College is hard and eating healthy in college is harder. Junk food is so cheap and easily available but what if you could fulfill your nutritional need without breaking the bank? Here are a list of snacks that are healthier options to keep in your dorm room that will keep you fueled without packing on the empty calories.
1. Pretzels and Peanut butter
Peanut butter will provide you with protein and potassium while the pretzels add sodium and iron into your diet.
2. Belvita Bars
My favorite are the Breakfast Bars. They are lightweight but very filling. They're great for when you're running late to class. They keep my energy levels up and provide fiber and B vitamins.
3. Microwave Popcorn
While there may not be much nutritional value in popcorn, it's a nice light snack that can fill you up. However, loading it with butter isn't a healthy option.
4. Dried Fruit
Not only does it keep well in a drawer, dried fruit has Vitamin C and potassium. It's the perfect on-the-go snack or late night sugar craving.
5. Mixed Nuts
Mixed nuts are high in magnesium, Vitamin B-6, Iron, Calcium, Protein, Potassium, and Dietary fiber. But try to go for the raw nuts instead of flavored, salted, caramelized, etc.
6. Veggie Chips
Veggie chips are aren't all that healthy but a better alternative. They are a fairly light snack with some potassium, sodium, and vitamin B-6.
7. Soup
Instead of the easy chicken noodle soup, try healthier soups that will fill you up without having to eat too much. Soups like Minestrone, Lentil Soup, and Chicken & Vegetable soup, are packed with potassium, fiber, and folate.
8. Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich on Wheat bread
Again, peanut butter is a good source of Protein, Magnesium, Vitamin B-6, and Fiber. Instead of using white bread, try Whole Wheat or Honey Wheat. You'll be getting more nutritional value like Magnesium and a good source of carbohydrates.
9. Granola Bar
It may be hard, but try to avoid the granola bars dipped in chocolate. They will be high in sugar. A little drizzle or a few chocolate chips isn't bad though. Granola bars will be a good source of iron, protein and fiber.
10. Peanut butter & apples
Apples are high in Vitamin C, Fiber, and natural sugars. Paired with the peanut butter, it makes for a filling snack.
11. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a nice quick snack that will provide you with Calcium, Potassium, Protein and Vitamin B.
12. Frozen Yogurt covered Banana
Instead of chocolate, try dipping banana slices in yogurt and putting them in the freezer. Bananas are a great source of Fiber, Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and Magnesium. This snack will satisfy a sugar craving.
13. Crackers & Cheese
Cheese has a lot of Calcium, and Protein.
14. Chips & Salsa
Salsa is a great snack that is high in Vitamin A, Iron, and Fiber. This is the perfect snack to hold you over until lunch or dinner.
15. Hummus
Make sure you look at the nutrition label of the hummus before you buy it because it may vary with flavors. Generally, hummus is very filling but very low on calories. At about 25 calories per serving, this snack will be sure to fill you up. You can eat it with celery, chips, in a sandwich etc.
16. Seaweed
Not many people like the taste or texture to Seaweed but at only 4 calories per serving, it makes for a great on the go snack. It contains Magnesium.
17. Kale Chips
Along with Seaweed, Kale can be a hard snack to swallow but at only 33 calories per serving. It makes a great substitute for potato chips. Kale is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B-6, and Calcium.
18. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a perfect quick breakfast. You can add fruits like bananas, cranberries, strawberries, etc, to it to add flavor. It is relatively quick to make packing in Fiber, Vitamin A, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B, Magnesium, and Protein.
19. Yogurt Parfaits
Adding granola and fruit to your yogurt is a great way to add some flavor while keeping your snack healthy. It makes for a great morning breakfast to keep you fueled throughout your day.
20. Mixed Vegetables
Keeping a supply of broccoli, peppers, carrots, edamame, etc in your fridge will definitely keep your snacking healthy. There are many different nutrients found in vegetables. You can eat them plain or dip them in dressing.
