Surprising Fitness Things You Can Buy With Food Stamps
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5 Fitness Foods You Can Buy With EBT on Amazon
Use your SNAP EBT card to purchase eligible foods on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, or Whole Foods Market online (in select regions).
Amazon is a Convenient EBT Shopping Destination
In the past, SNAP benefits could only be used at physical grocery stores. However, with the rise of online shopping, major retailers like Amazon now accept electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for a variety of purchases. You might be surprised to learn what you can buy with your EBT card on Amazon. According to the USDA, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase items in categories such as:
- Fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products
- Breads, cereals, canned vegetables, and pantry staples
- Other foods like snacks, seeds, and non-alcoholic beverages
While these are the general guidelines, there are some unexpected fitness-related items that you can buy with EBT on Amazon. Here are five of them, listed from cheapest to most expensive:
1. Protein Bars
Before the Keto diet, there was the Atkins diet, which was one of the first low-carb weight loss strategies. Some of the Atkins "Endulge" and protein meal bars qualify as food on Amazon. You can enjoy flavors like strawberry cheesecake, nutty fudge brownie, and vanilla pecan crisp. Not all bars are SNAP eligible, so double-check before purchasing.
2. Energy Drinks
When you need a quick boost, energy drinks like Monster, Bang and others can be purchased with your EBT card on Amazon.
3. Meal Replacement Shakes
Meal replacement shakes are useful for various reasons, from illness to dieting. These shakes are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them qualify as food and SNAP eligible.
4. Protein Powder
Depending on how protein powder is classified (as a food or a supplement), you can use your EBT card to purchase it on Amazon. Make sure the protein powder is sold as a food and labeled as SNAP eligible.
5. Weight Loss Supplements
Amazon offers a great selection of EBT-eligible weight loss products. These products are often considered meal replacements, and their prices range from around $10 to $40 or more.
In addition to these fitness foods, Amazon also accepts EBT for other products like seeds and plants. However, there are some items that you cannot buy with SNAP on Amazon, such as alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, live animals (with a few exceptions), hot foods, and non-food items like pet food or cleaning supplies.
Since Amazon started accepting EBT, they have expanded their offerings to include thousands of products that are hard to find elsewhere. It's a convenient and easy way to shop with food stamps, thanks to the user-friendly checkout and home delivery process.
What You Can't Buy With SNAP on Amazon
Just like any other store, there are items that you cannot purchase with SNAP benefits on Amazon. These include:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements (unless labeled as a food)
- Live animals (except for shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before store pick-up)
- Hot foods
- Non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, household supplies, hygiene items, or cosmetics
In conclusion, maximizing your SNAP benefits on Amazon can help you make the most of your budget. Explore the wide range of fitness foods and other eligible items available on Amazon and enjoy the convenience of online shopping.
The Bottom Line
Hope this list helped you discover how to maximize your gains and your SNAP benefits on Amazon.
Disclaimer: This information is based on previous guidelines and policies. Please refer to the latest USDA guidelines and Amazon's EBT program details for the most up-to-date information.