During these winter months it can be extremely difficult to stay in shape. Classes go on forever, it’s freezing outside, and all you ever want to do is curl up in bed after a long day and eat the most comforting, yet unhealthiest food available. But New Years resolutions are in full affect, and with spring break right around the corner, it’s time to back away from the 3rd chocolate bar of the day and find better options!
Here are some healthy and yummy dorm snacks that will satisfy your hunger after a long day, without ruining your resolutions and hopes of a bikini ready body:
1. Hummus and Veggies
Hummus and veggies is always a go to for me when the usual afternoon snack attack hits because it’s filling and tasty. I am personally a fan of dipping baby carrots in hummus, but celery and peppers are great, healthy options as well. You can even mix it up with different hummus flavors if you aren’t really into the original flavor.
2. Peanut Butter and Fruit
If you aren’t a hummus and veggies girl, go for peanut butter and fruit such as apples or bananas (just don’t get caught on Banana University). Now when I say peanut butter and fruit, I do not mean eat the whole jar of peanut butter (I wish), rather try to stick to 1 or 2 tablespoons for a healthier proportion while still filling any cravings. Another option is almond butter. I know it sounds and may even look a little suspicious, but it’s seriously delicious.
3. POM Fresh Fruit Pomegranate Seeds
My roommate recently introduced me to POM pomegranate seeds and I am hitched. They put regular pomegranate seeds already removed from the pomegranate in a travel cup that even comes with a little spoon. These are great because you don’t have to deal with creating a mess in your dorm and are meant for snacking on the go. So far my roommate and I have only been able to hunt them down at Shaw’s. but they are definitely worth the trip as they are only 80 calories a cup.
4. Chobani Greek Yogurt
I have never been the biggest yogurt fan, but somehow Chobani Greek Yogurt with the fruit on the bottom has me hooked. These are especially great to have when you are rushing out the door in the morning for breakfast or even when you are craving something a little sweet but don’t want to sacrifice your hard work at FitRec that day. Even better, it comes in a variety of different flavors all 140 calories or less.
5. Popcorn
One word that comes to mind is yum; movie theatre popcorn-double yum. But all that extra butter, salt, and the over the top proportions will completely defeat what we are trying to accomplish here. So instead, take a trip down the snack aisle at Shaw’s and find a lower cal, fat free option. There are even individual proportion packages you could opt for too. Throw that bad boy in that obnoxious dorm microwave of yours, pull up the most recent episode of your favorite show on your laptop, and just keep snacking till the craziness of school is only a memory.
6. Cereal
Am I alone in thinking that cereal is definitely the #1 staple in a college students diet? No matter what time of the day, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, someone is eating cereal in the dining hall. If you are like my friends and I, then you have resorted to cereal as an acceptable dessert over the cookies, brownies, and ice cream. With cereal, you have to be careful that your dining hall proportions don’t get out of hand–the constant supply of Lucky Charms can be extremely tempting. In your dorm, stick with a healthier option like Special K and you should be all set.
7. Almonds
I love almonds, but they can be a little addicting and you can easily go over the 150 calories with a bag of these nearby. If you are adamant about sticking to a low cal snack, then put about 15 at a time in a plastic baggy.
8. Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided Twist Pretzels
These pretzels will satisfy any craving because they are both salty and sweet. After a long day of classes, I usually grab a bag of these from the vending machine because they seem to be the healthiest option available. But if you want to have some for your dorm, buy the big bag and just make individual baggie proportions for yourself. Now you’ll have them for whenever you’re running out the door late for class or just snacking in your dorm, and won’t have to worry about overeating.
9. Snap Peas
Sometimes when I think I am craving chips, I am really just looking for something crunchy and I would definitely consider snap peas the chips of vegetables. They are so crunchy and immediately satisfy the craving for crunch. Just grab some snap peas; you can’t go wrong here.
10. Dark Chocolate
I am going to go right ahead and assume that all of you collegiates™ have been eating healthy and working really hard at FitRec, so its finally time to treat yourself! Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants so having a few pieces here and there is not going to completely destroy all that you have worked for. And if you are feeling really savvy, I’d say melt a few pieces in your microwave, grab some strawberries, and there you have the classic treat chocolate dipped strawberries. Who said dorm food can’t be classy?