According to the 2008 Food and Health Survey, 94% of Americans snack at least once a day. However, many of us snack on relatively expensive, high calorie, nutrition poor foods like chocolate chip cookies, Twinkies, potato chips, and fruit roll-ups. There are healthier and cheaper alternatives for those in between meal snacks.

Hard boiled eggs. Boiled eggs make a great snack. Just take a few minutes to boil 5 or 6, then stick them in the refrigerator for a future snack. However, eat in moderation as the yolk centers are extremely high in cholesterol.

Raisin bread toast. Raisin bread toast provides a great snack food crunch, but with a little added sweetness from the raisins. Forget the national brands of raisin breads and select the store brand. The store brand tastes just as good for less money. For even better savings, stop by a bakery outlet and pick up a couple of loaves of raisin bread. Contrary to popular belief, these outlets sell fresh bakery products.

Carrots. Carrots also provide a great snack food crunch. A one pound bag of carrots can be purchased for around a buck and a carrot takes less than 30 seconds to peel. If you like your carrots pre-peeled, then considered peeled baby carrots. Although a little more expensive, they taste great and actually can become quite addictive. Want a little change, dip your carrots in some salad dressing. Be careful with carrots and small children though, as they can pose a real choking hazard.

Raisins. Raisins make a great healthy snack. But forget those little snack size boxes and save money by purchasing larger containers of raisins. Don’t be afraid of store brand raisins. In Chicago, for example, you can purchase a large 1.5 pound container of store brand raisins for a little over three dollars, about the same price as a box of Fruit Roll-ups. These store brand raisins are just as plump and juicy as Sun-Maid raisins.

Air Popped Popcorn. Popcorn is healthy snack. We’re not talking about those expensive packages of microwave popcorn full of salt and artificial flavors. Its seems that with the popularity of microwave popcorn, we’ve lost the art of making popcorn the old fashion way.  Bags of popcorn kernels can be purchased quite cheaply and popped in  air popcorn poppers found at Target or Walgreens for around $15 – $20. Alternatively, cook popcorn on the stove top. Coat the bottom of the pan with oil, add your popcorn and cover. When you hear the corn start to pop, remove it from the burner and allow the popcorn to continue to pop.

Cucumber Slices. Large cucumbers can be purchased for 65 to 80 cents a piece, about the same price as a candy bar! For a little added punch soak the cucumber slices in a small diluted bowl of apple vinegar.

Apple Slices. Apples can be purchased relatively cheaply. Apple slices, like carrots and cucumbers, give you a great snack food crunch. Soak your apple slices in some orange juice or spread a small amount of peanut butter on your slices for some variety.

Pudding. Pudding makes for a delicious snack. But avoid those cute little plastic snack packs. Instead chose the cheaper option. Pick up a box of instant pudding mix. It takes only minutes to create pudding with these instant mixes. You do have to wait while your pudding gets cold in the refrigerator, but your reward is a great nutritious snack.

Bananas. These snacks come in their own environmentally friendly packaging. They are a little more expensive, commonly found at 70 cents to 90 cents per pound, but you can find them much cheaper at stores like Trader Joes, Aldi’s, or at ethnic food markets where the price can be as low as 50 cents per pound. If you find your bananas getting brown at home, remember that they can be turned into delicious smoothies.

You don’t have to ruin your budget to provide great nutritious snacks. Not only are these snacks healthier, but they’re also less expensive than many processed junk foods. Do you have a great cheap and healthy food tip? Let us know. Leave a comment below.

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Why pay for expensive filet-mignon when you can enjoy an equally succulent, tender steak at a bargain basement price?  Thanks to the folks at the University of Florida and University of Nebraska its now possible due to the creation of a new steak called the Flat Iron Steak.

This cut of meat comes from deep within the shoulder muscle of the cow.  In the past, it was ground up to be used for hamburgers. The problem – a piece of connective tissue ran right through the middle of this cut of meat making it tough to chew.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board in conjunction with the University of Florida and University of Nebraska, developed a new method for removing this tough connective tissue, leaving behind the tender flat iron steak. Flat iron steak is now considered to be the second most tender cut of beef.

Flat iron steak is a highly marbled, versatile piece of meat  which can be cooked by a variety of methods. Not only does it taste delicious on its own, but it can also be used as the meat component for other dishes.

Next time you’re in the mood for a rich, succulent steak, don’t pay $20 per pound for filet-mignon, try flat iron steak at the relatively bargain price of $3-$5 per pound.