Whether it’s going from class to class, running back and forth between clubs and extracurricular activities, or staying up late studying, it’s often difficult for us busy college students to find time to grab a nutritious snack. Preparation is key to avoiding a situation where your stomach is growling but you just don’t have time to search for something healthy. By stocking your dorm room or apartment with grab-and-go snacks that offer a nutritional boost, you can tackle your day while staying full, focused, and energized.
1) Mixed Nuts – Nuts are always a great snack idea and come in so many varieties that they never get old. Different types of nuts include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and cashews, though there are many more, and all include a host of health benefits. You can get them lightly salted, dry roasted, smoked, plain, etc. but in every case you’ll be benefiting from the fiber, protein, and vitamins that nuts provide. Since nuts tend to be higher in calories, it’s important to keep portion size in mind when filling a bag with this nutritious snack. That being said, just a handful or two should be enough to keep you going until your next meal. By keeping a big bag of your favorite type or mix in your dorm room, you have an easy, healthy snack that you won’t need to worry will spoil before you get the chance to eat them.
2) Apples/Oranges – While any type of fruit is sure to be a healthy and delicious snack, apples and oranges, in particular, tend to be more convenient to take on the go and don’t rot very quickly. These two fruits can be thrown in a purse or bag for later, and will give your body the fiber to hold you over until your next meal and the vitamins to provide a much needed energy boost during a long, busy day.
3) String Cheese – String cheese is a great source of protein and calcium, and is conveniently packaged for portability. With 5-6 grams of protein in each stick, string cheese is a great compliment to a piece of fruit, both in taste and nutritional benefit. String cheese requires refrigeration, but takes several weeks to go bad, so a bag of 20 is sure to last you.
4) Hard-Boiled Eggs – While this option may not be available to all, hard-boiled eggs are extremely nutritious and are even considered to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Just one egg has 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of healthy fat, and a vast amount of nutrients, including calcium, iron, potassium, and more. Grabbing a few from the FFC breakfast and storing them in your mini fridge, or making them on your own (which takes about 15 minutes), is far more convenient than cooking them scrambled or sunny-side up on a stove. Eggs should be eaten fairly quickly, usually within a week.
5) Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt is a creamy, delicious treat that packs calcium, a large amount of protein, as well as the benefit of probiotics, which promote healthy digestion. Not only does it taste great, but it can be eaten in class or while you’re studying at the library (as long as you bring along a plastic spoon). Greek yogurt is considered to be healthier than regular yogurt because of the increased amount of protein, from 8-15 grams per 5.3 oz container, and is generally lower in sugar. Greek yogurt takes around 2-3 weeks to turn, giving you plenty of time to eat it.
6) Baby Carrots – If you’re looking for a crunchy snack, stay clear of the salty, unhealthy chips and instead turn to crunchy vegetables, like baby carrots. While you cannot go wrong with any vegetable, baby carrots do not need to be cut up first, take 3-4 weeks to spoil, and can easily be thrown in a bag and enjoyed at your convenience. Carrots are a great source of nutrients, especially Vitamin A, and offer additional fiber, but are best paired with a good source of protein if you’re looking for a substantial snack to hold you over until dinner.
7) Deli Turkey Slices – Turkey slices are low in calories, high in protein, and can be eaten in a variety of ways. Throw a few slices in a bag, wrap them around a piece of cheese, or even throw a few on a piece of bread, and you have a substantial snack at any time of day. Deli turkey generally lasts around a week, so it’s important that you purchase this item in reasonable amounts.
8) Protein Bars – Protein bars are often tasty, very convenient, and can pack in more protein than some of the other items on this last. However, when going this route, it’s important that you look for brands that offer as little sugar as possible. There are many brands of protein bars that pack in more sugar than a candy bar, making them not so healthy. You want to look for a bar that offers less than 15 grams of sugar but more than 10 grams of protein. Some good examples include Quest Bars, Fiber One Meal Bars, Balance Bars, Luna Bars, and Kashi GoLean Bars.
Photo Credits: http://cdn.nuts.com/images/auto/510×340/assets/e69a4504a09c90bb.jpg (Nuts); http://couponclippingcook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2-string-cheese… (String Cheese); http://manfuel.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/green-and-yellow-yolk-in-hard… (Eggs); http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J36BZdUMIxk/TZa9alqpMVI/AAAAAAAADUs/-WZGeixcc4… (Chobani); http://charliespride.com/images/ps-turkey.jpg (Turkey); http://www.lunabar.com/images/remote/http_assets.lunabar.com/uploads/pro… (LUNA bar)