Unhealthy snack foods can be some of the most expensive foods you can buy. However, it is not uncommon for people to dish out five dollars for just a small bag of chips and a bottle of soda. Not only do these snacks waste a lot of your hard-earned money, but they are also not healthy for you. There are many terrific healthy snacks though, all of which have less than 200 calories and are under two dollars per serving.
Fresh Vegetables and Fat-Free Dressing
Fresh, raw vegetables dipped in a light, fat-free dressing makes for a tasty and healthy snack. Use about one cup of carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes and/or broccoli, topped with about two tablespoons of dressing for a colorful and healthy treat. This snack will only cost you about $1.50 and it only contains about 60 calories.
Hardboiled Eggs
One hardboiled egg will cost you about 28 cents and provide you with only about 78 calories. An entire hardboiled egg contains about seven grams of protein and 212 miligrams of cholesterol. Thus, for those people who are concerned about their cholesterol, they can eat just the egg white.
Dark Chocolate Chips
Who says you have to give up chocolate? About 16 chips will only cost you around 11 cents and will contain only about 80 calories. However, the best thing about dark chocolate is that is contains phenols and antioxidants that can help to lower people's blood pressure.
Fresh Apples and Peanut Butter
One medium apple and about one tablespoon of creamy peanut butter contains about 105 calories and will cost you about 95 cents. Simply cut the apple into slices and spread a little peanut butter on each slice for a refreshing midday snack. The great thing about this snack is that apples contain fiber, so you will feel satisfied longer.
Fresh Berries and Fat-Free Plain Yogurt
About 1/4 cup of fat-free, plain yogurt, mixed with one cup of fresh berries and sprinkled with ground flaxseed will cost you only about $1.80 and contains only 115 calories. The great thing about this delicious treat is that yogurt contains antioxidants that can help prevent heart disease and cancer.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
About 1/2 cup of cottage cheese contains only 110 calories and will set you back only by about 90 cents. This snack is a terrific source of protein and calcium. However, if you have high-blood pressure, you will want to limit this snack because of its high sodium content.
Cheese Sticks and Turkey
For a tasty lunchtime snack, try a mozzarella cheese stick, rolled up in a slice of turkey. This snack will provide you with about 18 grams of protein and about 15 percent of your daily, recommended calcium intake. One cheese stick and one slice of turkey contains about 90 calories and will cost you only around 85 cents.
Almonds
If you love nuts, you will be glad to know that they are a great snack for people who are concerned with their health and calorie intake. A one ounce serving of almonds contains about 160 calories and will cost you around 55 cents. The best thing about almonds is that they can help lower your cholesterol.
Whole Grain Crackers and Hummus
If you like crackers, avoid those made from white flour. Instead, try whole grain crackers. About 10 small crackers will provide you with a tasty snack that only contains about 120 calories and costs around 40 cents. Add about two tablespoons of hummus for taste, and you will still only be consuming around 137 calories and spending about 47 cents.
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are great in-between meal snacks that only contain about 35 calories each and will cost you only about 15 cents. You can also choose to top the cake with one tablespoon of peanut butter, and you will still only be consuming about 130 calories and spending around 18 cents.
Plain Yogurt and Granola
Mix about two tablespoons of granola with six ounces of low-fat plain yogurt, and you will have a delicious and satisfying snack. This treat only contains about 155 calories and will only cost you around $1.75. Add about one teaspoon of honey, and you will still be consuming less than 200 calories.
Plain Popcorn and Parmesan Cheese
For those people who love popcorn, they will be glad to know that they do not need to give it up if they are watching their calories. About two cups of plain, air-popped popcorn, sprinkled with two tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese only contains about 172 calories and will only cost you about 35 cents.
Rye Crackers and Cheese
This is another fantastic snack for people who love crackers. Three rye crackers and three small slices of cheddar cheese contain around 185 calories and will cost you only about 45 cents, offering you a tasty, yet healthy, treat.
Whole Wheat Crackers and Peanut Butter
For a satisfying and protein-rich snack, spread about one tablespoon of peanut butter onto five whole wheat crackers. If you do not like peanut butter, you can use nut butter instead. All in all, this snack packs about 175 calories and will cost you only around 40 cents.
Fresh Vegetables and Hummus
Fresh vegetables are some of the best foods to eat if you want to eat healthy and watch your calories. Simply dip five or six carrots sticks, celery sticks or cucumber slices in a couple of tablespoons of hummus, and you will only be consuming about 65 to 75 calories and spending about 50 cents.
As anybody can see, it does not cost a lot to eat healthy. There are many great tasting foods that are not only cheap and healthy for you, but they will help you watch your weight too. Trying to cut calories and eat healthy does not have to be boring. Try the above suggestions, and you will find it can be fun.
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