Get your daily servings of veggies, skillfully served inside this charming chimichanga, plus all the tantalizing trimmings. El Tio Grill has four popular NoVA locations, offering memorable Tex-Mex cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere.

The bar is welcoming, with a variety of refreshing margaritas and other cocktails, beers, and wines. Gas station grub. Yes, most of the diners lined up at the counter are there for greasy American-style food, but those in the know descend on the gas station for its momos, Himalayan dumplings with puckered tops.

Thanks to a well-seasoned, garlicky marinade, the cubes of pig are so much more than fat stacked on fat. A colorful salad of greens and cherry tomatoes provides a respite from the debauchery along with fragrant white rice. Nothing fishy about it — Fish Taco at the trendy Boro in Tysons delivers fresh, flavorful tacos that hit the spot.

There are 11 taco types, but go for the blackened fish variation. Diners will be refreshed with this light, healthy option that is wrapped in a soft flour tortilla and served with tangy chile-lime sauce, cabbage, and mango pico de gallo.

The casual-dining Fish Taco also features authentic appetizers, greens, bowls, and more — all at a neighborhood taqueria with a homegrown vibe.

Chicken parmigiana has it all. The avatar of New York—style perfection starts with a flattened breast of crispy chicken. Tangy tomato sauce bursts from beneath milky, blistered mozzarella. Since , the Di Cola family of Monte di Procida near Naples read: real Italians has been serving up slices of pizza and plates of parm that are more representative of American eats than their own traditions.

The best part? Market St. on a weekday to find the long tables in the sunwashed room filled with diners slurping its fortifying soups. Besides the options for various cuts of beef, tripe, and meatballs, pho can also be ordered with succulent sliced chicken.

The deeply flavored broth, supple noodles, crunchy sprouts, herbs, fresh chile, and full-flavored beef come together for a deeply satisfying meal — whatever the time of day.

Only the bravest souls dare try the Medic with its Carolina reaper-fueled heat. Multiple locations — Levitt. This gourmet specialty shop will transport you to Italy thanks to the aisles upon aisles of imported Italian pastas, oils, sauces, and more.

Beyond the grocery portion of the shop, do not skip over the deli, where Philadelphia-style Italian subs reign supreme.

Koshary is a vegan meal so delectable that even the most devoted flesh fanatics will crave it. Koshary combines ditalini pasta with chickpeas, lentils, and rice in a garlicky, cumin-redolent tomato sauce.

The collection of varied textures includes a crown of fried onions. Everyone who loves Korean food that goes beyond the barbecue grill knows that it is essentially a meat-and-potatoes cuisine. The best example of this is the beloved gamja tang, a stew of potatoes and tender, bone-in pork neck.

The answer is hard-to-find wooguhji tang, which replaces the spuds with braised napa cabbage. Even at an early lunch, the secret is out at Ko Hyang House. Each bubbling broth comes with a trio of banchan. The highlight of these may seem redundant to those already feasting on spicy cabbage soup, but save room for the effervescent kimchi.

The best bet is to get both raisin-speckled rice and saucy linguine, along with cubes of lamb that melt with lamb-y ecstasy in each bite, but never step over the line into gaminess.

Freshly made hot sauce illuminates palates more than it burns them; the flavor of the green sauce is unforgettable. George Mason Dr. Manassas is best known for its Civil War history, but La China Poblana Taqueria is giving that a run for its money.

Those fortunate enough to dine at this unassuming Mexican restaurant will be drawn to it again and again, seeking the taste of the outstanding birria tacos. Guests devour this shredded beef brisket with cheese, finely chopped cilantro, and onion, and served with a side of rich consommé sauce.

The authentic flavor has hints of savory, sweet, earthy, smoky, and spicy seasonings. La China Poblana Taqueria is a casual, inexpensive spot serving classic southern Mexican cuisine. Stop in for a historic meal in a historic spot. The bakery portion of the business earns top billing with crisp, airy baguettes that are baked fresh every day.

For diners, that day begins at 8 a. with breakfast banh mi filled with eggs, cheese, and a selection of meats. But the kitchen really gets rolling at lunchtime, when diners put in their orders for sandwiches filled with a delightful diversity of meats and vegetables.

Among these, we recommend the dac biet, a standard for a reason thanks to its collection of meats that includes a swipe of pâté and layers of headcheese, ham, and pork roll. Soaring to the ceiling are cardboard pizza boxes ready for the onslaught of orders beginning from noon until late that evening.

The unassuming strip mall location in Haymarket is open and cheerful, and its Day-of-the-Dead décor provides a colorful welcome. The zesty chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bathed in a generous portion of mouthwatering Buffalo sauce.

The Outlaw taco is another notable winner — tender skirt steak, chorizo, fresh guacamole, pickled onion, jalapeños, cotija, cilantro, and chicharrones deep-fried pork rinds combine to create an inviting flavor.

Inside is a spicy, zesty soba noodle salad punctuated with a colorful Asian-style slaw. Licks of sesame seeds, peanut sauce, and sweet chile keep every mouthful novel. For a few more dollars, you can make the wrap less than vegan with the addition of chicken, salmon, or even a crispy crab cake.

Washington St. But this high-ceilinged Woodbridge restaurant serves both with flavor to spare. And the mofongo in its name? Owner Luz Oliveras has been perfecting the recipe for her mofongo for most of her adult life. She served it to her family for years before she opened this restaurant in , and it shows.

This popular, family-friendly sit-down restaurant and bar offers up a gigantic pulled pork sandwich that will make you squeal with joy.

The pork is piled high — a juicy, flavorful, generous portion — with just the right amount of seasoning. Diners have the option of any of 10 side dishes and seven housemade sauces with their sandwich. Owner Brian Varani, aka Big Mook, creates all the enticing rubs and sauces, and the entire menu is scratch-made from local ingredients.

Enjoy barbecue lovingly crafted in this roomy restaurant, or pick up a family pack to go. This rustic Irish pub in Old Town has plenty of Gaelic charm. It pours Guinness of course along with a serious roster of draft and bottled beers, offers live entertainment, and serves hearty, homestyle Irish-American food.

A hefty bronzed slice covers much of the plate. It is generously but not overwhelmingly burnished with meaty gravy.

The well-seasoned filling, a mash-up of sausage, beef, minced onions, and mashed potatoes tucked under the rich, old-fashioned pie crust, adds up to quintessential comfort fare. It comes with well-cooked vegetables or cottage fries. Keep it simple for dessert with Jameson cake — or go for another Guinness.

The stylishly arranged hipster bistro offers the dish — also called drunken noodles — as hot and spicy wok-fried rice noodles with a choice of meat.

Add to that a healthy dose of holy basil, tomato, onion, bell pepper, and garlic chile. This Bangkok street food is known as a hangover cure. Hangover or not, come for casual elegance, snappy service, and satisfying dining, as you nimbly nibble on these notable noodles, no anger necessary.

Fill up your glass by pulling one of 12 taps at Ono Brewing Company and find a table. While the barbecue is first-rate, the 4-inch-tall beef on weck is a beloved sandwich originating in Buffalo, New York, and it is not easily found in these parts. As is tradition, beef on weck comes on a caraway seed roll, with fiery horseradish sauce, but Odd adds warm roast beef jus for dipping.

If you like heat, ask for extra horseradish. They taste great baked or boiled and make a fantastic side dish. Sweet potatoes are extremely healthy and one of the cheapest vegetables you can buy.

They are particularly high in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Sweet potatoes also contain a decent amount of B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Studies show they may have anti-inflammatory effects, which help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes 21 , 23 , 24, You can pair sweet potatoes with just about any dish, and they are quite easy to prepare by steaming, baking or roasting.

Tomatoes are the most frequently consumed canned vegetable in the American diet. What really makes tomatoes shine is their vitamin C content. They also provide some B vitamins, vitamins A, E and K and many trace minerals 27 , Many of their health benefits are attributed to their lycopene content.

Lycopene is an antioxidant that may reduce inflammation, protect cells from damage and lower the risk of disease Canned tomatoes are a handy staple to have in your kitchen.

They can easily be added to soups, casseroles and stews. If your budget is tight, carrots are a cheap and nutrient-dense vegetable to include in your diet.

Carrots are one of the richest sources of beta-carotene, which is responsible for their impressive vitamin A content. Furthermore, carrots contain a significant amount of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and manganese Due to their high antioxidant content, eating carrots regularly may help decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of stomach cancer 35 , You can reap the health benefits of carrots by enjoying them raw or cooked.

They make an excellent addition to salads and cooked dishes. High amounts of vitamin C are found in green cabbage, in addition to some B vitamins and trace minerals Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables are unique because of their glucosinolate content. Glucosinolates are antioxidants that have been studied for their ability to protect against certain types of cancer 38 , Some studies have also found that cabbage consumption may lead to a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes 40 , A versatile vegetable, cabbage is easy to add to your diet.

Compared to other winter squash varieties, butternut squash provides a higher amount of nutrients. There are several different ways to enjoy butternut squash.

Brown rice is a fantastic, cheap food that provides fiber, vitamins and minerals. It consists mostly of carbs , with 3. The health benefits of brown rice include reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as promoting weight control 43 , 47 , 48 , Including brown rice in your diet is simple.

It is quite easy to prepare and can be enjoyed with just about any meal. It contains an impressive amount of nutrients, including B vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium Fiber promotes fullness and may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , The combination of fiber, vitamins and minerals in oatmeal may have the potential to reduce the risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity 50 , 56 , 57 , In general, oats are enjoyed as a breakfast food.

You can combine them with fruit, milk, yogurt and several other ingredients for a healthy and delicious meal. Canned beans are budget friendly, in addition to being very nutritious. Beans contain a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium and potassium Furthermore, they are an excellent source of plant-based protein.

There are Protein is beneficial for weight maintenance and muscle strength 60 , Consuming beans and other legumes is also associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.

This is likely due to their ability to lower cholesterol and promote blood sugar control 62 , 63 , Beans can be incorporated into just about any dish.

They are commonly added to soups, salads and burritos. They also contain an impressive amount of protein and fiber, which is why they are so filling and helpful for weight control This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer Research also suggests that eating lentils is associated with improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which is important for preventing heart disease The use of lentils is similar to that of beans, and there are several ways that they can be incorporated into the diet, such as in salads and soups.

Edamame is a healthy food with a fairly low price. Studies show that edamame and other soy-based foods may help lower the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.

This is often attributed to their content of isoflavones, which function as antioxidants in the body 70 , 71 , Most often, edamame is prepared as a steamed side dish. You can increase its flavor by adding seasonings of your choice.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein , which means it provides all the essential amino acids your body needs. There are absolutely alternatives in these situations to eating out. Freezer cooking is one of them, but keep this idea in the back of your head if you ever need it.

The situations listed above are when you are at your absolute worst. Yup, I still have them. Likely you will too. The first thing to go in those situations is your routines. The concept of eating out is my dinner version of the red panic button. So when something like that happens, you have your panic button ready to go.

Most of these meals are priced similarly. Even by buying a burger, fry and drink from the dollar menu, I find the prices, quantity and quality of the food choices below to be a better value. My Top 4 Favorite Cheap Restaurants. Photo Credit: Bev Sykes. Olive Garden. If you pair this with milk and cereal for breakfast, and have leftovers those meals are huge!

for lunch, filling in with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and yogurt if you run out of leftovers , this makes for a pretty cheap week. They come in microwavable containers and they can be refrigerated at home and eaten within two days according to Darryl, our local Wegmans deli guy who is worth his weight in gold.

We used this option for the insanity that followed our last baby when I came down with an infection and was bed ridden even more so for a few days.

You can pick up 4 meals at a time, and eat them for dinner for two days. You can pick up a container of lunch meat or peanut butter and jelly and bread for sandwiches with baby carrots and chips at Lunch, and milk and cereal for breakfast.

Photo Credit: Pat Durkin. The key to subway is to just go for the sandwich and skip the drink and chips. Get a foot long sub, so you can eat the second half for lunch the next day.

Drink water at home and pair it with anything found in your house: yogurt, chips, ice cream, raisins and peanuts, or anything you can find. Hint: You can order online and just walk in and pick it up with no wait. Add cereal, bananas and milk for breakfast.

Just need a quick meal out at a cheap restaurant? Try these ideas…. Little Caesars. Perfect to take to a soccer game and eat in the stands rather than taking everyone to the drive thru. Just load up on fruit and veggies after the game.

Photo Credit: Janine.

Create charcuterie bento boxes Prep salads for the week Try mason jar salads

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Lunch bargains for every budget - Whip up a chicken salad Create charcuterie bento boxes Prep salads for the week Try mason jar salads

Gone are the halcyon days of the dollar menu. Not to sound like your uncle after he's had a few Keystones, but a dollar doesn't get you very far anymore. Despite the glorified reminiscing about times gone by, a dollar didn't actually get you a whole lot when there were genuine dollar menus at most fast-food chains.

You still needed to spend a little extra cheddar to make it a meal. So, instead, let's see where a Lincoln can take you. We rolled around to ubiquitous chains like McDonald's, Subway, and Chipotle to find the best meal that can be cobbled together for about five bucks.

To eat on a budget, you need a system. Here are the three principles driving the food selection for this list:. We're looking for the best food the joint offers on a budget. It's not about the most food you can get. It's about the best meal you can construct. It's a little bit about the most food you can get.

It's a meal, right? Also, we're not paying attention to limited-time offers that won't be around in a few weeks. Sorry, Nacho Fries and unicorn thingamajigs. Build your own combo.

What to order: It's a little tricky to get the price down while filling up at your favorite mall-based restaurant. Nonetheless, you can get pretty close, especially if you opt to skip a soda and get some water.

You probably need to hydrate anyhow, right? It's pretty damn solid all things considered. While this meal is put together with menu prices, you can pretty reliably find a deep discount in the Wendy's app and occasionally even land a free burger.

Nonetheless, to get your meal, skip the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and grab two Jr. You haven't really eaten at Wendy's until you've dipped your fries in a Frosty.

The money goes to charity and you wind up getting free Frostys for an entire year. What to order: If you're looking to maximize your caloric intake for the buck, the Sausage Egg and Cheese on a croissant has a whopping calories. The bagels at Dunkin' tend to survive life before your mouth a little more intact than the croissant.

No, you aren't getting a coffee, but Dunkin' isn't fooling anyone with the name change. Fancy phenomenal poultry at a popular pub? Park Lane Tavern offers a massive Alpine chicken sandwich in a charming setting. Enjoy a grilled and flavorfully marinated chicken breast on a fluffy bun, artfully stacked with Swiss and cheddar cheese; lettuce; tomato; a thick-cut, beer-battered onion ring; applewood-smoked bacon; and gloriously topped with signature bourbon barbecue sauce.

Park Lane Tavern evokes visions of a European pub, conveniently located in the new Village at Towne Centre. Servers are attentive, and the vast number of European and American pub food offerings will satisfy every palate, but the awe-inspiring Alpine chicken sandwich is a must.

It is hard to imagine a better value. Diners opting for the beef pho have a choice of meat cuts. Paper-thin slices of flank steak taste deliciously beefy in the most elemental way. Other choices include tendon, brisket, and tripe. Of course, the deeply flavored broth is the centerpiece of the dish.

Slippery noodles buried in the bowl add body and texture. Add-ins include bean sprouts, fresh mint leaves, chiles, and lime. Chicken pho is the other menu option.

Balancing the full-bodied broth are tasty coins of white meat chicken, noodles, and the same add-ins. Hot sauce is on the table.

Nothing hits the spot on a cold, rainy day like a piping hot bowl of pho — and Pho Duong in Burke checks everything on the list with their version of this fragrant, rich soup. Order the meatball pho for a substantial meal with fresh basil, rice noodles, bean sprouts, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and a lime wedge.

The fun is in creating your own masterpiece with just the right amount of everything to make your soup soar. This popular Vietnamese street food is transported to Northern Virginia at this tiny strip mall outpost.

Table service is speedy, and crowds flock to Pho Duong for sit-down and takeout service. Try their other authentic Vietnamese dishes, but count on pho as your go-to option at this popular, wallet-friendly spot. The grilled dark meat chicken is marinated in a life-giving lemongrass sauce that is the X factor for this sandwich.

Fresh shredded pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, jalapeño, and tomatoes provide bonus crunch, with a generous finishing touch of cilantro.

Pho-nomenal, with an attentive staff, is located in a prime location at One Loudoun. It fills up with guests ordering authentic Vietnamese fare for a fair price. Biscuits have provided sustenance to Virginians since the first settlers at Jamestown.

Fans of the biscuit line up at this tiny bistro in a Falls Church strip mall. And they find satisfaction with the whisper-soft, not overly crumbly, slightly sour buttermilk biscuits at Preservation Biscuit Company.

Chef Jonathan Coombs and his crew have mastered the art of the biscuit, making it compact and easy to eat, a quintessential delivery service for savory sandwiches. The combination of slightly sweet housemade barbecue sauce, the tart crunch of onions, and tangy, peppery cabbage makes it hard to improve on this Southern comfort food.

Open for breakfast and lunch. Fairfax St. The options range from an Italian sub to portobello mushroom with hummus and feta. But the most ecstatic flavor bomb among them is unquestionably this combination centered on a preternaturally tender chicken breast flavored with a cumin-scented Indian marinade.

Our solution: Order it, plus another sandwich to go. The smell of fresh-baked breads and hand-rolled all-butter-crust pies tickles your nose. A chalkboard describes the sandwich options, but many customers are regulars and come in for their favorites, adding a cup of fresh-brewed coffee.

Choose a warm or cold sandwich — both are stellar, and all contain quality meats and cheeses. The smear of housemade condiments like horseradish mayo and spicy tomato chutney add creamy texture to the crusty bread.

Dine on the outdoor patio, joining people sipping flights from Wild Hare Cider. SE, Leesburg — Sklarew. The Deli itself is a classic. Opened in in Herndon, it offers its loyal clientele an impressive array of specialty sandwiches, Italian culinary products, and carnivore party platters.

For a bit of nostalgia, and a fantastico sandwich, visit The Deli for a hot Sicilian sub. In the warm months, grab an outdoor table and sip a Dr.

One bite into the hearty roll reveals an essential truth — the best sandwiches can be enjoyed the next day, too. In both scale and delectability, this one is in that pantheon.

NW, Vienna — Levit t. Moments after ordering, expect a server to present you with the wrap, prepared in the open kitchen. The chewy pita bursts with crispy slices of pork. The meat is a bundle of belly and sirloin, so the eater never tires of just one thing.

Looking for loads of atmosphere and indulgent service? Keep searching. This bustling Mexican destination gets its job done with counter service, a DIY salsa bar, and scorching hot food delivered through a window from the kitchen.

Many of the folks waiting in the snaking line are there for tacos enfolded in slick housemade corn tortillas.

Those choices are not wrong, but if they watch the screen at the counter cycle through photos of other dishes, they may be swayed away from their original order. The pork arrives redolent of garlic and crisp from the fryer. The muscle fibers unravel with ease, falling apart as diners place them within a foil-wrapped tortilla.

The meaty smoke tickles your nostrils even before you see the sign. At the counter, buy the grill-crisped flesh and corn wraps alongside stewed pinto beans.

The legumes serve as a spread to help the blackened bites of chicken stick inside the tortillas. The bubbly injera is made from percent teff flour, so it is naturally gluten-free. Its fermented flavor beautifully complements the lightly spicy stews, which are exceptionally fresh-tasting thanks to chef and owner Veronica Mussie.

Pair it with the atakilt wot, a pile of turmeric-yellow cabbage with a frisson of jalapeño-fueled fire. American-style sandwiches include the grilled chicken sub, flavored with pesto, arugula, Swiss cheese, and just a hint of Ethiopian awaze. Taiwanese fare like three-cup chicken and sha cha beef will cost you more than our cheap eats budget allows.

Add a bit of chile and soy sauce for an impact that goes beyond its comforting grandmother-food profile. But be sure to save room. To encourage dining in, the owners gift guests with a hot, freshly fried custard bun.

Craving a thick, handcrafted bacon double cheeseburger with just the right fixings? Zoom over to Z-Burger in McLean for their fresh, made-to-order version of the classic. Add any or all of the 19 free or five premium toppings and seven zesty sauces to the never-frozen, juicy beef masterpiece.

This story originally ran in our January issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine. Home Food Features Where to Find Over 50 Mouthwatering Cheap Eats Around Northern Virginia. Food Features Where to Find Over 50 Mouthwatering Cheap Eats Around Northern Virginia From tacos and jerk chicken to pulled pork and pizza, fill up on these tasty dishes without breaking the bank.

Trending in NoVA New Restaurants to Try in February Around NoVA. At George Mason University, President Gregory Washington Is Building the Future.

First Bite Review: Sixty Vines Brings Wine and More to Reston. They can easily be added to soups, casseroles and stews. If your budget is tight, carrots are a cheap and nutrient-dense vegetable to include in your diet. Carrots are one of the richest sources of beta-carotene, which is responsible for their impressive vitamin A content.

Furthermore, carrots contain a significant amount of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and manganese Due to their high antioxidant content, eating carrots regularly may help decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of stomach cancer 35 , You can reap the health benefits of carrots by enjoying them raw or cooked.

They make an excellent addition to salads and cooked dishes. High amounts of vitamin C are found in green cabbage, in addition to some B vitamins and trace minerals Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables are unique because of their glucosinolate content.

Glucosinolates are antioxidants that have been studied for their ability to protect against certain types of cancer 38 , Some studies have also found that cabbage consumption may lead to a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes 40 , A versatile vegetable, cabbage is easy to add to your diet.

Compared to other winter squash varieties, butternut squash provides a higher amount of nutrients. There are several different ways to enjoy butternut squash.

Brown rice is a fantastic, cheap food that provides fiber, vitamins and minerals. It consists mostly of carbs , with 3. The health benefits of brown rice include reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as promoting weight control 43 , 47 , 48 , Including brown rice in your diet is simple.

It is quite easy to prepare and can be enjoyed with just about any meal. It contains an impressive amount of nutrients, including B vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium Fiber promotes fullness and may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , The combination of fiber, vitamins and minerals in oatmeal may have the potential to reduce the risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity 50 , 56 , 57 , In general, oats are enjoyed as a breakfast food.

You can combine them with fruit, milk, yogurt and several other ingredients for a healthy and delicious meal. Canned beans are budget friendly, in addition to being very nutritious. Beans contain a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium and potassium Furthermore, they are an excellent source of plant-based protein.

There are Protein is beneficial for weight maintenance and muscle strength 60 , Consuming beans and other legumes is also associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. This is likely due to their ability to lower cholesterol and promote blood sugar control 62 , 63 , Beans can be incorporated into just about any dish.

They are commonly added to soups, salads and burritos. They also contain an impressive amount of protein and fiber, which is why they are so filling and helpful for weight control This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer Research also suggests that eating lentils is associated with improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which is important for preventing heart disease The use of lentils is similar to that of beans, and there are several ways that they can be incorporated into the diet, such as in salads and soups.

Edamame is a healthy food with a fairly low price. Studies show that edamame and other soy-based foods may help lower the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.

This is often attributed to their content of isoflavones, which function as antioxidants in the body 70 , 71 , Most often, edamame is prepared as a steamed side dish. You can increase its flavor by adding seasonings of your choice. Quinoa is a complete source of protein , which means it provides all the essential amino acids your body needs.

This sets it apart from other grains, which need to be paired with other foods to be considered complete protein sources. Also, quinoa contains antioxidants, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, manganese, zinc and several other trace minerals, all of which protect your cells from damage that often leads to disease The health-promoting properties of quinoa have been shown to promote brain health and may help prevent the development of heart disease 74 , Quinoa is also a great nutrient-dense grain that is safe for people with celiac disease The use of quinoa in cooking is similar to that of rice.

With only 31 calories per cup 8 grams , you can eat a lot of it without gaining weight Furthermore, popcorn provides some filling fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants, as well as a fair amount of B vitamins and magnesium To make air-popped popcorn, place one-fourth cup of popcorn kernels into a brown paper bag and heat it in the microwave until it stops popping.

Add toppings of your choice, such as olive oil, sea salt or Parmesan cheese. They are full of some important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese Additionally, bananas provide a decent amount of fiber, which may benefit digestive health, promote weight loss and protect against diabetes 20 , You can enjoy bananas as a quick snack food.