Healthy Affordable Snacks

5 rep

MemberSan Antonio, TX

I’m sure everyone has this issue when attempting to get on track with a healthy lifestyle, finding a tasty yet filling snack. One of the main issues I run into is the cost. Yes it would be nice if I could afford some of those overpriced, “really good for you” snacks, but reality (this being my wallet) says no. When I can afford it, the snacks tend to be something that doesn’t taste all that good or it is not very filling. So in the hopes of finding some snacks to share with one another, does anyone here have any ideas or suggestions that they use for snacks? I’m sure we all have one or two items we could share with one another so don’t be shy.

4k rep

MemberIndianapolis, IN

I recommend lite yogurt with fruit/granola. You can get the individual packs for as little as 50cents per cup depending on the brand etc.

It gets even more filling when you add in some granola though, gives you additional nutrients that are good for you as well.

I also like doing the lite pudding/yogurt for "dessert" when I feel like I need something sweet they typically solve the problem without a big hit to your calorie intake.

15k rep

Yogurt
Cottage cheese
String cheese
Popcorn
Apple slices with peanut butter
Whole grain crackers with hummus
Edamame (soybeans in the pod--a personal favorite)

Thanks,

Brian

5 rep

MemberSan Antonio, TX

Brian I actually just recently began eating Edamame . We bout a conatiner of dry roasted at Costco of all places and amzingly enough the 1/4 cup serving is pretty filling, tasty and packed with protein all at the same time .

Popcorn? Hmm never really thought of that as healthy. I guess I just imagine a movie theatre version with gobs of junk on it .

Right now my favorite are Grapes, Bananas and Avocados .

30 rep

AlumniBonita Springs, FL

Robert,
I use 1 cup LF cottage cheese with 1/4 cup LF vanilla yogurt and mix in some cinnamon and frozen blueberries. Totals out to be about 250 calories and filling. Kind of high in sodium, but still a good, inexpensive alternative. Another option would be a protein shake. Costco has EAS in a 6# bag for $30 (about $0.40 per serving)

Jon

15k rep

Hey Robert,

Popcorn is a good choice because it's a whole grain, but if you pile on the junk, it's obviously not so healthy!!

Brian

5 rep

MemberSan Antonio, TX

@Jon,

The protein shake idea is one we have been looking into but moreso as a breakfast meal due to the convenience aspect. I will have to try the cottage cheese idea although I am not a big fan. I hope maybe the flavor is a bit better with adding yogurt, cinnamon and fresh fruit!! Thanks for the idea.

@Brian,

The porpcorn is a great idea and we will be buying some this weekend. I assume any of the small "100 Calorie" style is ok as long as it is plain? No Butter or junk added obvioulsy.

@ Armando,

Ive never really looked at pudding as being a healthy snack, Is there one you use that doesnt overdo it on sugar?

3.9k rep

O₂i | OwnerMadison, AL

I like a mixture of Greek yogurt and kashi crunch. Use something like Agave nectar to sweeten if needed. All of it can be bought at Costco and it's a low cost snack. I actually eat it for breakfast too and just add some fruit.

1/2 c Fat Free Greek Yogurt (Brand is Fage)
1/2 c Kashi Crunch cereal or use Grape Nuts if you prefer
less than 1 tsp of Agave nectar (a completely natural sweetener)
fruit is desired

Watch the calorie count and reduce the portions if you are wanting a 100 cal snack. This is also very filling and will stay with you for a while.

1.1k rep

O₂i | OwnerSteubenville, OH

I really like the vacuum-packed tuna they sell now. It is shelf stable, cheap, doesn't require a can opener, doesn't need to be drained, and doesn't taste like a tin can!

Because I don't have the room for a fridge at my club I try to keep things around that are shelf stable. A typical meal would be a tuna packet on whole wheat crackers and some almonds. That meal gives me 500 calories, 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat (500 calories may seem like a lot but I am 6'3", 230 lbs, and eat over 3000 calories a day spaced over six meals--so, just tailor for your own requirements).

15k rep

I dig the Kashi products with yogurt too...Cindy, are we starting to think alike??

I'll have to try the vacuum-packed tuna...never been down that road before.

Thanks,

Brian

10 rep

MemberWichita, KS

Here's one I like for when the sweet tooth kicks in...Low Fat cottage cheese (I prefer the large curd for this particular snack) with sugar free strawberry preserves. If it's a snack I typically do 1 cup of cottage cheese and 1 or 2 tablespoons of the preserves. With a little imagination I think it tastes a bit like cheesecake with strawberries.

A coworker also turned me on to Vitatops...tasty 100 calorie muffin tops in all sorts of flavors. You can find them at http://www.vitalicious.com/ These folks offer all sorts of products, most 100 calories or less. Also, if you go to the Hungry Girl website ( http://www.hungry-girl.com/ ) and sign up for her newsletter, she will send you a plethora of quick, easy, tasty, healthy and INEXPENSIVE snack and meal ideas to your email. About once a month she runs a special offer to order a box of Vitatops (24 vitatops) for $24.95. If you use them for breakfast or as a once a day snack they are fairly affordable (my wallet is losing weight too will last you almost a month. I recently bought a variety pack to try several different flavors and I tell ya, they don't suck. Throw one in the toaster or the microwave for a few seconds and they are down right tasty (although the chocolate mint ones are pretty good frozen...kinda remind me of an Andes mint).

5 rep

MemberSan Antonio, TX

My current Hunger Buster snack is Dry Roasted Edamame . We bought it 2 weeks ago at Costco for about $7.00. Its made by Seapoint Farms and its a decent sized container for the money. I was unsure at first as a serving size was only 1/4th of a cup . To my surprise it is very filling . Its 130 calories 40 of it is fat calories but its the good fat, no trans or sat. Its packed with protein (14gs/28%) and Fiber (8gs/34%) low in sodium and sugars. All in all its a good snack that can tide you over to the next meal if you are fighting a hunger pang. Any one else eat edamame?

842 rep

For snacks I've been packing a 1/4 C of mixed nuts everyday. I get the Planters Deluxe and a can will last all week. It's healty fat and they give me the salt I crave that I can't get from chips any more.

I also eat pretzels (low fat) and I have taken to Kashi TLC bars. The Mocha one is really good and it's a good source of protein.

Lastly, I've been eating an apple a day--so good and they're sweet so you can hit that sweet craving if you have one.

1.2k rep

MemberFreeport, IL

Edamame is great! I almost always split an appetizer portion of it when going out for sushi so I don't go nuts on the rolls

I have a major sweet tooth, and I used to get candy bars ALL THE TIME. Now when those cravings hit, I reach for a Fiber One or Kellogg's FiberPlus Antioxidants bar. They taste great and don't leave me feeling guilty like a candy bar would.

7.1k rep

H₂i | ManagerMedway, MA

I like to stick a whole small pita (usually joseph's whole wheat) in the toaster oven, break it up once it's crispy and dip it in salsa! Only about a 100 calorie snack.

72 rep

MemberAppleton, WI

I take lowfat small curd cottage cheese and fiesta ranch dry pack dressing blend them together, makes great dip with pretzels or baked chips. Hint: mix in small portions because cottage cheese doesn't blend well. Its in expensive and tastes great!