Swapping To Healthy Snacks on a Budget: How to Snack Better

We are going to give you some tips on Swapping To Healthy Snacks on a Budget: How to Snack Better! Between everyone's New Year Resolutions to getting healthy, the rising costs of groceries across the USA, and so many people working the gig economy and always on the move, eating healthy has become more important than ever.

You meal prep, eat a balanced diet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and exercise regularly, but your weight goals aren’t just where you want them to be. You’re not getting leaner or stronger. Do you know what the culprit could be? It could be the snacks you eat. Snacks seem to be an afterthought in most people’s clean eating schedules.

Snack board of cheese, crackers, honey, fresh fruit and pretzels

Swapping To Healthy Snacks on a Budget: How to Snack Better

You’re not alone if you close an eye on what you put into your mouth for snacking. Many people seem to disregard the significance the differences that snacking effects your overall diet. The thought of ‘Oh, it’s just a small amount’ seems to trick the mind into thinking it’s ok to eat whatever you want as a snack, just if it’s in small quantities.

But here’s the thing. What you snack on and how much you snack daily can wreak havoc on your meal plan. So, how do you overcome this problem? By cleaning out your fridge and pantry and swapping unhealthy snacks with healthier options.

Here are a few pointers on how you can transition your snacking habits:

Empty your fridge and pantry of unhealthy food

Food intake plays a huge role in getting into a healthy diet, and the number one temptation is what you already have in your fridge and kitchen. So do a kitchen cleanse! Get rid of all your snacks that are high in sugar and carbs. Look for local food pantries in your area so that you can donate them and they don't go to waste.

Gradually decrease the number of carbs in your subsequent grocery lists like candy, chocolate, bread and pasta, rice, and carbonated drinks. You are much better prepared once all these temptations have been removed from your home.

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Read the Nutrition Labels of your snack foods

When buying your groceries, read the labels and stock up your pantry and fridge with healthy goodness that you can use to create snacks and desserts quickly and easily, such as chocolate protein balls, crudites, oatmeal bars, smoothies, and mousse.

Stock up on Keto Snacks and Low Carb Snacks

If you’re finding it hard to swap your pantry or fridge with healthy snacks, one way to load up on delicious yet protein-rich snacks is to make keto snacks. Keto snacks are an excellent way to indulge when you are feeling hungry. So, before you crave a bag of potato chips, prepare these snacks for a healthy snack alternative:

Peanut Butter or Cream Cheese and celery sticks- Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on celery sticks! You have an excellent and fast snack with these combos!
Walnuts & Almonds- Get organic nuts and almonds, as these are a great source of healthy fats and fiber.
String Cheese- Snacking cannot get any easier than this.
Kale Chips- wash and dry your kale leaves. Spread them on a baking sheet, drizzle olive oil over them, and add a generous sprinkle of sale. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees and have delicious and healthy kale chips bursting with nutrients.

Load up on healthy nuts

Unsalted nuts and seeds are one of the easiest ways to have great snacks. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, and even pine nuts all come with a long list of beneficial nutrients. Unlike chips or pretzels, nuts and seeds leave you feeling full. You can toast them and add some cocoa nibs for a grab-and-go snack. You can also sprinkle this combo on fruits, yogurt, or some sorbet. Just be careful to go easy on nuts and seeds because they have lots of calories.

A crystal bowl full of pistachios, cashews and almonds

Learn how to Snack mindfully

The times when we do snack is when we’re doing something such as watching TV or working on our desk. Some people snack as a coping mechanism to stop thinking about something else or because they are bored. Snacking mindfully may be the hardest to do because it takes practice and discipline. This starts with mindfully snacking. So instead of snacking when you’re doing something, stop. Stop what you’re doing for a few minutes and enjoy your snack time and snacks the same way you do a small meal.

Drink something instead of eating

Drinking fruit juices, smoothies and coffee is a great way to alternate eating snacks. This is an excellent alternative if you are craving something but don’t want to eat anything sugary or high in carbs. Make yourself a low-fat, low-sugar smoothie, or get freshly pressed juice to curb your sugar craving.

Drinking one or two cups of coffee also help to prevent unnecessary snacking. If you plan to have a cup of coffee as an alternative to eating snacks, make sure you make yourself a cup of coffee from freshly ground beans, not instant coffee. You can buy roasted coffee beans online to stock up your pantry and make things even more convenient for you.

Meal prep your snacks

Here are four rules to keep in mind when prepping snacks:

Include protein and fiber

It isn’t just about sweet things when you prep healthy snacks—your objective of a snack is to keep your body system going until the next meal. Snacks high in fiber and protein will keep you full so avoid sugary snacks that will make you feel cranky and fat.

Portion your snacks

Whether it is cheese, nuts, crackers, or even veggie sticks- your snacks must also be portioned out. A handful of snacks is an excellent eyeball to follow so that you do not end up having a snack fest. Remember, the idea here is to snack mindfully and be mindful of the proportions.

Keep them visible and available.

Meal prepping is also about organizing and keeping things visible so your mind knows the kind of food you have. So, the next time you are hungry, your body automatically reaches out for that food item. Keep your healthy meal-prepped snacks in a visible area, so your mind knows that is what’s available to eat.

Keep them simple

Like meal prepping dinner, lunch, and breakfast, snacks must be simple. Keep it simple, so you do not need an entire day to meal prep just for snacks.