Staying fit these days have become more and more expensive, or so they say. Since emphasis has been put on maintaining one’s health and wellness, more and more people have turned to whole foods for their mains meals, dessert choices, and yes, even snacks. Healthy snack options need not be expensive, especially when you know what to eat and where to look it. Healthy snacks don’t have to come packaged in the health goods store with a few too much dollars to its tag. You can enjoy cheap healthy snacks from your own garden or even the local farmer’s market.
10. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes cost less than a dollar for 6 pieces in total. What can you do with it? You can eat it fresh and whole, chop it up, or put it in your green, leafy salad together with some homemade vinaigrette. It’s healthy and packed with lots of vitamin C which is good for your immune system, your skin, and is a great source of energy. It tastes even great when you live in cold climates when the cherry tomatoes are ripe for the picking and crisp and juicy when eaten.
9. Raw Carrots
Carrots aren’t just for rabbits to munch on. You can munch on them too and raw. Make sure to pick the right carrots. The fresh picks are always the great ones. Slice them and eat them up. It’s a great source of vitamin A which is good for the eyes and also is good for your complexion. It’s not just suitable for snacks alone, you can make soup out of it to serve before your main course or you can make cake out of it too. You can buy them in your local farmer’s market or if you grow your own, then it’s absolutely free.
8. Plain Yoghurt
For less than $0.50 you can munch on yoghurt; no, not the flavoured kind with lots of toppings, but the plain one. It contains a strain of lactobacilli that’s good for your digestion. You can choose to make it flavorful by adding granola or some fresh fruits. Skip the syrups, chocolates and sprinkles. This will only add to the cost and will fatten you up as well. A good serving of this a day can actually aid in your day to day body waste elimination. The less toxins you retain in the body, the healthier you’ll be.
7. Cheddar Cheese
A slice of cheddar while you’re sipping your favorite wine is a great snack option. Cheddar cheese costs about $0.56 per ounce. It’s a great source of calcium and quite a flavorful treat as well. When eating cheddar, make sure not to eat too much. Limit it to a small slice or two. You can even pair it with your favorite fruits so that it won’t seem too plain a snack. Otherwise, it can actually fatten you. Make sure you’re not lactose-intolerant though before resorting to this yummy snack.
6. Banana
It costs less than $0.50 and can be kept and carried along with you without getting messy. You can make a lot of variations using it too. You don’t have to settle for just plain banana. You can make a smoothie out of it, but if you have to use milk, make sure it’s skimmed. It’s a great source of potassium that can help prevent cramps. It’s also a good snack option when you’ve just finished your gym workout or your early morning run.
5. Plain Popcorn
Now, a lot of people wouldn’t actually choose popcorn to be on their healthy snack choice but it’s cheap and it’s healthy, contrary to what most people think. What makes popcorn unhealthy is the butter, caramel, and cheese that gets added onto it. Keep your popcorn plain, which costs about $0.34 per cup. It’s a great snack to munch on while watching your favorite home movies with your friends or family.
4. Boiled Eggs
Chow down on just one egg and you’ll be good to go. Eggs are a great source of protein and is a healthy snack when you eat it boiled. An egg can cost up to $0.34 a piece and you can eat it with another healthy option, brown rice. You can also make it more flavorful by adding a dash of salt to your egg then eat. Pairing it with a piece of toasted bread and freshly brewed coffee also makes for a fine breakfast. It can help you feel full while keeping your physique in tip top condition.
3. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a nice treat to munch on while walking, reading, studying or doing just about anything. It costs only $0.27 per ½ ounce and that’s already a lot. It’s a great source of protein and it will keep your mouth busy and keep your brain distracted from thinking about food all the time. If you want to save even more, you can even make one of your own, especially if you grow your own pumpkins. Simply take out the seeds and let them out to dry. You can then enjoy munching on them and if preserved well, they last long on your shelves too.
2. Fruit and Nut Mix
You see these everywhere in snack stands and groceries. It comes cheap, but it also comes very much preserved. Too much preservatives isn’t healthy for you, even if the food is cheap. When you have to choose one, go for ones that are freshly packed and naturally preserved. It’s a great snack to eat while on the go and leaves you full and satisfied.
1. Oats
Oats have always been and will continue to stay in the top choices for a healthy snack that’s cheap. You can play around with it too. You can make your oatmeal tasty by adding fruits or honey. You can even make desserts out of it, careful to choose non-fat ingredients to add.
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