Budget doesn't mean unhealthy. Discover store brands that outperform national brands, single-ingredient champions, and categories where you get the most nutrition per dollar.
3.4
O Organics (Albertsons) average Processing Score - better than most national brands
7.2
Average Processing Score for national brands - significantly higher than top store brands
• Store brands often win: 5 of the top 6 healthiest store brands score better than the national average
• Single ingredients are cheapest: Rice, beans, and oats consistently score perfect 10s for nutrition
• Quality varies dramatically: From O Organics (3.4) to Great Value (7.4) - know where to shop
Ranked by Processing Score (lower is better) - proving that budget shopping can be healthier than premium brands:
Budget insight: O Organics beats 95% of national brands on Processing Score, while costing significantly less than premium organic brands.
The healthiest AND cheapest foods are often the simplest. Perfect Processing Score (1.0) + Perfect Nutrition Score (10.0):
Shopping tip: These single-ingredient staples are typically the cheapest per serving and form the foundation of budget-conscious healthy eating.
Categories where healthy options (PS ≤ 5.0, NS ≥ 6.0) make up the majority of products:
Budget strategy: Focus your shopping on these categories where healthy options dominate, giving you the best odds of finding nutritious foods at any price point.
| Brand Type | Avg Processing Score | Avg Nutrition Score | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| O Organics (Albertsons) | 3.4 | 5.4 | 4,075 |
| 365 (Whole Foods) | 3.9 | 5.2 | 8,510 |
| Simple Truth (Kroger) | 4.1 | 5.2 | 3,920 |
| Good & Gather (Target) | 4.3 | 5.2 | 9,240 |
| National Brands Average | 7.2 | 4.8 | 1,250,658 |
| Great Value (Walmart) | 7.4 | 4.5 | 19,252 |
The winner is clear: Top store brands like O Organics and 365 significantly outperform the national brand average, while even Great Value's higher scores reflect its massive product range including processed foods.
Real products from major store brands that score Processing Score ≤ 5.0 and Nutrition Score ≥ 6.0:
Brands with "value" or "budget" in their positioning that deliver exceptional health scores:
Value Score = Nutrition Score - Processing Score. Higher positive numbers mean you get more nutrition per unit of processing - the ultimate budget health metric.
These form 70% of your calories at the lowest cost per serving
Add nutrition and variety without breaking the budget
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Always consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.