BC-US-MED--Cheap Eats-List, 1st Ld-Writethru,0111

Some best buys in nutrition per dollar

With BC-US-MED--HealthBeat-Cheap Eats

Experts fear the recession will worsen Americans' already bulging waistlines, as healthy food often costs more than high-calorie fare. University of Washington researchers are analyzing which give the most nutrition for the price per portion. Some foods on the list:

--Lower-fat milk; low-fat yogurt; cheddar, American or mozzarella cheese

--Lean ground beef; chicken (not deep-fried); canned fish

--Whole eggs

--Beans, dry or canned

--Peanut butter; sunflower seeds; almonds

--Bread, enriched or made with whole wheat; tortillas, corn or wheat; rice

--Bananas; apples; frozen orange juice concentrate; 100 percent fruit juice or fruit-vegetable blends

--Potatoes, with or without skins; iceberg lettuce; canned, not creamed, corn; canned tomatoes