When you’re trying to eat healthier foods and cut back on the junk, your budget can sometimes appear to be a major hindrance to your goals. After all, everything in that vending machine at work costs about a dollar or less. When mid-afternoon hunger strikes, what could be easier and more convenient than cheap food from a machine?

But you know that bag of chips or candy bar isn’t good for you. Cheap snacks are usually loaded with calories and devoid of real nutrition. If your budget is making it difficult for you to maintain your healthy eating goals, try some of these cheap snacks that cost less than a dollar.

• String cheese – These handy snacks are individually wrapped, cost 25 cents to one dollar per serving, and they’re packed with calcium and protein.
• Yogurt – this is another terrific snack that you can purchase in perfectly portioned, individual containers. The calcium and protein are good for you, and your tummy will appreciate the helpful probiotics.
• Fruit – fruit is full of healthy vitamins and fiber, naturally sweet, and super convenient. Most of the time all you have to do is peel and eat! That’s just as simple as anything in that vending machine.
• Hummus with veggies – dip your favorite veggies in hummus, which is full of protein and heart-healthy oils. And of course, the veggies are good for you, too!
• Nuts – you’ll want to go easy on these, because they can pack a lot of calories, but nuts such as roasted almonds contain healthy fatty acids and are quite filling to boot.
• Popcorn – this is a truly “whole grain” food, and it’s super easy to make. Keep in mind that some experts have expressed concern over the chemicals released from microwave popcorn; it might be better to make your own at home, using olive oil, and bring a baggy of the snack to work with you.

The above snacks are just examples, but will hopefully give you some good ideas for cheap and convenient snacks. There’s no need to ruin your healthy eating goals just because you’re busy or on a tight budget! With a little extra planning, you can stock the break room fridge with healthy, affordable options. Just remember to claim your goodies by writing your name on a Post-It note and attaching it to your snacks. Some of your coworkers might believe in the “unclaimed snacks are up for grabs” rule!