A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers goods news to health conscious, price-savvy grocery shoppers: fruits and vegetables (by weight) cost less than so-called “junk food.”

According to the USDA:

An adult on a 2,000-calorie diet could satisfy recommendations for vegetable and fruit consumption (amounts and variety) in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans at an average cost of $2 to $2.50 per day, or approximately 50 cents per edible cup equivalent.

For the daily price of a coffee at your favorite café, you can meet your daily requirement of fruits and vegetables, which health experts say can help to lower blood pressure, as well as reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and some cancers. But just how much should you eat each day? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a Fruits and Veggies Calculator that determines a recommended amount, based on age and gender.

Just as there are a variety of choices when selecting fruits and vegetables, the beverage industry has an ever-increasing selection of low- and no-calorie beverage choices, as well as mid-calorie beverages. In fact, the development of more low-calorie beverages has helped drive a 23 percent reduction in the average calories per serving since 1998.

Eating your way to good health can be affordable - and full of variety.