2 places in Florida voted in top 20 best places for healthy, budget dining in the U.S.
You might not be able to get a healthy meal out for the price of a McDonald’s meal, but healthy eating doesn’t have to break the bank.
A recent survey from BadCredit.org revealed what foodies around the country say are the best places for healthy dining on a budget, and two places in Florida ranked in the top 20 best areas for affordable healthy dining nationwide.
“Spending money on food can be a challenge for those with limited financial resources, often leading to a reliance on inexpensive but unhealthy foods,” the study said.
“Statistics indicate that health outcomes are generally worse in lower-income areas, partly due to poor eating habits. However, eating well on a tight budget is possible - America is home to numerous culinary hotspots where healthy and affordable meals are within reach.”
Here are the areas in Florida that ranked on BadCredit’s list of the best locations in the U.S. to eat healthy on a budget.
Which U.S. city has the cheapest, healthiest food?
It depends on who you ask, but according to the survey, the area with the best budget options for healthy dining is Hartford, Connecticut’s South End community.
No Florida cities made the top 10 best areas for healthy budget dining, but two made the top 20.
Winter Park, a city neighboring Orlando, took 15th place and the Riverside community in Jacksonville, Florida slid in the bottom of the top 20 in 19th place.
Here are the top 20 best places in the U.S. for healthy budget dining, according to the survey results:
South End, Hartford, Connecticut
Carytown, Richmond, Virginia
Athens, Georgia
Downtown Lexington, Kentucky
Downtown Greenville, South Carolina
East Austin, Texas
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee
NuLu, Louisville, Kentucky
Midtown, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Short North, Columbus, Ohio
Astoria, Queens, New York
Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska
Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii
Winter Park, Florida
Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York
Morgantown, Morgantown, West Virginia
North Charleston, North Charleston, South Carolina
Riverside, Jacksonville, Florida
River North Art District, Denver, Colorado
What cities in Florida have the cheapest healthy food?
Winter Park near Orlando and Riverside in Jacksonville were the only two places in Florida to place in the top 50th percentile, but Miami’s Wynwood area ranked on the overall list of the 100 best U.S. cities, in 89th place.
Both Riverside and Winter Park ranked high due to their fresh markets, with organic, fresh and often locally sourced produce.
“Winter Park in Orlando is a charming (area) that emphasizes healthy living and affordable dining. The local farmers market is a popular destination for fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal products,” the study said.
“Riverside in Jacksonville is known for its historic charm and diverse dining options. The area hosts an arts and farmers market where fresh, organic produce is readily available. Riverside's dining scene includes numerous restaurants and cafes focusing on healthy, budget-friendly meals, ensuring that eating well is both accessible and enjoyable.”
On an earlier rankings list that Florida Politics reported in April, Jacksonville was the only Florida city to rank in the top 25 most affordable U.S. cities to eat out in general, with “prices ranging from as little as $18 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant to $80 for a meal for two at a more luxurious restaurant.”
?Read TripAdvisor's list of the 10 best cheap eats in Jacksonville, Florida
? Read TripAdvisor's list of the 10 best cheap eats in Winter Park, Orlando
“The average coffee was found to be fairly priced at $4.66 while domestic beers cost just $5 and imported beers just $1 more,” Florida Politics reported.
In the same study, Orlando’s average meal prices at affordable restaurants ranged from around $20 to $25.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Healthy dining at a low price list ranks these Florida areas