Healthy Snacks on a Budget

It is hard to go grocery shopping without getting distracted by all the junk food.  In fact, they are often put at eye level or on end shelves, so we are sure to see them.  It is difficult to resist with Oreos and Dorito's seemingly strewn around the grocery store. Having healthy snacks is one of the easier ways to improve your overall health and clean up your eating habits. These cheap healthy snacks taste good and satisfy your hunger without being inexcusably fatty or sweet.

For some reason, we tend to equate healthy snack ideas with something like baby carrot sticks with no dressing. The truth is, there are some wonderful healthy, and yummy cheap snacks out there. All it takes is a bit of creativity and thinking outside of the box. Here are some of my favorite homemade snacks:

Celery Sticks

I don't just mean to crunch on a few stalks of celery, I mean to experiment with it. Putting cream cheese or natural peanut butter on a stalk of celery makes a great snack while keeping all the unhealthy factors in check.

Lettuce Wraps As Easy Snacks

I like to put a slice of cheese and some turkey in a leaf of lettuce and roll it up. You can use many combinations to personalize your lettuce wrap and even change it up now and then. This is great because you get dairy, vegetables, and protein. The best part is how filling these wraps are without having too many calories.

Fruits & Veggies Are Great Snack Foods

I don't know of anyone who does not like any piece of fruit or vegetable. If you like apples, start using them for a daily snack. If you like carrots, start eating them during the day. Using ranch as a dipping sauce is fine; the important thing is getting the nutrients from the vegetables.

Smoothies Are Always A Delicious Snack Without Added Sugar

These are a great way to get anything you need in your diet. Adding a small number of vitamins and minerals into smoothies or your fruit juice will barely affect the taste but fulfill your daily need. Apples in your smoothies work very well to sweeten it up and bananas do as well. Trying different combinations of fruits and vegetables can be fun.

Yogurt Is One Of The Most Inexpensive Snacks And A Healthy Snack Alternative

There are many different flavors of plain yogurt to please every palette. Adding some granola onto the top makes it even better and greek yogurt is a great way to add some dairy into your diet while fulfilling your sweet tooth. Many different types of yogurt can fit requirements for all kinds of diets as well as yogurt for someone who doesn't want potato chips for a snack.

Yogurt With Fresh Fruit Or Dried Fruit And Walnuts

This is a great snack when you are craving something sweet. Layer some low-fat yogurt into a parfait glass with fresh fruit and walnuts. You will not feel the least bit deprived. It is delicious for you, packed with calcium, protein, vitamins, and fiber.

A Handful Of Almonds Is A Great Source Of Protein And Healthy Fats

Any nut is a great snack, but almonds are especially nutritious. Studies show that they reduce cholesterol, help lose weight, and maintain a healthy weight. Almonds are nutritionally dense, which means that they have more nutrition packed into a small caloric portion than most other foods.

Apple With Peanut Butter Is A Filling Snack

This is one of my favorite snacks. An apple alone is a great snack, but if you cut it open and spread a bit of peanut butter onto the apple, it will have more staying power. Not only is this snack filled with fiber and protein, but it is also yummy!

Banana With Peanut Butter Is A Great Healthy Snack

This is another favorite, and similar to the apple with peanut butter. This one is a bit messier, so not easy to take with you. Still, it's very tasty.

Low Fat Laughing Cow Cheese With Whole Wheat Crackers

I only recently discovered the Lite Laughing Cow Cheese and am now somewhat addicted to it. Each small creamy wedge contains only 35 calories, and it goes a long way. It spreads easily, and I spread it on whole wheat crackers. It is satisfying and filling as well as good for you.

Whole Grains Cereal With Skim Milk

Cereal is not just for breakfast. It's funny how we put certain foods in a box and keep them there. A cup of your favorite healthy cereal combined with Ω cup of skim milk is very satisfying and filling. The key is to ensure you eat healthy cereal, not one filled with sugar.

Baked Tortilla Chips And Salsa Is One Of The Best Frugal Snacks

There are some great baked tortilla chips out there. Combine around 10 -15 chips with some salsa for dipping, and you will have a nutritious, yummy snack.

Sardines On Whole Wheat Crackers Is One Of The Healthier Options

Okay...I know that the word "sardines" probably doesn't make you start to salivate. When I heard that sardines are considered a "superfood", I decided to give them a try. I have come to love them. You can now find them in different sauces such as Cajun hot or honey mustard.

They are delicious and 3 ounces of sardines contain more calcium than a full glass of milk, and they are loaded with good fats and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart.

Whole Wheat Tortilla/Turkey Wrap For A Protein-Packed Snack

This is a snack I came up with on my own out of sheer boredom while on my weight loss journey. It is now one of my favorites. Get a whole wheat flour tortilla. Inside it places a slice of turkey and 1 slice of cheese. Roll it up and place it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until the cheese melts.

Take it out and spoon a bit of salsa into the middle. If you like, you can add some fresh veggies. Roll it back up and enjoy. The entire snack has less than 200 calories.

Hard Boiled Eggs With Tomato Slices Is A Good Option

This healthy version snack is easy and delicious to make. I try and keep some boiled eggs in my refrigerator at all times. They are a wonderful source of protein and last for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Slice some thin slices of tomato on the side, and you will have a healthy and satisfying snack for your meal plan.

Related: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Snacks don't have to be unhealthy. Some experimentation and research can help you decide what kind of cheap snack ideas you want and what they can do to make you healthier.