I can't take 100% credit for all of this as it was originally taken from an article I found in Glamour magazine but I'm going to add in a few ideas of my own. 

This is mainly aimed at the students and the new graduates among my friends but take what you will from it.

We are all guilty of heading to the shop around the corner to get a late night snack of chocolate, crisps or even super noodles. I'm going to write this to give you ideas of what to get as a healthy alternative that you won't feel guilty about I'm the morning. A feeling I know you have all had!

Do you want something quick? Something you can get together in a few minutes?

Go for eggs, you can make them in so many ways that all only take a few minutes to make. Even though it seems like hours when you're cooking them! Scrambled, fried, poached - all good, filling and healthy (except fried obviously) options, just go for wholemeal bread if you're going to have them with toast!

Do you need something filling? Something to keep you going for a while?

There are actually a few options for this, some tinned fish can be put with pretty much anything you want, maybe with pasta? Pulses were also suggested by the article, as a way to bulk up salads and soups to make them go a bit further. I'd also like to add in soups as well, every corner shop has a pretty good variety and they are pretty filling as well, especially if you add those pulses. 

Did you do a bit too much day drinking? Go to the pub at the end of the day and drank more than you should have?

DO NOT get that kebab or those 5 pieces of chicken and chips and all the sides that you are convincing yourself is a really good idea at the time. You will still wake up feeling just as bad or even worse if you eat it. Pick a bowl of cereal instead, it will probably sober you up quicker and you definitely won't wake up with that feeling that there is grease everywhere! And it's definitely more nutritional, so if you have the willpower to resist the please do! You will thank me in the morning :)

Do you just need a snack?

There are plenty of options to go for such as popcorn, fruit bread, crumpets, nuts or seeds. To be honest, there are plenty of things you can grab. If your local corner shop is a chain such as co-op or one stop, you can actually pick up some really good deals and find some great products.

First take this to see if you really are hungry.

The next bit I think I'll take straight from the article as it's pretty good.

So 3 healthy snacks that you might be surprised by:

Cheese strings - yes, they are typically a kids lunch box snack...but they're really high in calcium.

Peanut butter - this contains protein, fibre and B vitamins. Try it on some apple slices.

Beef jerky - personally I think it's an acquired taste, which I don't have! But it's relatively high in protein and low in fat, perfect or what?!

Cheap Clean Eating

As far as I'm aware, a lot of my readers are students or now graduates and obviously we aren't the richest of people! therefore, this ones for you...some ways to reduce your food bill and still eat clean.

It has been found that it is definitely more expensive to eat healthily and junk food is considerately cheaper. If you don't mind going for products that isn't the highest quality then you should go for the everyday value or basic products. I've always bought these where i can but I have definitely seen an improvement in the quality of these products and they aren't as bad as you think.

Obviously you wouldn't go out and buy all organic products as this would instantly double your food bill, even if you go for own brands and not as low as value products then you will still be reducing your food bill to a more affordable price.

When you are planning your meals to ensure that you eat a clean diet you don't need to have meat with every meal which will bring down the cost of your meals. Some good alternatives that are just as appetising are vegetable stir fry (easy on the sauce!) and obviously salads.

If you can't live without meat then just find different cuts that are cheaper or go to a local butcher who will know which are the cheaper ones and can give you advice on how to cook them properly as well.

Also take a trip to your local market to pick up some bargains there, you can typically get large bowls of fruit and vegetables for only a pound or two. It may not last as long as those that you buy from the supermarkets but if you are going to eat it all or most of it then you are definitely getting your moneys worth.

Often if you buy in bulk you would get more for your money so if you cook in bulk as well then you have those clean meals already made in the freezer. If you have a family then obviously this would be a bit more difficult as you will need to make a lot more food to put some aside in the freezer so it would be much easier to just make it as and when you need the meals.

Finding a cheaper supermarket to the one you already shop in is also an option. If you use supermarket.com, select the supermarket you wish to order from and fill up your basket then you can see which supermarket is cheapest and you could end up saving loads of money. Also if you order from Tesco or Asda then you can get your food delivered for as cheap as £1. By ordering your shopping online you won't be tempted by the junk food you may normally go for and only get 'clean' food.

Buying food is undeniably a high expense but unfortunately we can't live without it so if you can do little things to reduce your food bill then hopefully in the long term you will see the difference both financially and in yourself.