Cheap snack ideas - stop me buying crisps!

redsquirrel80

One of my biggest wastes of money comes from getting hungry at work and buying overpriced crisps from the canteen or local shop! I know it's not a huge expense but all those 50ps add up, and they're hardly the healthiest snack.. so I'm looking for some ideas from you inspiring lot for alternative cheap snack ideas to take in. I usually have some fruit and yoghurt with me but need something a bit more substantial (and preferably savoury), especially after I've been to the gym... any ideas very welcome!

vixtress

probably not too healthy but what about making up a batch of 'mini' pasties. you could fill them with veg and pretend they are healthy!
or oat cakes and cheese or a stuffed pitta bread.
bag of mixed dried fruit and nuts?

pavlovs_dog

peanut butter on crackers is one of my fave on the go pre/post gym snacks. bananas for slow energy release.

you can buy bags of popcorn kernals to pop at home and flavour as you please. if you do like crisps (and they're ok in moeration) why not buy a multipack to keep the cost down?

flapjacks or cereal bars are another option

kittycat07

I like to take in ritz crackers for days when I feel I ned a little salt. Ok prob not that good for you - but I never cook with salt and occasionally get a craving - and because I buy a big pack it works out cheaper than crisps.

Or a bag of grapes - much more healthy!

seashore321

I know it's boring but I used to do what you do and I put a stone on and then thought (apart from the cost this is ridiculous) cheap carrots sliced up with a garlic dip homemade preferably. Tub of creme fraiche and grate your own garlic or pineapple or cheese into it and it really is good. If you need salt then use Ritz (can I say that) and use them instead of carrots.

Grapes are great (but not cheap in the long run though cheaper than crisps and better for you).

Something else I love french stick with a cream cheese and slice of tomato on top and a drizzle of salt.

Dried fruit is lovely but can have a nasty effect on the amount of time you spend in the ladies if your not carefull!!!???

lil_me

http://www.wheatfoods.org/Whole-Wheat-Flour-Tortillas.154.1.htm

Could make your own tortilla chips, basically follow that recipe then cut them into slices and bake for a bit longer in the oven.

Either that or make the tortillas into wraps of course

plantpot100

NUTS!!

Mixed nuts & raisin assortment from Tesco is quite cheap - Also filling and satisfying. But take in a ration every day - Not the whole bag...They are very moorish!

Or even cheaper - Monkey nuts and quite good fun to break into...(god, i worry about myself sometimes!).

redsquirrel80

Thanks everyone for the ideas - I'm pretty good at making lunches to take in (plus fruit) but have been very uninspired when it came to snacky bits! Will definitely be giving some of them a go - especially like the sound of the tortilla chips and the creme fraiche dip.. just gonna have to go armed with lots of containers and take over the office fridge aren't I?

lil_me

You can get the split containers, which you could use probably easier for things with dips etc.

reehsetin

plantpot100 wrote: »

NUTS!!

Mixed nuts & raisin assortment from Tesco is quite cheap - Also filling and satisfying. But take in a ration every day - Not the whole bag...They are very moorish!

Or even cheaper - Monkey nuts and quite good fun to break into...(god, i worry about myself sometimes!).

^exactly what my mum does, makes a big jar of mixed nuts and fruit and fills up a little jar in the car/office
ive got a sweet tooth so have replaced nibbling on sweets, with dried fruit, best ive found is small dried pineapple chunks, theyre lovely and sweet

thriftlady_2

Home made munchy seeds

I make these a lot

2 cups of sunflower seeds (that's US cup measures -use 2 teacupfuls)
1 tbsp of oil -any kind
1 tbsp of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce

mix all together in alarge roasting tin and bake for 30 mins at 170 degrees C.
Stir every 10 mins or so.

Store in an airtight container.

Obviously you can use different seeds and experiment with the flavourings adding spices or garlic salt.

Much cheaper than the Lakeland ones and just as good.