The freshman 15.
I don't know about anyone else but this was one of my biggest concerns coming to Temple. I've heard all of the stories and struggles of being a freshman with a meal plan.
Luckily, I am an extremely disciplined person. I actually reversed the freshman 15 and lost a bunch of weight during my first semester (and no, I'm not bragging about this. It was not a good thing.)
But there are ways to curb the freshman 15. Here are six guilt-free snacks to purchase for your dorm or apartment.
1. Popcorn.
The thing about popcorn is it can either be really healthy or the complete opposite. When being aware, you can successfully purchase a popcorn that won't contribute to your freshman 15.
When deciding between popcorns, always try and purchase brands with less salt and butter on it. My favorite is the Orinigal Skinny Pop, and to save money, I usually buy it in bulk from Costco. They also have white cheddar, naturally sweet, and many other options.
2. Rice cakes.
So these are my all time favorite snacks. I buy them plain and like to add a nut butter on top (such as almond butter or peanut butter, depending on my mood) with bananas and a hint of cinnamon. It's filling and satifies a salty and sweet craving. Plus they are good low carb and fat option.
3. Carrots and Hummus.
Literally the best combo. Yes, pretzels and hummus also go hand-in-hand just fine, but by replacing pretzels with carrots you cut all the macros in half. Pretzels can be high in sodium if you're not paying attention to serving sizes.
4. Sweet Potato tortilla chips
I love sweet potatoes. So naturally, coming across these at Trader Joe's was a blessing. Switch out Tostito's tortilla chips for Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips. They're 130 calories per serving and go great with hummus or guac!
5. Greek Yogurt.
Yogurt can be tricky. Brands out there such as Dannon and Yoplait promote "low calorie" or "light" yogurts, disguising them of their high-sugar content. Your best bet is purchasing non or low-fat Greek Yogurt. Personally, I purchase plain Chobani low-fat Greek yogurt and dress it up as I please. Adding honey and fruit is a great way to add flavor without consuming too much sugar.
6. Nut butter and Apples.
There are very few things I love more than peanut butter. And almond butter. It has the perfect combination of sweet and salty to quench any craving. Nutrtionally, nut butters provide omega threes and healthy proteins our bodies need. Spread some on a cripsy apple and there's a perfect snack. Be careful, though, because nut butters tend to be high in calories and fat. It's good for you, but too much of anything can be bad.
