Social media really has a strong hold on its consumers. Something can be promoted one day, and the next, that product just HAS to be had in order for someone to be considered healthy. These must-have foods come in constant waves. Lately you can’t scroll on social media for more than two minutes without seeing a promotion for some type of food product that is branded to be optimal for one’s health. In reality, they are just average foods that are value-added because they are made for on-the-go-snacking. With a little effort, you can avoid these extra costs and make your own at home. These products aren’t the untapped source of wellness, they are merely portrayed to be that way.
The companies that sell these products promote the misconception that healthy eating is expensive. With some clever branding and marketing, they inflate the price of their product – and it’s working. The convenience they provide can easily be avoided by planning ahead and prepping. I’m going to walk you through some of my favorite, and inexpensive, healthy snack ideas!
A popular protein bar, GoMacro bar, averages 10g of protein, 11g of sugar, and 37g of carbs per bar. The simple and cheap snack of a hard-boiled egg with a cheese stick has about 11.3g of protein, less than 1g of sugar, and about 2g of carbs combined. For about $3, you can have a GoMacro bar or for about $.75 you could have the egg and cheese. Although the latter may not be an optimal post-workout snack due to its lack of carbohydrates, this simple comparison still shows that you can obtain enough protein without having to consume overpriced brand name foods. Although sometimes the convenience is worth the price, you can avoid the high-costs of branded health foods by preparing your own snacks and meals. Another benefit of prepping your own foods is that you can personalize it to any flavor you prefer, and you know exactly what ingredients you are consuming. Here are some simple ideas to consider:
1. Hard Boiled Eggs: Hard boil 6 eggs ahead of time so you don’t have to boil them every time you are craving them, and you can avoid the hefty price of convenience.
2. An Apple and Peanut Butter: Apples are easy to buy and stay fresh for around one to two months in the fridge. Instead of overpaying for pre-portioned peanut butter snacks, you can put a scoop of peanut butter you already have into a reusable container. Pair them together and you are on your way to a satisfying, healthy, and inexpensive snack!
3. Granola Bars: Making homemade granola bars are actually a lot easier than you would think. With a simple online search, you can find hundreds of customizable recipes (The Minimalist Baker has a SUPER simple homemade granola bar recipe made with just 5 ingredients!). Make a batch at the beginning of the week so you can grab one on your way out the door every morning! Plus, you can customize them to whatever flavor you enjoy!
4. Oats: Having personal microwavable oatmeal cups may seem convenient but paying upwards of $3 for a single serving is a bit ridiculous if you ask me. You can portion out what you need into a microwave-safe container ahead of time from the oats you purchase in bulk. The best place option is to support local but the easiest is purchasing (non-GMO) bulk oats through Amazon. That way, when you are in a rush, you can grab the cup instead.
5. Hummus: If you own a food processor – or have a generous friend that will let you borrow theirs – you can make your own hummus. A pre-made container is easy to grab, but whipping up your own batch can make double at half the price. By planning ahead, you’ll have a stash to snack on without having to fork over everything in your wallet to health brands.
By doing some simple research, you can educate yourself on what you should be looking for when doing your grocery shopping and prepping. If you can’t seem to find success, consider seeing a registered dietician. They can teach you so much, and may even walk you through the grocery store to show you some options!
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