Updated 26 October 2026
Healthy Food on a Budget in Dubai: The Cheapest Protein, Grains and Veg Today
Eating well in the UAE does not have to mean paying premium prices. The basics of a healthy diet, such as lean protein, whole grains, pulses and fresh vegetables, are often among the cheapest things on the shelf if you know where to look.
We checked prices on 26 October 2026 across Viva, Nesto, Carrefour, Lulu and Kibsons for nine healthy staples. Here is where each one is cheapest today, worked out per kg or per 100g where the data allows.
Protein: chicken breast and eggs
Chicken breast is the clearest win today at Nesto. Al Zaeem Tender Chicken Breast is AED 14.99 per kg, down from AED 18.99.
Viva's Tenderised Chilled Chicken Breast 400g is the lowest shelf price at AED 7.99 (was AED 9.99), but at AED 2.00 per 100g that works out to AED 20 per kg. Carrefour's Tanmiah Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts, 800g, are AED 43.49 even after 14% off, or AED 5.44 per 100g.
For eggs, buy in bulk. Viva's White Eggs 30's are AED 12.30 (was AED 13.99), roughly 41 fils an egg. Carrefour's Al Jazira Super Six Eggs are AED 5.89 for six, which is close to AED 1 per egg.
Yoghurt: plain beats Greek on price
Carrefour's Al Ain Full Cream Fresh Yoghurt 1kg is AED 7.19 today, which is AED 7.19 per kg.
If you prefer Greek style, Lulu's Al Rawabi Plain Greek Yoghurt 1 kg is AED 23.15 (was AED 28.95). That is more than three times the price per kg of the Al Ain tub, so plain yoghurt is the budget pick for breakfasts, raita and marinades.
Grains: oats and brown rice
Nesto has Jenan Oats Flakes Tin 500g at AED 4.99, down 38% from AED 7.99. At AED 1.00 per 100g, that is AED 10 per kg for a filling, healthy breakfast.
Viva's Daily Fresh White Oats are AED 5.78 if you are already shopping there.
For brown rice, Viva's Brown Jasmine Rice 2kg is AED 13.50 (was AED 17.92), or AED 6.75 per kg. It was the only brown rice match we found today.
Pulses: lentils and chickpeas
Pulses give you protein and fibre for very little money. Viva's Green Lenthils are AED 5.30 today.
For chickpeas, Viva's White Chic Peas, UAE are AED 4.40 (was AED 5.37), and Carrefour's Del Monte Chickpeas, 400g are AED 3.99, which is AED 1.00 per 100g. We do not have a pack size for the Viva chickpeas, so check the weight on the shelf before deciding which is better value.
Fruit and vegetables: tomatoes and bananas
Nesto's Tomato per kg is half price today at AED 2.99, down from AED 5.99. That makes tomatoes one of the cheapest healthy items in this whole guide.
We could not find a good banana match at any of the stores today, so check back later or compare prices in store.
Which store for the whole basket?
No single store had all nine items today. Viva covered the most, with six items for AED 49.27. Nesto had three items for AED 22.97, Carrefour four for AED 60.56, Lulu one for AED 23.15, and Kibsons none.
Because each store found a different number of items, the totals are not a like-for-like comparison. The cheapest approach today is a split shop: chicken, oats and tomatoes from Nesto, eggs, lentils and brown rice from Viva, and plain yoghurt from Carrefour.
| Store | Basket total | Items found | What they had |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viva | AED 49.27 | 6 of 9 | Chicken breast, eggs, lentils, oats, brown rice, chickpeas |
| Carrefour | AED 60.56 | 4 of 9 | Chicken breast, eggs, yoghurt, chickpeas |
| Nesto | AED 22.97 | 3 of 9 | Chicken breast, oats, tomatoes |
| Lulu | AED 23.15 | 1 of 9 | Greek yoghurt |
| Kibsons | AED 0.00 | 0 of 9 | None found today |
Quick ways to save
- Compare by price per kg or per 100g, not shelf price. Viva's chicken is the cheapest pack today but Nesto's works out cheaper per kg.
- Buy eggs in trays of 30. Today that brings the cost to roughly 41 fils an egg at Viva, versus close to AED 1 in a six-pack at Carrefour.
- Choose plain yoghurt over Greek when budget matters. Al Ain at Carrefour is AED 7.19 per kg against AED 23.15 for Al Rawabi Greek at Lulu.
- Lean on pulses and oats. Lentils, chickpeas and oats all cost around AED 4 to AED 6 a pack today and stretch meals further.
- Stock up on discounted staples like rice and oats, which keep well, while today's offers last.
Questions
What is the cheapest healthy protein in Dubai today?
On 26 October 2026, Nesto's Al Zaeem Tender Chicken Breast at AED 14.99 per kg was the cheapest chicken per kg we found. For eggs, Viva's White Eggs 30's at AED 12.30 worked out to roughly 41 fils each.
Which supermarket is cheapest for a healthy grocery basket?
No store stocked all nine items today. Viva had the most, six items for AED 49.27, but splitting your shop between Nesto, Viva and Carrefour gets the lowest price on each item.
Where are oats cheapest in the UAE today?
Nesto's Jenan Oats Flakes Tin 500g is AED 4.99, down from AED 7.99, which is AED 1.00 per 100g.
Is brown rice expensive in Dubai?
Not today. Viva's Brown Jasmine Rice 2kg is AED 13.50, down from AED 17.92, which works out at AED 6.75 per kg.
Where can I find cheap vegetables today?
Nesto has Tomato per kg at AED 2.99 today, half its usual AED 5.99. Prices change daily, so check before you shop.
Prices are taken from each store's website and leaflets and change daily; the shelf price is final.