Smart Cookies

Cheap and Healthy Snacks

Inexpensive, healthy foods can keep both your diet and budget on track if you know what to buy.  Fast foods, that are high in sugar and salt offer too many calories and chemicals to spend your hard earned dollars on.  So here are each of our favorite snacks for under $5 and around 100 calories.

365 Strawberry Frozen Fruit Bars – Katie’s Fave
(Brand sold at Whole Foods and Capers stores)
Cost:  $3.65- $4.00
Calories: 110 per 118 ml bar
The Skinny:  A 5 month pregnant and overheated cookie loves these 100 calorie frozen treats because they keep her cool and contain no chemical ingredients. Just lots of delicious fruit.  According to Katie, “these bars are actually bigger than your typical popsicle and cost less than a dollar each.  I have yet to find an equally cheap healthy snack that can even compare!”

Kellogg’s Special K Protein Shake French Vanilla – Andrea’s Fave
Cost: $6 for 4
Calories:  180 per shake
The Skinny:  Andrea is one active cookie these days.   Hiking, running and working up a sweat.  She used to make her own protein shakes but found the cost of powders and fruit were costing her a small fortune.  She recently discovered these premade shakes with extra  protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.  According to Andrea, “I am prone to having my blood sugar drop quickly after I exercise.  So drinking one of these shakes before a workout really takes the edge off. “

Seedless Navel Oranges – Sandra’s Fave
Cost:  $4.28 for 2 kilo bag
Calories:  70-80 per orange (depending on size)
The Skinny:  Packed full of vitamin C and easy to pack away in your purse.  Sandra loves a good orange on the go.  “It’s shocking to me that you can get a huge bag of oranges for under $5 and they will last me for weeks.”

Scrambled Eggs – Angela’s Fave
Cost:  $3.00/ dozen (less for non organic)
Calories:  180 calories (depending on size of 2 eggs)
The Skinny:  While it’s not the kind of snack you can take on the go.  If eggs are not a staple in your weekly grocery shop, Angela contends they should be.  Not only chalked full of protein, scrambled eggs are simple to make, easy to spice up with vegetables  or a bit of cheese and take less than 5 minutes to make from scratch.  “ I don’t limit myself to just having eggs for breakfast.  Sometimes after work if I don’t feel like making a whole dinner for myself, a plate of scrambled eggs and salsa really hit the spot.”  

Kashi TLC Snack Cracker Packs Original 7 Grain- Robyn’s Fave
Cost-  $3 for 6
Calories:  130 calories per bag
The Skinny:  Robyn loves a savory snack, but made a pledge this year to stop eating deep fried foods- including potatoes chips.  Robyn loves these TLC treats because they are made of whole-grain and are flavorful and not overly dry.  “As an alternative to chips I think these are a great buy for under $1 a bag, and they are pre- proportioned so you don’t eat as many.”