How to Eat Healthy on a Budget #4: Make your own snacks

There has been an explosion of single-serving snacks in recent years and you can find just about everything from chips to cookies to cereal in a pre-packaged form. 100 calorie snack packs are a lifesaver for those trying to lose weight because they take the guess work out of portion sizes. However, this convenience comes with a cost because these packs are often much more expensive than an equivalent item purchased in a larger package. While portion control is a great thing, you don't need to pay the extra money for it.

Follow these tips on how to save money on snacks for you and your family:

• Buy your snacks in a regular size or bulk quantity. Look at the nutritional value and serving size and pre-portion your snacks in snack size resealable plastic bags.
• Make a family decision to choose just one treat from the not-so-healthy category and buy just one large bag for the week - and once it's gone, it's gone. Most of the processed snack foods are expensive and typically provide little to no nutritional punch.
• Cut down on the number of snacks you buy in general. By eating more filling, fiber-rich foods at your core meal times, you won't need as many snacks to satisfy you throughout the day.

Check out these 100 calorie snack ideas that will fight hunger off and satisfy your cravings:

• Half a small apple with 2 teaspoons peanut butter (save the other half of the apple for later and squeeze lemon juice over it so it doesn't get brown!)
• Ten almonds or cashews
• Half a small avocado
• 4 mini rice cakes with 2 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese
• Raw vegetables with 1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing
• Small baked potato with 1/2 cup salsa and 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
• Fifteen strawberries dipped in 1/4 cup Cool Whip Lite

• 45 steamed edamame
• 2 tablespoons mashed avocado with 2 tablespoons chopped tomato in a small whole wheat pita
• Half a red bell pepper dipped n 3 tablespoons hummus
• 6 ounces plain fat-free yogurt with 1/3 cup fresh raspberries
• Hard boiled egg and a slice of Melba toast
• 4 slices low-fat honey ham rolled in a lettuce leaf with 2 teaspoons honey mustard
• 1 slice toasted raisin bread with 1 teaspoon light butter
• Half a small bagel with 1 ounces smoked salmon
• Celery with 1 tablespoons peanut butter or light cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons water-packed tuna with 1 teaspoon light mayonnaise and onion powder
• 10 jelly beans

You can also make this homemade cereal recipe. It is a little higher in calories, but packs in a ton of healthy nutrients from the natural ingredients.

Homemade Cereal Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Ready In: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 7 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup wheat bran
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup flaked coconut (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix oats, wheat germ and wheat bran.
3. In a medium bowl, blend brown sugar, oil, honey and water. Mix in vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir the brown sugar mixture into the oat mixture until evenly moist and transfer to a large, shallow baking dish.
4. Bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until lightly brown. Mix dates, pecans and coconut into the dish and continue baking about 15 minutes. Allow to cool and store in airtight containers.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 315

Total Fat: 13.4 g

Dietary Fiber: 6.6 g