10 of the Healthiest Foods You Should Be Buying in Bulk

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Dried beans

Beans are one of the healthiest, most shelf-stable foods you can buy. And although canned varieties will save you time, there are several reasons why dried are better for you in the long run. For one, canned varieties are filled with extra sodium and sometimes other additives, to aid with preservation. Secondly, buying dried beans in bulk saves you money—remember, dried beans expand when cooked, so if you buy a pound of dried black beans for $1.99, you're getting several pounds worth of cooked beans in the end. Thirdly, cooking dried beans from scratch means you can boost their flavor profile in myriad ways, by adding aromatics, seasonings and herbs. And finally, when stored properly, dried beans last for ages.