With the economy the way it is, and by that, I mean crappy, many people, including me, are cutting back on restaurant meals, and expecting more value from the foods we prepare at home.  If you have a baby on the way, and other children to feed, you may be particularly aware of the high cost of groceries.

Luckily, some of the healthiest, tastiest foods for your preconception, pregnancy, or nursing eating plan are among the most relatively inexpensive, and the most nutrient-rich.

Here are four of the items that I always stock in my kitchen because they provide good nutrition for the dollar, and because everyone in the family loves them, so nothing goes to waste.

• Milk: It costs about .25 for an 8-ounce glass, and can be used to make all sorts of entrees, snacks, and desserts, including a Cherry Banana Cooler (bananas are also a budget-friendly food) and Creamy Sweet Potato Soup (sweet potatoes offer great value for the nutrition they provide, too). Eight ounces of milk provides about one-third of the calcium you need for the day, and lots of other nutrients, including protein, and vitamins A and D.

• Eggs: You’ll spend less than $3.00 on a dozen eggs, which you can use to create many different delicious dishes, including an Egg Wrap. Hard-cook eggs to have as snacks along with whole grain crackers or a roll, and add chopped or sliced hard-cooked eggs to salads. Use eggs to make vegetable omelets, French toast, and fried egg sandwiches to have at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Eggs are an excellent source of high quality protein, several vitamins and minerals, and choline, a nutrient you must get from food.