Snacking helps quash your hunger between meals and prevents you from overeating when it is time for dinner. Snacks also provide you with the additional nutrients needed to fuel your body, as long as healthy choices are made. Snacks that are unhealthy, such as potato chips fried in oil, can be expensive and detrimental to your health. By choosing snacks that are inexpensive, healthy and delicious, you are giving yourself and your family the tools you need for a lifetime of healthy eating.
Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
Combining fruit and cheese into a tasty snack is a no-brainer; prepare kabobs based on the fruits and cheeses your family enjoy. Assemble cheddar cheese, apples and grapes, or mozzarella cheese, strawberries and pineapple. Make the snack as economical as possible by purchasing only fruit that is in season and blocks of cheese that can be cubed down to the correct size. Make a large batch of kabobs and refrigerate them in a sealed container for a healthy snack that is available anytime.
Raw Vegetables with Dip
Purchasing raw vegetables by the pound can be inexpensive, as long as you choose wisely. Include vegetables that feature a mixture of bright colors, such as cherry tomatoes and carrots, along with yellow, red and green peppers. Serve the vegetables alongside some low-fat ranch dressing for dipping.
Low-Fat Yogurt and Fresh Berries
Low-fat yogurt and fresh berries provide a healthy alternative to the traditional berries with whipped cream. Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries contain antioxidants the body uses to help prevent heart disease and cancer. For increased benefits for your heart, sprinkle some ground flaxseed over the top of the mixture.
Homemade Trail Mix
Making your own trail mix at home can give your family a healthy snack while saving you lots of money. Purchase some snack baggies and fill each with ½ cup of multi-bran cereal, a dozen almonds and 2 tbsp of dried fruit, such as cranberries. You can also add some raisins and toasted oat cereal. To cure a sweet tooth, add 1 tbsp. of chocolate chips to the mixture.
References
- "The Frugal Diet"; Michael J. Schiemer; 2010
- "The Student Cookbook: 200 Cheap and Easy Recipes for Food, Drinks and Snacks"; Nicotext; 2006
- "Snack Attack: Over 150 Guilt-Free Treats for Healthy Munching"; Ruth Glick; 2006
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