Written by Zoe Manoukian
The semester is winding down, which means that exam stress is beginning to heighten for a lot of us students. For many people, studying and snacking go hand in hand. Add stress eating to the mix, and college kids become even more of a snackish bunch! While treats such as chocolate and ice cream are sometimes the perfect tonic, there are plenty of healthy and delicious snacks that you can add to your staple study foods. Below are five healthy snack ideas!
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
For students who have access to an oven and have a leftover pumpkin or two from Halloween: considering roasting the seeds! Set your oven to 300 degrees and then brush the seeds with a coat of butter and salt. Pop them in the oven for 45 minutes, and you have a delicious alternative to chips!
- Laughing Cow
For a quick and energizing bite, take a Laughing Cow cheese wedge with a healthier chip option such as a black bean tortilla chip, pretzel crisp or nut chip. For a little more flavor, opt for the spicy pepper jack.
- No bake cookies
No bake cookies are a great alternative to Oreos, are fun to make and require minimal materials! Consider this recipe from eatingbirdfood.com:
Combine ½ cup of melted coconut oil (for those who don’t already have coconut oil, this ingredient can be replaced with a mashed banana) and a ½ cup of peanut butter. Add ½ cup sugar (can use coconut sugar or other healthier alternatives), ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup milk, a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of vanilla and 3 cups of instant oats. Stir, then drop the dough onto a parchment paper lined sheet and flatten into the cookie shape that you desire! Refrigerate until the cookies are set and enjoy!
- Veggies and Basil Sauce
This basil dipping sauce from Taste of Home pairs well with just about any vegetable that can be dipped! Mix together ¾ cup of mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons of pesto, 1 Tablespoon of Parmesan, 1 Tablespoon of minced basil, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 clove of garlic. The recipe suggests eating with asparagus, but carrots, celery, tomatoes and peppers would be delicious! Try this as a healthy alternative to chips and dip next time you are studying or tailgating!
- Hummus
You can make hummus yourself, but may want to buy it premade if you are in a pinch. Both options are tasty and energizing, and there are many varieties of hummus that will allow you to find a flavor that you love. Dip pita triangles, tortilla chips, veggies, or pretzel rods.
