Savvy Healthy Snacking

Everybody loves snacking. Whether it’s something you’re grabbing between classes, a treat to make class less dull, or a midnight bite when cramming for a test, snacks are integral to every college experience.

The hardest part of snacking is finding the balance between healthy and tasty, especially with the limited availability (and money) to many college students. Next time you get the munchies, ditch the ramen and chips and try some of these ridiculously delicious options and see just how easy low calorie snacking can be. And, if you’re a student at Rollins College, all of these items can be found at the C-store.

100-calorie or less snacks (you can eat up to 3 per day):

Vegan:

1. ½ apple (40) with 2 tsp Jif Peanut Butter (60)

Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away and the peanut butter is a protein and flavor bonus.

2. Two cups Skinny Pop Popcorn (78)

My go-to snack when I need a little crunch.

3. 8oz Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water (45)

4. 1/2 dozen carrots (24) with 2 Tbsp Sabra Hummus (70)

5. 2 large (100) or 10 mini (90) Quakers Oats Rice Cakes

Not Vegan:

1. Two Alyssa’s Oatmeal Bites (90cal) (also available vegan)

Holy oatmeal bites Batman, these taste like cookies but are super healthy! Definitely the best snack that I’ve found in the C-store.

2. Ten Blue Diamond Almond Nut Thin Rice Crackers (65cal) with 1 Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Light Wedge (35cal)

The grown-up version of cheese and crackers.

3. One hard-boiled egg (78cal)

Perfect for an on the go snack, and the C-store sells them already hard boiled!

4. 2 oz of Boar’s Head Roasted Turkey Breast (50cal)

Perfect to roll up and dip in mustard or other favorite condiments.

5. 1 oz of Matador Teriyaki Beef Jerky (90cal)

A few pieces stay with you for a long time (and can also live in your backpack for emergency snacking)!

200-calorie or less snacks (limit to one or two a day):

1. ½ large banana (50cal) with 1 Tbsp Justin’s Almond Butter (95cal) 

2. 1 oz of Planters nuts (20 almonds, 17 cashews, or 21 trio of cashews, almonds and macadamias) (170cal)

Nuts are protein-packed and fun to mix. Put them in individual zip lock bag servings for an easy grab-and-go option.

3. One Koia shake: vanilla (170cal), chocolate (180cal), or coconut almond (170cal)

Delightful and filling, these shakes are the perfect post-workout fuel or an amazing drink anytime of the day. (Chocolate is my favorite flavor but they’re all wonderful!)

4. One Chia Pod (160cal)

These have the consistency of pudding but are healthy! They come in flavors of coconut, banana (my favorite), and mango.

5. Eight Honey Maid Graham Crackers (130cal) with ½ small banana (40cal) and 1 tsp nutella (30cal)

For a healthy s’more, spread a thin layer of Nutella on the graham cracker and top with banana slices.

Not Vegan:

1. Ten grapes, 1 Kraft cheese stick (80), and 30 Snyders Gluten- Free Pretzel Sticks (110)

2. One Sargento Balanced Breaks Snack Pack (180)

3. One container of Noosa yogurt (150cal) with ½ cup berries (20cal)

Completely satisfying at any time of the day. Noosa is incredibly creamy and berries are always a fun addition. Feel free to try different flavors and brands or substitute for So Delicious yogurt (130) for a vegan option.

4. Seven Glutino Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Pretzels (140cal)

The combination of sweet and salty is beyond delicious. Warning: It's very hard to only eat 7.

5. One Kind Granola Bars (calories based on flavor, but most around 170cal)

Kind Bars are one of the healthiest options, but are still filling and flavorful. There are endless amounts of flavors and varieties. Pro tip: always keep one in your bag! 

Low calorie snacking is so easy, and very delicious. Finding healthy snacks on college campuses, especially Rollins, is not as hard as you may think. Have fun snacking on all of the above options and creating your own combos!