A LOT of parents have heard the argument that junk food is popular because eating healthily is expensive but a new study has found we can eat well without breaking the bank.

Online healthy retailer Musclefood.com researched six superfoods brimming with vital vitamins and minerals and compared them to some popular unhealthy treats to prove just how little you need to spend to eat well.

Lentils

69p for 500g

Jam donuts

65p for 5

Lentils – from 69p for a 500g bag of split red lentils

Lentils are a great source of potassium, calcium, zinc and vitamin K. They’re also rich in fibre, protein and iron, and have been shown to help boost your immune system. In fact, they’re proven to actively lower cholesterol and help manage blood sugar levels, as well as providing your body with a low-fat protein option.

Eggs

£1.65 for 12

Breakfast bars

£1.99 for 6

Eggs – from £1.65 for 12 free range eggs

Once berated for having a high fat content, the world has finally realised just how wonderful eggs are. Not only does their high protein content help you feel fuller for longer and assist in building muscle, but they’re also a source of vitamin D which has been shown to decrease fat mass.

Avocado

£1.80 for 4

Chocolate cereal

£2 for 510g box

Avocado – from £1.80 for four

Avocados are extremely versatile and can be eaten with almost any meal, but better still they are packed with monounsaturated fats, omega-3s, vitamin E and carotenes which are good for your vision. It’s also been proven to lower bad cholesterol by up to 22%.

Broccoli

43p for 350g

Chocolate cream biscuits

45p for 296g

Broccoli – from 43p for 350g

Broccoli is not only bursting with low GI carbs, but it’s filled with powerful antioxidants and fibres. This high fibre content has been linked to a reduction in cholesterol – great for your cardiovascular health.

Oranges

95p for 6

Orange fizzy drink

£1.25 for 420ml

Oranges – from 95p for a bag of six oranges

Oranges are brimming with vitamin C – essential for keeping your immune system in excellent condition. They’re also bursting with dietary fibre and are full of tasty natural sugars guaranteed to give you an outstanding pick-me-up when working out.

Almonds

£1.70 for 200g

Multipack of crisps

£1.50 for 6 packets

Almonds - from £1.70 for 200g

Rich in calcium, fibre and vitamin E – a handful of almonds is the ultimate superfood snack. They’re a great source of protein and a fantastic source of flavonoids, which can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Darren Beale from Musclefood said: "If you’re starting to feel the strain on your wallet, don’t immediately turn to cheap fatty foods.

“Pick up a pack of eggs or some lentils instead, and you’ll soon realise that eating healthily on the cheap is easier than you might have first thought.

“Take the price of the lentils at 69p. That’s around the same as a bag of donuts which are packed with fats and sugar. A dozen eggs costs around £1.65 – that’s the same as a box of breakfast bars which won’t leave you feeling ready to start the day.

“And for just 95p you can snap up a bag of oranges – a small orange flavoured, sugar filled fizzy drink costs more than that.”