Sweet Side Dishes:- When you’re trying to find ways to cut costs and eat well on a budget, it can be tempting to ignore the side dishes.
But they’re an important part of a balanced meal — and not just because they help you fill up your plate for less.
Side dishes are the perfect opportunity to sneak in lots of healthy, affordable ingredients that might not otherwise appear on your dinner table.
Let’s face it: The main attraction at any meal is usually whichever protein is featured as its main side dish. However, this does not mean that side dishes have no significance or importance.
In fact, side dishes are as essential as the main course itself because they add flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the overall dining experience.
That said, there are several types of side dishes you can make using the following article as your guide!
Sweet Side Dishes
1) Why are side dishes so important?
It’s not just about aesthetics. When it comes to the nutritional content of a meal, side dishes can be just as important as the protein.
In fact, the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s (CSPI) Nutrition Hot Spots report found that side dishes account for more than 30% of calories in a meal. That’s nearly as much as the protein portion!
It’s easy to overlook the importance of side dishes — especially if you’re focused on the protein.
But making sure you have a range of veggies, legumes, and grains on the side can help to balance out the meal and make it more nutritious.
2) Beans and Lentils
Beans and lentils are cheap, highly nutritious, and incredibly versatile — they can be used in everything from salads and soups to tacos and casseroles.
Even though they’re eaten in a variety of different ways, these legumes are packed with almost as many nutrients as grains.
In fact, just 1 cup of black beans contains about 15 grams of protein (which is about half of what the average person needs daily), and around 10 grams of fiber. Lentils are just as nutritious, and are also incredibly inexpensive. In fact, 1 cup of cooked lentils only costs about 89 cents!
If you’re trying to feed your family on a budget, beans and lentils are a delicious and nutritious way to go.
3) Brown Rice
Brown rice is a great source of fiber, B vitamins, and various minerals and antioxidants. In fact, there are many similarities between brown rice and whole wheat flour, making it a great substitute for those who are gluten-free.
Not only is brown rice incredibly nutritious, but it’s also incredibly versatile — it can be used in everything from salads and soups to casseroles, tacos, and even desserts.
Plus, it’s super cheap! Just 1 cup of brown rice costs around 50 cents — making it a great, nutritious way to bulk up your side dishes without breaking the bank.
4) Colored Veggies
While vegetables are (obviously) nutritious, they can be expensive. But there are a few vegetables that are super cheap and provide a lot of nutrients per serving — like broccoli, carrots, and red bell peppers.
For example, 1 cup of broccoli contains more than 30% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C, and 6 grams of fiber. Carrots are also incredibly nutritious and cheap.
In fact, 1 cup of carrots contains more than 50% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A, as well as over 10% of your recommended intake of fiber.
Red bell peppers are full of vitamin C and B vitamins, as well as fiber and iron — making them a nutritious choice. They’re also extremely cheap — just 1 cup costs around 15 cents.
5) Tofu and Tempeh
Both tofu and tempeh are soy products that are high in protein and iron. They’re also both incredibly cheap and can be used in everything from salads, soups, and casseroles to stir-fries and sandwiches.
They’re also super versatile and work great in a variety of different recipes. In fact, 1 cup of tofu costs about 89 cents, and 1 cup of tempeh about $1 — making them a nutritious, inexpensive way to bulk up your side dishes.
6) Whole Grains
Whole grains are packed with nutrients and are extremely healthy. In fact, they provide almost as many nutrients as brown rice — but at a fraction of the cost.
Just 1 cup of quinoa costs around $1 — whereas 1 cup of brown rice costs around $1.50. Barley, buckwheat, and oats are other great whole grains that are super cheap and provide a lot of nutrients.
In fact, 1 cup of barley costs just 78 cents, 1 cup of buckwheat costs $1, and 1 cup of oats costs just $1 — making them a nutritious, inexpensive way to bulk up your side dishes.
Also Refer:- Sweet Side Dishes
Conclusion
This article has discussed why side dishes are important, what they can contain, and how they can be made cheaply.
A variety of healthy and nutritious side dishes can give your plate more flavor, texture, and visual appeal. With these in mind, you can easily add them to your meal.
Now it is up to you to make sure that your meals are as delicious and nutritious as possible.
Leave A Comment