawberries 0.12dried fruit 0.13peaches 0.15Dairy:skim milk 0.04yogurt 0.07cottage cheese 0.13More expensive dairy:cheddar & hard cheeses 0.23gourmet cheese (average) 0.50Protein:beans, dried (average) 0.04eggs 0.05whole turkey 0.08whole chicken 0.08peanut butter 0.09whole chicken, cut up 0.10ground turkey 0.12tofu 0.14raw turkey breast 0.16peanuts 0.16boneless skinless chickenbreast (store brand) 0.16tuna, canned 0.16More expensive protein: ground beef 0.17bologna 0.17pork chops 0.19round roast, beef 0.19beef loin steak 0.21hot dogs 0.24chicken breast 0.27ham 0.29bacon 0.30beef stew meat 0.31sirloin steak 0.35fish, fresh (average) 0.44lamb (average) 0.44deli meat (average) 0.57