I know people always argue that a healthy lifestyle isn’t expensive if you focus on home-cooked foods and avoid high-end convenience snacks and trend-foods, and that’s completely true. I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for snacks and new products, though, and now that I’m a mama I’ve been reaching for snacks more frequently than ever – partly because they’re convenient and quick and partly because breastfeeding makes me hungry as hell. Since we’re on a budget, I’m always trying to hunt down items that won’t break the bank, but are interesting enough to keep me from getting bored. With this in mind, I’m starting a new series where I’ll feature budget-friendly/0n-sale items that are currently available in shops.

For this first post, I’m featuring a load of products I found in Aldi. I used to be a bit of an Aldi snob because, in my part of Germany, Aldi is kind of gross. But after my sister-in-law kept recommending it, I finally got myself to set foot into our local store and, surprise, it’s actually really well-stocked, has a good selection of fresh produce and appears to have an expanding selection of health and whole foods. Exciting.

This week, I picked up four little packets of trail mix, which they sell in a few different varieties. A word of caution: they look like single serving packets, but actually contain just under three portions… I still eat a whole one in one go, because I have no self control, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!

I also bought some stevia-and-lactitol sweetened chocolate with quinoa crisps. This is amazing, almost like a vegan toblerone and I hope it will become part of their regular range, as it was a special buy. Don’t eat the whole bar though, lactitol can act as a laxative and your tummy might end up being rather unhappy!

Trek Bars and Bounce Energy Balls were also a recent special buy and, at least in our shop, are currently on sale. I keep stocking up when I go in! Not all varieties of the energy balls are vegan, though, so check the ingredients to make sure there isn’t any whey protein.

Finally, these Chilli Rice Snacks are a fantastic crisp alternative and I adore them. I’m not even ashamed, I’m genuinely excited about a glorified rice cake. These will definitely be landing in my trolley again. And again. And again.

What are your favourite budget healthy(ish) snacks, and where do you buy them? Let me know in the comments!