Eating healthy can be quite expensive. It’s hard to keep fresh fruit or vegetables fresh for long, and for many, it’s hard to come up with creative recipes to try. Thankfully, there are several affordable healthy snacks that you can add to your diet that will make eating healthy easier. Check out these suggestions below.
5. Peanut Butter
Surprisingly, peanut butter is on the list of affordable, healthy snacks. While name-brand peanut butter can be expensive, store brands are a great alternative if you want to save without losing quality. Even natural peanut butter, where the only ingredient is nuts, isn’t that expensive. Plus, it’s incredibly nutritious. The high-protein snack can be munched on its own, or can be added to a slice of toast or even served as a dip for vegetables and fruits like apples, bananas, and celery.
4. Cottage Cheese
While cottage cheese can be a turn-off for many, it’s actually one of the most affordable healthy snacks available. This dairy product is a great addition to any diet, as it’s very low in calories while offering a good source of protein and even probiotics, which is great for your gut. Cottage cheese is a common addition for pasta, including the cheese mixture in lasagna, or just added to a basic marinara for a creamier bite. It’s also great in a bowl with fruit like pineapple.
3. Eggs
When you think about healthy foods to add to your grocery list, eggs are always a top contender. While eggs have become more expensive recently, they’re still more affordable than other protein sources. Grab a couple of dozen eggs for the week and make a batch of hard-boiled eggs. This is a great, high-protein yet low-calorie snack that makes eating healthy delicious and fun. You can simply eat them on their own, mash them into an egg salad, or chop them to mix with your green salad.
2. Greek Yogurt
If cottage cheese isn’t your thing but you still want a probiotic dairy option, then grab yogurt. Greek yogurt, especially is one of the most affordable healthy snacks available. It’s amazing for your gut health, offers protein, and is delicious in a variety of dishes. This nutrient-dense option is perfect in a fruit and granola bowl in the morning, as a dip for vegetables, is commonly used as an alternative to sour cream, is a perfect option to mix with sugar-free Jello packets to make parfaits or even ice cream, and much more.
1. Nuts
If you want a pantry staple that will last a long time, then nuts are the best option. These low-calorie yet high-protein snacks are easy to grab instead of chips. You can easily keep a bag of roasted and salted almonds that will satisfy your craving and will actually fill you up, unlike the popcorn or chips you usually opt for. Plus, there are a variety of nuts to choose from if you’re not a fan of almonds. Pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, and cashews are a great choice.