While being in college, it is easy to eat a lot of junk food. We are always “on the go,” and we may not have the most money. However, there are some easy ‘’do it yourself’’ snacks to bring to class, eat for lunch, or enjoy whenever that won’t break the bank or your stomach!
DIY Spinach Chips (An alternative to potato chips)
I would have never enjoyed something like this, but I promise it tastes delicious!
You’ll need:
Baby spinach leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. While that is heating up, start off by washing and drying your spinach thoroughly. Cover any pan of your choice with tin foil, and place your spinach leaves on the pan. Dust the leaves with olive oil on both sides. (You could also put the leaves in a bag with the oil and shake it up!) Now use some salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any seasoning of your choice. Once your oven is preheated, start out with the leaves in for about five minutes, but keep checking! They crisp up fast. (I liked mine a little well done.) This snack will definitely quench your need for some salt!
Easiest snack ever.. Yogurt and Grapes.
How is something so easy, so good?!
You’ll need:
Yogurt of your choice (I used fat free vanilla yogurt from Publix)
Grapes
Wash your grapes thoroughly. Take one cup of yogurt (or more, it is up to you) and a handful of grapes. There are Tupperware containers meant for snacks like these. (I like to leave the grapes and yogurt separated and mix them myself.) Could it get any easier or tastier?
DIY Chips and Fruit Salsa
Yes we are making the chips too!
For the salsa you’ll need:
Apples
Oranges
Strawberries
Cinnamon
Sugar
The amount of fruit you want to use is completely up to you, so are the fruits you choose. (These are my favorites.) Start by cutting up your fruit into small chunks, and place them in a mixing bowl. Then put about a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon in with the fruit and mix well. Pack, and go!
For the chips you’ll need:
Whole wheat tortilla
Butter flavored cooking spray
Cinnamon
Sugar
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Cut the tortilla into small triangles. (I find it easiest to use a pizza cutter.) Put them on a foil covered pan and lightly spray them with the cooking spray. Then mix together equal parts of cinnamon and sugar, depending on how many chips you are making and sprinkle that mixture on the chips (If you do too much, just shake it off!). Cook the tortillas for about six minutes, and they will be nice and crispy!
Enjoy! ☺
Maybe you are looking for more a lunch you could make for yourself? I’ve got it.
Peanut Butter and Apple Wrap
You’ll need:
Apple
Peanut butter
Whole wheat tortilla
Cut up the apple into tiny chunks. Spread a thin and even amount of peanut butter on your tortilla. Sprinkle the apple evenly over the tortilla. Wrap it up, cut in half, stuff t in a sandwich carriers and you are on your way!
Not so handy in the kitchen? I always find some interesting healthy snacks at Publix. I usually buy them when they are “buy one get one free” or “2 for $5.”
Cascadian Farm granola bars only have seven ingredients and they don’t taste like dirt. They are sweet and are a great snack between classes. Another great snack is the Horizon snack crackers, cheddar flavored. This is an organic snack that tastes just like Gold Fish. I’ll take it!
Eating well and quick is possible in college. All it takes is a little planning ☺
Have fun and be full!
All photos and recipes are by Marla Cooper.