Stave off hunger and save money with these budget-friendly, dietitian-approved snacks.
Reviewed by Dietitian Casey Wing, RD, CD
Key Points
- Aldi offers budget-friendly, dietitian-approved snacks under $1 per serving, like almond butter and yogurt.
- These snacks, including nuts and string cheese, provide protein, fiber and healthy fats for sustained energy.
- Creative pairings, like hummus with veggies or yogurt with fruit, make healthy snacking easy and delicious.
Struggling to get enough fiber (most of us are!), boost your fruit and veggie intake or reach your protein goals? Adding the right snacks throughout your day can help you check off these boxes.
But let’s be honest—walking into some grocery stores and seeing price tags can make you tempted to abandon your grocery cart. Luckily, stepping into Aldi can feel like a sigh of relief for anyone trying to keep their grocery trip purchases within reason. With their budget-friendly prices and variety of options, it’s possible to stock up on nutritious snacks without blowing your budget.
To make your next shopping trip easier, we asked dietitians to help sift through all the snack options at Aldi and share their top picks for the healthiest snacks under $1 per serving.
Simply Nature Creamy Almond Butter
$3.85 per 12-ounce jar
Break out the celery sticks, apple slices or a piece of toast: Simply Nature Creamy Almond Butter is the ultimate dippable, nutty, stick-to-your teeth (and belly) snack dietitians say you should toss in your cart.
“A 12-ounce jar of creamy almond butter for only $3.85 is a total steal!” says Dana Angelo White, M.S., RD, ATC. With 11 servings per jar—2 tablespoons each—it costs only $0.35 per serving, perfect to satisfy multiple hungry snackers.
One (2-tablespoon) serving provides 200 calories, 18 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. This trio of nutrients supplies you with long-lasting staying power, helps stabilize blood sugar and may even help lower “bad” cholesterol, thanks to heart-healthy fats.
Enjoy it straight from the spoon, drizzle it over your favorite fruit or spread it on apples and sprinkle with shredded coconut to make apple “donuts.” You can also use almond butter to build other satisfying snacks like oat bars or smoothies.
Friendly Farms Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
$3.09 per 32-ounce tub
A tub of strained (Greek-style) yogurt is the ultimate blank canvas for snack time and a dietitian-approved staple. Aldi’s Friendly Farms Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt comes in a 32-ounce tub and supplies five servings for just $0.62 each.
Strained (Greek-style) yogurt provides protein, carbohydrates, calcium and probiotics, says Amy Kimberlain, M.S., RDN, LDN, CDCES. One ¾-cup serving supplies 90 calories and whopping 16 grams of protein. “The protein supports muscle maintenance, satiety and steady energy, while calcium is beneficial for bone health and muscle function, and the live cultures can help support digestive health,” explains Jenna Braddock, M.S.H., RDN, CSSD, LDN, CPT.
Because it’s unsweetened, this yogurt offers endless opportunities for snack creativity. Dress up your yogurt with cucumbers and a pinch of dill for a savory bowl, or add berries and nut butter for a sweet option. Toss it into smoothies for a protein and probiotic boost, or use it as a base for a sweet yogurt bark.
Simply Nature Raw Nuts
$4.65 per 8-ounce bag
Want to know the No. 1 snack you’ll almost always find in a dietitian’s bag? Nuts. They’re shelf-stable, easy to pack and full of satisfying nutrients. Aldi offers several convenient options, from tubs and bulk bags to single-serve packs, but Simply Nature Raw Cashews, Walnuts, and Macadamia Nuts keep it simple with just three raw nuts and nothing else.
Each 1-ounce serving provides 180 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. With 8 servings per container, each serving costs only $0.58.
“Raw nuts provide healthy fats, plant-based protein, fiber and key micronutrients like magnesium and vitamin E. These nutrients are beneficial because they promote fullness, help stabilize blood sugar and support long-term health,” says Braddock.
Go nuts—enjoy them by the handful, sprinkle over cottage cheese or build a charcuterie board with grapes and string cheese.
Happy Farms Light String Cheese
$3.45 for 12 sticks
Say cheese! String cheese isn’t just for kids—it’s a great portable, high-protein snack with plenty of benefits.
“Aldi’s Happy Farms String Cheese sticks provide quality protein and key micronutrients like calcium and vitamin B12, which support muscle maintenance, bone health and sustained energy,” says Braddock.
The 10-ounce package costs just over a quarter per stick, $0.29. One stick provides 50 calories and 6 grams of protein.
Kimberlain enjoys pairing string cheese with whole-wheat crackers (another dietitian-approved Aldi snack option): “This snack combo balances protein, fat, fiber and carbohydrates—helping to sustain energy—and is overall balanced. Add some cherry tomatoes and basil for a little caprese-style twist!” Or pair string cheese with fruit like an orange or dates.
Park Street Deli Red Pepper Hummus
$3.85 for 6 (2-ounce) cups
“Red Pepper Hummus Single Serve Mini Cups are a great way to enjoy fresh hummus at the office or on the move. A few carrots or pretzels for dipping and you have a satisfying snack,” says White.
Each 2-ounce cup contains just 100 calories and costs $0.64. Hummus is made with ground chickpeas, olive oil and roasted red bell peppers, providing you with a mix of fiber, plant-based protein and healthy fats for a satisfying snack combo.
It also happens to be one of the easiest ways to eat more veggies. Dunk in baby carrots, sliced cucumbers or mini bell peppers, or pair with whole-wheat pita squares.
Our Expert Take
Snacks offer the perfect midday break and opportunity to help you meet your nutrition goals. Aldi carries a wide selection of dietitian-approved snack options, from almond butters and strained (Greek-style) yogurt to raw nuts, string cheese and hummus. All of these options cost under $1 per serving, helping you save money while fueling your body with healthy fats, fiber and protein.
Comments are closed.