When you’re going on your fourth hour in Library West the day before a big exam and your stomach grumbles, it’s easy to make a bad snack decision.
You want to reach into your purse and grab a bag of comfort food like Goldfish or run downstairs to get a Venti Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino to wake you up… but you know you shouldn’t. You’re in a bad enough mood from cramming, and you start to wish you had packed guilt-free snacks ahead of time.
Here’s where Her Campus can help! We can’t control your cravings (which are okay to occasionally cave to), but we can give you tips about healthy study snacks.
1. Instead of potato chips, buy whole grain Triscuits.
Whole grain crackers will fill you up faster (and still provide the satisfying crunch). Baked pita chips, like Stacy’s Bare Naked Pita Chips, are another good option because they’re typically lower in fat than potato chips.
However, be careful at the store – make sure you scan the nutrition facts to get the healthiest brand possible. In either case, try to get 1-ounce bags of chips so you’re not tempted to eat more than a serving.
2. If you’re studying at home, make kale chips
Kale is full of calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K. They’re super easy to make, good for you and taste like baked potato chips!
Rinse and pat dry one bunch of organic kale. Cut off the stems; tear the leaves off of the rib. In a bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a half teaspoon of kosher or sea salt and one teaspoon of apple cider or balsamic vinegar. Gently toss the kale in the bowl, and divide the coated kale between two baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes (or until they’re crispy).
3. Instead of candy, buy fruit.
Fresh fruits like raspberries and blueberries are tart, so they’ll wake your study-crazed brain up while helping your body with antioxidants. Still craving sugar? Go for a sweeter fruit. Try cherries or dried apricots. However, if you’ve just got to have chocolate, have dark chocolate (it’s better for you than milk chocolate).
4. Wanting baked goods? Don’t eat a prepackaged bag of Oreos – make your own banana bread.
two large eggs and ½ cup sugar in a bowl until it’s thick and light. Mix in three mashed bananas (overripe!), 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/3 cup of buttermilk and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Add 1 and ¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup whole-wheat flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix this until just blended; pour batter into a greased pan. Bake for an hour at 325 degrees, cool it and cut into slices.
By now, you’re probably thirsty. Of course, drinking water is always the best choice, but if you desperately need to buy Starbucks, you have a few low-calorie options.
Hot or iced tea is probably your best bet; get it unsweetened and add your own Splenda. The Tazo Chai tea latte is naturally sweet so you won’t have to add sugar. When getting a latte, substitute non-fat milk instead of whole milk to knock 60 calories off of a grande cappuccino. Instead of sugar, try using powdered cinnamon or a bit of chocolate powder to add flavor. On frappuccinos, skip the whipped cream.
Rather than having Starbucks, try making a healthy chocolate milkshake. Blend together 2 cups of chocolate frozen yogurt, ¼ of a ripe avocado, ¼ cup of skim milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Top with a small scoop low-fat Cool Whip and drink up.
Good luck on exams, collegiettes. Study hard and snack smart!