Working with a tight budget is never easy, and finding a way to eat on that tight budget can make things even harder. However, there are some staple items that people will continue to eat even when they feel like they have no money. 

Whether you're eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, finding cheap meal options is essential to eating well when pinching your pennies. Staple items like butter, eggs, milk, and cheese become first buys when your budget is already stretched thin, and many people will fill in the gaps once those have been taken care of. 

If you struggle to make good food on a shoestring budget, we've created a list of our top picks for cheap food that fits even the smallest grocery budget. 

1. Oatmeal

As one of the cheapest and most versatile foods, oatmeal is an excellent option for people on a budget. Once cooked, you can add butter, maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, or fruit to sweeten it. Add in some granola for a good crunch, and mix oats into a smoothie recipe for a little bulk to hold you longer. 

Whether you like it hot or mixed in a drink, oatmeal is easy to make and fun to enjoy as a breakfast, dinner, or midday snack. You can even add it to cookie recipes like oatmeal raisin or oatmeal chocolate chip. 

2. Eggs

Another truly versatile buy is eggs. While they aren't as cheap as they once were, it's relatively easy to find local sellers who may give you a break for farm-fresh eggs over the grocery store option. 

Whether you like your eggs fried, over-easy, sunny-side up, scrambled, omelet style, English muffin, and egg sandwiches, or even with a bit of ketchup, eggs are an easy and diversified protein source that's great for any food allowance. 

3. Cheese

My family would likely experience withdrawal symptoms if we couldn't get our hands on cheese, whether shredded, sliced, block, stick, or cubed. We aren't picky. We love almost all cheese, whether  Mexican, taco, mild, sharp, or extra sharp, gouda, Swiss, Havarti, pepper jack, Monterey jack, Colby jack, or muenster; so far, we haven't met a cheese we don't like. 

Where would the world be without this ingredient found in so many cheap dishes from so many cuisines, like Mexican, American, and Italian?  As such, many people will continue to buy at least one variety of cheese, even when their budget for food is growing thinner by the minute.   

4. Milk

I've always admired people who milk cows by hand and have access to raw milk. However, most people get their milk from the store and, as such, pay a premium to have that milk “on hand.”

Milk is a great protein source; if you like whole milk, you'll also get healthy fats and Vitamin D in the fortified product. If you're not allergic to cow's milk, it's worth noting that plant-based milk products like almond, soy, or coconut milk do not contain the protein levels that regular cow's milk does. So, if you're wanting the protein-rich option, go with cow's or even goat's milk. 

5. Chicken

As one of the most proteinous meat options, chicken is an excellent food source, and you can often find it on sale. If you prefer white or dark meat, your sale offerings might be limited. However, incorporating this meat into your diet can help improve muscle mass and boost protein consumption if you're lacking in it. 

If you are vegan, you can spend this allotment on either plant-based protein, plant-based milk, or a yummy variety of plant-protein options you favor. 

6. Condiments

I can't imagine how bland most of my food would taste without condiments. Sometimes, I like them mixed together, and other times, I prefer a one-and-done choice. However, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and mayonnaise are popular items in my home and are used regularly. 

If you don't like condiments or need a condiment-free option, check your herbs and spices for seasonings that please your palate. You can also purchase some condiments that fit a special diet if need be. 

7. Sugar

Whether you use sugar in your everyday diet, relegate it to Christmas and New Year's, or avoid it like the Black Plague, sugar is one of those staples that people will continue to purchase, even when their budget is too tight. 

As an ingredient, sugar is used in so much of what we make at home, especially if you happen to like baking. Like salt, it would be hard to imagine a diet without some form of sweet or sugar. Kudos to any of you who can eat contentedly without treats!

8. Bread Products

Pita pockets, tortillas, biscuits, sandwich bread, garlic knots—I could literally go on forever listing all sorts of bread products that taste so great when paired with the perfect partners. A sub packed with your favorite meat, vegetables, and cheese. A pita pocket stuffed with the perfect chicken, mushroom, and cheese mixture. 

No matter what sort of bread or pastry you prefer, bread is something that will never stop lining the shelves in grocery stores around the nation. You can even find gluten-free options in most stores now for those who have a gluten allergy. 

9. Tuna

Tuna is one of those meats for which I have to be in the mood. I love a great tuna sandwich, and fish tacos made with this versatile fish are amazing. However, it's not always a meat I feel enthused about eating. 

It's usually very cheap, high in healthy fatty acids and protein, and easy to make up with minimal ingredients. Even those on a squeeze a penny til it squeaks budget can grab a couple of cans for lunch or dinner. 

10. Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are essential to cooking great food, as they are the cornerstone of cooking food that tempts the senses. It's especially lovely when they come to buy one, get one. My husband even scored some very pricey saffron with a deal like this. 

Imagine making food without salt. Outside of the benefits of using herbs and spices to flavor our meals, I will forever be thankful for salt. As someone who's eaten food without salt, it will always be my favorite seasoning.  

11. Raw Vegetables

I'll admit that I don't like many raw vegetables. Carrots, zucchini, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are about the edge of my ability to enjoy vegetables raw. However, my love of sauteed or cooked vegetables has increased considerably. I love a great mix of buttery, salty veggies on my plate. 

Lacking vitamins can really cause trauma to your body, and being healthy means figuring out a way to incorporate vegetables into your meals. While some vegetables are better for you when they're raw, eating any vegetables, no matter how you enjoy them, is better than not eating any at all. Also, they're one of the cheapest buys, especially when they are in season. 

12. Sausage and Bacon

Finding quality meats isn't always easy, and bacon can be pricey. However, if you can find sausage or bacon on sale with a buy-one-get-one deal, it's easy to save money. 

Because these meats are so versatile, they are easy to incorporate into many breakfast, lunch, or dinner menus. This means you'll likely make them a staple for your grocery list and fridge or freezer space. 

13. Yogurt

This might skip the “cheap” part and get a little pricey, but if you plan out your meals, stretching yogurt can fit the cheap category. If you're trying to be cost-effective, purchase the two-pound bulk yogurt over the single-serve 4-pack option, as you'll get more for your money, especially if you can find them buy-one-get-one. 

Yogurt is an excellent source of protein that can be mixed into various foods to give them an extra protein boost. 

14. Peanut Butter and Jelly

Easily one of the cheapest meals you can make, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not going out of style anytime soon. If you have an allergy, you can quickly replace peanut butter with a different nut butter (like almond or cashew). Sunflower butter is also a great choice if you're allergic to all nut varieties. 

Pick up some cheap bread and make yourself a tasty, easy on-the-go meal or snack that will help keep you full with all that thick, creamy (or crunchy) peanut butter. 

15. Fresh Fruit

When you can find fruit in season, it's one of the best grocery buys you can get. Frozen fruit is also a good option if in-season fresh fruit isn't available. 

Fruit is a must-have for anyone on a health journey. It contains many of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, whether you're trying to lose weight or want to be healthier. Fruit is essential to long-term health.