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I have a theory that there is a impossible trinity (like in economics), where a food cannot be delicious, cheap and healthy at the same time. At maximum 2 of the 3 can be achieved.
Is there any food that breaks this theory?
Edit: I was thinking more about dishes (or something you put in your mouth) than the raw substances
Some popular suggestions include
Carrots. Same as potatoes. Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew. Someone already mentioned onions, same idea.
I know your edit says you were thinking about dishes, and I think carrots can be their own dish with very little preparation. I like to bake mine on a sheet for half hour or so at 425f, and they are wonderful on their own. Also so low-calorie you can eat a practically infinite amount of them without spoiling a diet!
Oatmeal with butter, brown sugar, and salt.
The above 3 primary ingredients will be cheap, healthy, and delicious when prepared properly. Adding milk and/or cinnamon to taste can improve the deliciocity.
But maybe don't eat it for every meal or you'll be shitting after every meal. Very clean colon though.
Kebab plate with vegetables.
A coleague of mine was eating it when he was on a diet to lose weight. It's basically kebab/gyros meat and a vegetable salad with a dresing (usually tzaziki). You have basically no sugar in it, it's just protein and vitamins.
Back in the day it cost like 4-5 € where I live which was pretty cheap for a lunch. Now it'd more like 6-7 € but that's still decent
Rice with lentils is a good option, add salt and pepper and salad of choice
Tinned tuna. Inexpensive, high in protein and fish oils, low in fat and calories.
Probably not great in huge quantities because of iodine, but generally very healthy
Look into Indian foods and even traditional japanese. Really hearty and nutrient dense foods there. Plus there's a book on Depression era cooking that has a lot of great recipes for low cost and self sustaining.
You should shop at a grocery outlet, that's how you get all three achieved. there's so much cheap overstocked healthy food, because originally was too expensive and people didn't want to pay that much, so I benefit. Best grocery store there's ever been, prove me wrong!
I don‘t know about economics, but this is my entry to research:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0Xa7Dp3-eYA
And cucumber prices went up more than 50% for me in the last 2 years alone, so maybe you‘re onto something.
If you buy local, and go with the seasons, I'd argue it is rather hard to not have all three (cheap, delicious, healthy) at the same time.
You won't have to rely on produce which is optimized for long transports but can tap into fresh, original flavors. Ripe fruits and vegetables from the fields, harvested just this morning. And because they all ripen now, quality maximizes when prize minimizes.
The Instant Pot or equivalent is the best invention for this. Throw in whatever ingredients (beans, veg) were previously too much hassle to cook. Add water, press button, wait for beep, open pot, eat. Well better find some recipes first, but it's almost that simple.
Here's a favorite of mine: 1 cup dry beans, 1/2 cup tomato powder (yes that is a thing), 2 cups water, cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, stir in a can of corn kernels from trader joe. Done and delicious and nourishing, due to the protein combination from the corn and beans mixing. Or use rice instead of corn, except that's more hassle since it's best to make that separately.
IMHO, steamed vegetables are right in the middle of the triangle. I've bought a steam cooker and it's a game changer compared to boiling. It's healthier since less nutrients are lost, preserves so much more taste and texture, there's a timer so you can start the steamer and go do something else. Also makes you use less water. I've still got to try steamed fish but I expect it'll taste great.
Roasted broccoli from the freezer
Herb Chicken on the stovetop
Lemon vinaigrette with garlic (pour it on the chicken and toss the broccoli in it)
Herbed rice, or rice steamed with coriander
Granita (frozen fruit juice and sugar, stirred occasionally for a icy creamy texture, or do coffee and sugar)
All of these work independently, or together they are wonderful.
Eggs.
Extremely easy, you put carrots potatoes peas salt and a few garlic cloves, and a bay leaf to simmer, drain all, mush the garlic in olive oil and use it as dressing you got a surprisingly delicious healthy and cheap dish. Another great combination comes from cauliflower potato a pinch of garlic some strong cheese pepper salt butter and lemon juice, this combo has all the cheesy taste profile of a fondue without all the calories. Last eggplant and pistachio pesto (pistachio oil basil and pecorino or any other strong cheese) is like the most delicious combo and cheap ish too, it makes for an amazing base for sandwiches!
Rice
Look into fresh produce that you can eat raw. IMHO there's no nicer snack than a crisp crunchy carrot. They're cheap, and pretty much always available. Carry a mini peeler with you and you can just grab one from a store, peel it over a rubbish bin, and scoff it. :)
I think this may depend on where you live or are at the moment and what you consider cheap. I am in Mexico right now and start my days with fresh fruit salads, maybe with some yogurt and musli. With my West European economy it's really cheap.
Chickpeas
This will be controversial. I'm going with Costco rotisserie chicken. $5. They taste good fresh but bad reheated. I don't eat the skin
When there's a half inch layer of fat, I think healthy has booked it out the door.