Saving Advice - Many people need snacks between meals to keep their energy levels up during the day. However, if you’re health or budget-conscious, ensuring your snacks are good for you and don’t break the bank is a must. Fortunately, there are plenty of cheap healthy snacks that can work well for both adults and children. Here are ten snacks that are good for your health and your wallet.
1. Hard Boiled Eggs
With hard-boiled eggs, you get a source of lean protein without a lot of calories. Plus, you can prepare a batch in advance, allowing you to have snacks during the week without having to boil the eggs every time you need a quick nibble. Eggs are also typically affordable, making them a low-cost option for those on tight budgets.
2. Celery and Carrot Sticks
Carrot and celery sticks are low-cost, low-calorie snacks with plenty of vitamins and minerals. Plus, they both contain a lot of water, and they’re a decent source of fiber. As a result, they can help you feel full without having to eat a lot of calories. Just keep in mind that dips for them can increase the calorie counts dramatically, so it’s better to eat them plain whenever possible.
3. Apples
Apples are a tasty, sweet treat that doesn’t come with a ton of calories. Plus, they’re fiber-rich and low on the glycemic index, so they won’t spike your blood sugar and cause a crash later. Apples also come in a lot of varieties, each with a unique flavor profile. This is also a snack you can amp up by getting some no-sugar-added peanut butter, a move that also gets you some protein.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt is full of vitamins and minerals, as well as a source of protein. By going with a plain version, it also won’t contain a bunch of sugar. Plain yogurt also allows you to put in healthy extras to give it the taste you want, such as a dash of cinnamon, some chopped nuts, a bit of honey, or some fresh berries.
5. Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are a good source of protein and fiber, but they don’t contain a lot of calories. Plus, you can flavor them in many different ways, allowing you to create a snack that’s genuinely delectable to you. Chickpeas are also very affordable, making this an excellent choice for the budget-conscious. The crunch is also very satisfying.
6. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is an excellent option for some low-cost dairy that’s packed with nutrients. It also has a relatively mild flavor, so you can add things to it to adjust how it tastes without pumping up the calories, not unlike how you can with yogurt.
7. Air-Popped Popcorn
Popcorn is a whole grain, so it’s high in fiber. By going with an air-popped option, you can also avoid unnecessary fats from oil. Since popcorn isn’t strongly flavored, you can add various seasonings to alter the overall profile with ease without increasing the calories significantly, too.
8. Pickles
Pickles are a surprisingly healthy snack that works well if you prefer stronger flavors. They’re made from cucumbers, which are low-calorie by nature and full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, they can be high in sugar or salt (depending on whether they’re sweet or dill), so you want to check those numbers before picking a brand. Otherwise, you can try homemade pickles to give you more control.
9. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes make a great snack since they’re bite-sized automatically. Plus, they contain lycopene, which helps fight free radicals. They’re also filled with other vitamins and minerals, as well as water. Overall, they’re also reasonably affordable and low-calorie. You can even keep the cost down further by growing your own, which also ensures you get the freshest cherry tomatoes possible.
10. Watermelon
While watermelon is deliciously sweet, it’s typically low in calories. When you buy one whole during peak season, watermelon can be reasonably affordable, too. It’s also brimming with vitamins and minerals, as well as plenty of water, so it can be part of a healthy diet.
Do you know of any other cheap healthy snacks people should consider? Do you have a favorite low-cost but nutritious snack that’s your go-to option? Share your thoughts in the comments below.