Sprouts are back. A staple of 1970s diets, they’ve returned with a vengeance, and for good reason. Sprouts contain many disease-preventing phytochemicals. Many sprout varieties are rich in antioxidants, protein, vitamin D, vitamin C and isoflavones. And, sprouts you grow yourself are fresher and much less expensive than those pre-packaged store sprouts. We checked our local grocery store and found that a 4 oz container of sprouts were selling for around $2. However, a package of seeds for sprouting more than 10 cups of sprouts was just $2.50, not a bad deal when you consider just how many sprouts you can get from that small seed packet.

Whether you’re interested in sprouting seeds for their health benefits, or for a fun project for you or the kids, growing your own sprouts is a healthy and delicious venture.

More: Sprout Your Own: Budget Grocery Tip →