You already ate breakfast and lunch, come home from a long day of (boring) classes, and you’re starving. Or, you’re studying after dinner and can’t stop thinking about food. Trust me, I have these feelings just about every day. However, I’ve found ways to combat my hunger without reaching for pizza, ice cream, Pop-Tarts, or chips. Here are some healthy snack options that will satisfy your cravings, but won’t make you too full that you regret everything you just consumed.
1. Veggies and Hummus
Whether you choose carrots, celery, hearts of palm, bell peppers or cucumbers, hummus tastes great with any vegetable. Hummus provides multiple health benefits, such as protein and fiber. Chickpeas provide you with tons of iron and various vitamins.
2. Celery and Peanut Butter
Peanut butter honestly goes well with anything. The thick, rich peanut flavor combines perfectly with the light, watery taste of celery. It’s a crunchy and tasty snack that doesn’t take long to prepare. You can also try peanut butter with bananas, apples or carrots.
3. Cucumbers Wrapped in Turkey
Cucumbers and turkey is a low-carb snack, but it definitely fills you up until dinner. You can add a little mayo, or salt and pepper for more flavor. Turkey gives you the protein and vitamins you need to get through your brutal Political Science or Literature class reading assignment. It’s a healthy version of a pig in a blanket.
4. Yogurt and Fruit
Yogurt helps with digestion, makes your bones stronger and boosts your immune system. Some of my favorite yogurt brands are Chobani, Noosa, and Light and Fit Original Greek. Adding fruit, such as bananas, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, or even sprinkling chia seeds or flax seeds on top, makes it both a healthy and substantial snack.
5. Eggs and Wheat Toast
It’s socially acceptable to eat eggs at any time throughout the day, not just for breakfast. Whether you like your eggs scrambled, over-easy, over-medium, fried, hard boiled or poached, you can never go wrong. Put your eggs on a piece of toast with avocado, cream cheese, butter, and/or jelly, and you’ve got yourself a meal.
It’s definitely difficult balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, sleep, socializing, and staying in shape in college. All aspects of our lives coincide with struggles and hardships. However, these healthy snack suggestions are always here to keep you sane.