Photo Gallery: 10 most nutritious and affordable fruits with 37 recipes

Elisa Bosley, Delicious Living

Jul. 30, 2012

Which fruits should you buy?

By combining USDA cost data (per edible cup) with Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI) ratings, we’ve found that these fresh picks offer the most nutrients for the best value.
Watermelon

Nothing beats the sweetness of a perfect watermelon. In addition to the classic red-flesh type, look for yellow flesh, seedless, or cantaloupe-size mini varieties. They're all full of vitamins C and A, plus cancer-fighting lycopene.
ANDI/affordability score= 535.

Healthy watermelon recipes
Watermelon Ginger Salad
Seared Tempeh with Grilled Watermelon and Apricots
Minted Crenshaw Melon Salad
Plums

Dark, handsome plums may be messy, but they compensate by offering plenty of fiber and vitamins C and A. To ripen, leave them on the counter for one to three days (don't refrigerate). When ready, they'll smell sweet and feel slightly tender.
ANDI/affordability score =327.

Healthy plum recipes
Lettuce Wraps in Chicken Plum Sauce
One-Pan Baked Chicken with Peaches and Plums
Quick Sauté of Plums with Ginger
Oranges

Chock full of vitamin C, cancer-protective flavonoids specific to citrus, and (of course) flavor, this go-to fruit is high on the nutrient-value chart.
ANDI/affordability score =321.

Healthy orange recipes
Citrus-Sesame Marinade.
Orange Date Muffins
Sunshine Polenta
Steamed Carrots in Orange Juice with Walnuts
Apples

Besides being delicious, apples’ nutrients, including quercetin, exhibit significant cancer-fighting potential.
ANDI/affordability score = 257.

Healthy apple recipes
Apple and Root Vegetable Slaw
Creamy Millet with Apples and Honey
Maple Baked Apple
Autumn Raspberry and Apple Streusel
Berry Lemon Applesauce
Strawberries

Filled with vitamin C, potassium, fiber, folate, flavonoids, strawberries may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer effects and promote brain health; may lower cholesterol and improve the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering diets.
ANDI/affordability score= 238.

Healthy strawberry recipes
Strawberry Salad with Honey and Basil
Strawberry Ice Pops
Strawberry Gelato
Cantaloupe

Muskmelon, the true name for what we call cantaloupe, has a webbed rind and ambrosial, pale orange flesh. The best melons are slightly golden (not green), heavy, and fragrant at the tender, indented end. They're rich in vitamins A and C, plus potassium, iron, and calcium.
ANDI/affordability score = 156.

Healthy cantaloupe recipes
Cucumber Melon Salad
Grilled Fruit Dessert Kabobs
Caribbean Fruit Compote
Grapefruit

The fleshy fruit and its juice are excellent sources of antioxidants and disease-fighting vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
ANDI/affordability score= 152.

Healthy grapefruit recipes
Creamy Vanilla Grapefruit Dressing
Grapefruit, Avocado, and Watercress Salad with Tarragon-Yogurt Dressing
Grapefruit, Avocado, and Arugula Salad
Bananas

Because they’re a tropical crop, bananas—which offer abundant vitamin B6, fiber, and potassium—are available year round.
ANDI/affordability score=143

Healthy banana recipes
Banana Almond Smoothie
Chocolate Banana Burst
Grilled Bananas with Frozen Yogurt and Maple Cream
Better PB&J with Banana
Breakfast Banana Split
Tomatoes

Loaded with beta-carotene and lycopene, powerful antioxidants, tomatoes lend a sweetly earth scent and flavor. Keep at room temperature and use soon after purchasing.
ANDI/affordability score= 137.

Healthy tomato recipes
No-Cook Tomato, Smoked Salmon, and Arugula Stacks.
Grilled Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Radicchio with Quinoa
Roasted Black Cod with Rustic Romesco
Lemon Chicken Paillard with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes
Salad Smoothie
Kiwi

Kiwi, along with fiber, contains lots of vitamin C and vitamin K, plus -- surprise -- just slightly less potassium than a banana.
ANDI/affordability score =118.

Healthy kiwi recipes
Kiwi and Carambola Tart
Kiwi-Cucumber Cooler
Fruit Salad with Orange-Yogurt Dressing

Sure, raspberries are incredibly nutritious ... but they also cost a small fortune for just one tiny box. That's why we have created a formula to pinpoint the most nutritious and affordable picks in the produce aisle. By combining USDA cost data (per edible cup) with Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI) ratings we found that these ten fresh picks offer the most nutrients for the best value.