but real food is so expensive! {snacks}

Right?! Real food is expensive. Processed food is cheap. But at what cost? Today I’m going to give you some inexpensive, healthy snack foods and bring to light that healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive. Double bonus is that healthy food will keep you full & satisfied longer than processed food. I’ll be focusing on snacks this time, so hopefully it’ll also help those of you with little ones in school. One note – don’t be afraid of carbs if they’re from natural sources like fruit. Yes, they can still cause an insulin response, however it’s much better than the alternative with what processed sugars (or artificial sugars) do to your body.

Apples

fat 0 / protein 0 / carbs 7 / fiber 1
price per serving: $0.60 for organic

Apples are a great satiating food and kids love the crunch. Plus the phytonutrients in apples can help regulate blood sugar. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away…”

Bananas

fat 0 / protein 1 / carbs 29 / fiber 3
price per serving: $0.10 / $0.20 for organic

We love bananas – they travel easily and are higher in fiber. Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6, soluble fiber, and contain moderate amounts of vitamin C, manganese and potassium. At just 10 cents a serving, you can’t find a snack much better than this. Inexpensive and full of good stuff.

Almonds

fat 17 / protein 6 / carbs 6 / fiber 4
price per serving: $0.47

Almonds are a nutritionally dense food and is a rich source of vitamin E. They are also rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, essential minerals such as magnesium, copper, manganese, calcium, and potassium.

Carrots

fat 0 / protein 1 / carbs 8 / fiber 2
price per serving: $0.34 for organic

Baby carrots contain β-carotenes which are partly metabolised into vitamin A in humans – helping with vision. Plus kids just love them because they’re small and cute and crunchy.

Raisins

fat 0 / protein 1 / carbs 31 / fiber 2
price per serving: $0.33

I have to admit that raisins have become one of my favorite treats. I get them in bulk at Earth Fare because they’re plump and juicy. Raisins are also high in certain antioxidants. Bonus.

Fruit Stripes

fat 0 / protein 0 / carbs 16 / fiber 1
price per serving: $0.42

These would not be my first choice for a “healthy” snack but I think they’re a great alternative to other fruit snacks with artificial colors and preservatives. Try to find fruit stripes with few ingredients and only fruit if you can.

Unsweetened Applesauce

fat 0 / protein 0 / carbs 13 / fiber 1
price per serving: $0.42

Sprinkle on some cinnamon for a nice fall snack (or any time really). I’d recommend a whole apple instead, but for those who can’t yet eat an apple or that want a softer snack, unsweetened organic applesauce is a great choice.

String Cheese

fat 6 / protein 6 / carbs <1 / fiber 0
price per serving: $0.28

We all love string cheese. It’s high in calcium and is fun to eat. My kids like to make an octopus out of theirs.