The infamous "Freshman 15" is almost too real. We're faced with so many fried, battered options in the dining hall everyday. The biggest issue with these food is that they offer no nutritional value and don't keep us satisfied. What many students don't realize is that it's so easy to have a balanced diet if you make an effort in and outside of the cafeteria. Take a look at this list if you're confused on what you could possibly keep in your dorm that isn't Ramen and EasyMac.
1. Fruit & Nut Butter
Ditch the Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers that are full of unhealthy hydrogenated oils. Instead, grab an extra piece of fresh fruit from the dining hall and pair it with some peanut or almond butter. Nut butters offer healthy fats and protein to keep you full until lunchtime, but remember to opt for an all brands in order to steer clear of any unnecessary added sugars. Another great thing about nut butters is that you can keep them for the entire year without worrying about them expiring due to their long shelf life.
2. Popcorn
Popcorn is one of the easiest, most convenient snacks out there. It takes about a minute and a half just to pop a few cups to get you through that study session. While microwave pre-packaged popcorn is the typical approach, try popping your own kernels. In the long run, buying a bag of kernels and some brown paper bags is ultimately cheaper and lacks that pesky trans fat.
3. Nuts & Seeds
One of my favorite snacks to have while I'm either powering through an essay or catching up on my favorite show, is pistachios. Nuts are a great source of healthy fats and protein and can give you enough energy to get through a good workout. Grab a serving of almonds before the gym, or crack open some pistachios while you binge watch the latest episode of American Horror Story.
4. Vegetables & Hummus
When your parents begged you to eat your vegetables, they weren't doing it just to hear themselves talk. It's important to get a good couple servings of vegetables throughout the day. And if you're not going to get them in the dining hall, get them in your room. Pair some carrots, celery, or peppers with a tablespoon of hummus for a filling, flavorful snack. If you're hesitant about the idea of eating crushed up beans, take a look at all the varieties of flavors that are offered. And if it's still not your thing, that peanut butter tastes just as good on carrots as it does on bananas.
5. Whole Grain Crackers
Goldfish crackers have always been a staple in my household. Pepperidge Farm recently began a line of goldfish baked with whole grain. This variety tastes exactly like the Goldfish we all know and love, however have the power to keep you fuller longer than the classic crackers. So if you're looking for a substitute for that Doritos craving, grab a bag (or a box) of these and dig in.
6. Greek Yogurt
Chances are, when you're looking for what yogurt to buy, you're focusing on the flavors that mimic iconic deserts. The dairy aisles are lined with flavors like Boston creme pie, strawberry shortcake, and salted caramel swirl. What you might not know is, these flavors are always filled with artificially added sugars. Yogurt is a great snack, but not when it's full of unnatural flavors and syrups. Next time you need your yogurt fix, grab a plain flavor, and throw in some of your favorite fruits like blueberries or peaches. And if you're looking for a healthy dessert, toss a container of yogurt into the freezer for a couple hours and enjoy a nice, cold frozen yogurt.
7. String Cheese and Deli Meat
Meat and cheese is one of the most flavorful combinations of food to date. If you're looking for something more savory than fruit, grab a couple packages of string cheese and wrap them in your favorite deli meat slices. A good pairing is mozzarella cheese and thin turkey slices. If you're looking for something a little extra, spread a bit of yellow mustard in between for a hint of flavor.
8. Protein Bars
Protein bars are easily the best candidate when you're seeking something to fill you up and give you the most energy. My personal favorite are Quest Bars, because they have a great amount of protein and fiber to fill you up, and only 1-2 grams of sugar per bar. Quest offers so many flavors to choose from, whether you're looking for something fruity, or something packed with chocolate. If you're not into Quest Bars, there are so many other options out there such as Luna Bars, ThinkThin Bars, and KIND Bars. Protein bars are especially good for something to eat either before or after a workout. So find one that you love, and you're good to go!
9. Oatmeal
Before you say, "only my Grandma eats oatmeal", give me a chance to explain. Oatmeal is not bad. Maybe it tastes a bit plain at first, but your options to give it some flavor are almost endless. Top it off with some sliced up banana and a scoop of peanut butter, or try an apple with some brown sugar and cinnamon. Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast that will keep your stomach from growling in the middle of your second class.
10. Chips & Salsa
It's hard to be entirely against the idea of dipping a crunchy, salty chip into a sweet, yet spicy dip. While it's hard to find a brand of salsa that is unhealthy, as salsa is basically just a mix of vegetables; there are certain tortilla chips that are better others. Many brands of tortilla chips are fried, making them full of hydrogenated oils, so look for a brand that's baked instead. My favorite are XOCHiTL White Corn Chips because they're Non-GMO and contain no trans fats due to being oven-baked. They're exceptionally thin and taste amazing when paired with a good salsa or guacamole dip. Unfortunately, this brand is a bit more expensive than others, but in my opinion, their benefits outweigh the cost.
Hopefully, you believe me now when I say there are so many options out there if you're looking for some healthy snacks to keep in your dorm room. It takes no longer to put together a plate of hummus and carrots than it does to heat up a package of Ramen. But remember, as important as it is to eat healthy, it's just as important to be sane. So if that decadent brownie in the cafeteria is really speaking to you, go for it. But don't let it speak to you everyday of the semester, because, in reality, brownies shouldn't be talking anyway.
