Being university students is fab. ASOS discounts, long lie-ins and, above all, it’s perfectly acceptable to drink at 2pm just because you’re in a ‘f*** it’ mood. But with the positives comes the reality that university life equals essay writing and long hours sitting at our desks, wondering if enough time has passed to have another tea and biscuit break. I don’t know about you but all the hours I spend stress snacking make me notice a vast difference in my size, shape and my body confidence. So I’ve decided to let you guys in on my favourite study snacks that help you maintain a more balanced diet.
1. Celery and Hummus.
This is a fab little study snack for the simple reason that celery is a negative calorie consumption. It takes more energy for your body to chew and process it than the number of calories celery contains. I personally love a wee bit of Moroccan hummus on top to add a little spice, but other alternatives are also a tasty treat (sneaky tip: peanut butter is the one). If you’re like my best friend and think celery is grim AF then, by all means, substitute for carrots or cucumber sticks for a bit of extra crunch.
2. Popcorn
Apart from the classic all-butter popcorn, the actual calorie content of popcorn is rather low. Swinging in at 87 Cals per serving it’s safe to say a wee bag of salted popcorn is a great gorging food for when the deadline creeps closer.
3. Grapes
Grapes are a great study snack for two reasons:
1. They’re 1 of your 5 a day (consumption in the form of wine doesn’t count, unfortunately)
2. They’re juicy and help to keep you hydrated alongside the pints of water you should also be chugging.
Don’t forget that grapes, although natural, have a high sugar content so remember to remember to give them teeth a solid scrub afterward
4. Granola
The fabulous thing about granola is there are such a variety of flavours you can turn too: chocolate, raspberry, blueberry (a superfood full of antioxidants) So whether you’re throwing a dollop of natural yoghurt on or just sticking your hand straight into the box, granola packs a great crunch and a healthy dose of fiber as well.
5. Dried fruits and nuts
A good source of protein to keep the brain function going, peanuts and dried fruits are a perfect swap for the sweetie jar as they last forever! Feel like going wild? Throw in some dried bananas, apricots, raisins for a pick and mix vibe.
So, there you have it guys, my top 5 foods to let you study snack without feeling guilty or too sluggish after you’ve demolished a share bar of Galaxy without sharing. I hope this helps you all out but remember everything is good for you in moderation so when the crisp cravings come calling don’t deny yourself the luxury. University can be stressful enough without the absence of salt and vinegar McCoys!