With finals coming up in a few weeks, we’ll all be locked in our rooms, the library or wherever you like to study and chances are, we’ll want some snacks to munch on. Even without thinking about finals, we all have those times where we’re craving something, but maybe don’t want to go for that unhealthy bag of chips. So for all of your snack cravings, here are some healthier options.
Cucumbers and Hummus or Peanut Butter
Cucumbers are made up mostly of water and contain a high amount of Vitamin C. Instead of grabbing pita chips or crackers to enjoy with your hummus, go for sliced cucumbers. Or, if you’re not into hummus and don’t have a nut allergy, go for a little bit of peanut or sesame seed butter. Either combination is delicious.
Roasted Chickpeas
If you’re in the mood for something crunchy, go for roasted chickpeas. You can either buy them from the store or make your own. The best part is, they’re completely customizable. If you’re in the mood for something on the sweeter end, drain a can of garbanzo beans, rinse them thoroughly, dry them with a paper towel, and then coat them lightly in cinnamon and stevia (or any other sweetener of your choice). If you want something salty, follow the same steps as before, but sprinkle them with cracked sea salt. Or, go for a spicy combo with some cayenne or red pepper flakes! Once they’re coated, pop them onto a baking sheet and put them into an oven at 450° F and bake them for around 30-40 minutes or until they’re browned and crunchy. Let them cool, and enjoy!
Nice Cream
We all experience that craving for ice cream, but what if you could have it and not feel guilty afterwards? To make nice cream, take a banana or two (depending on how much you’re making), peel it, and then freeze it in a ziplock bag or container. Once it’s frozen, blend it until smooth and creamy. Feel free to add some vanilla extract, peanut butter, or cocoa powder when blending for different flavors. Bananas are loaded with health benefits and are a delicious, sweet snack option. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed if you try this!
Apple Nachos
My roommates and I tried these for the first time a few weeks ago and they were so tasty! Take your favorite kind of apple and slice them up and scatter them on a dish. Drizzle them with a little bit of caramel or peanut butter and top them with a few mini chocolate chips or cocao nibs. If you want, you can even add sea salt for a salted caramel flavor! Enjoy!
Frozen Yogurt Bites
These are perfect for snacking if you have a sweet tooth. Take some Greek yogurt, add in some honey or stevia, and then feel free to customize it. You can add in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or whatever kind of fruit you like most. Feel free to also try dried fruit or pumpkin seeds. Like all of the other recipes, the best part about them is that once you know the base, you can pick and choose what you like so they’re slightly different every time. Once you have your mixture of things together, put them into an ice cube tray or cupcake liners and freeze them. You can even top them with some granola for a crunch. Once they’re frozen, pop them out of the mold and enjoy!