Living off of a meal plan in college might not always be satisfying or healthy, especially when it comes to snack options. As an avid Target shopper, here the top ten healthy and delicious dorm snacks you have to have, especially to avoid buying the Funyuns from your dining hall.
1. Archer Farms Simply Trail Mix
This is a classic snack and it's the perfect blend of sweet and salty. The Archer Farms Simply Trail Mix includes lightly salted peanuts, unsalted almonds, M&M's, raisins, and dried cherries. Nuts are a good source of protein and healthy fats, so you can enjoy this snack without feeling guilty.
2. The Peeled Snacks Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is great when you're craving something sweet, but want to avoid high sugar candies and desserts. The Peeled Snacks dried fruit are completely organic with no added sugars. My personal favorite is the dried mango.
3. Larabars
Larabars are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, and kosher. They're usually made up of around only 6 ingredients, but it depends on the flavor. The chocolate chip cookie dough bar tastes just like a cookie but is made from cashews, dates, semisweet chocolate chips, and sea salt— talk about a #healthychoice! They're great for when you have an early morning class and need a quick and easy snack.
4. Barney Butter Almond Butter
Almond butter is a slightly healthier version of peanut butter as it contains more healthy fats, vitamin E, calcium, and iron. The Barney Butter almond butter goes perfectly with bananas, apples, on rice cakes, or in oatmeal (all of which you can also keep in your dorm!). They also have a variety of flavors to satisfy everyone's cravings.
5. Fiber One Fudge Brownies
These taste exactly like brownies, but won't leave you feeling like you need to hit the gym. They're only 90 calories and just 8 grams of sugar... easily a better alternative than whatever sweet treats your cafeteria is serving. They also come in a variety of flavors, like chocolate chip cookie, mint fudge, and birthday cake if you're looking to try something else.
6. SkinnyPop Popcorn
If you're having a movie night in your dorm, SkinnyPop Popcorn should be your go-to snack. It's only 39 calories per cup and it has no artificial ingredients, a much healthier option compared to all those movie theatre butter kinds. Plus, it's already popped, which is perfect if you don't have a microwave.
7. LaCroix Sparkling Water
If you're a soda lover, this is a healthy alternative that is still flavorful. They're all zero calories with zero added sugars and no sodium. They have a variety of flavors to choose from, like grapefruit and lime which make the taste even better.
8. Terra Vegetable Chips
It's hard to resist spicy Cheetos or barbecue chips from the dining hall, but these vegetable chips are both satisfying and guilt-free. They're made from lightly salted parsnips, sweet potatoes, taros, yuccas, and batatas (a type of sweet potato)— all things that are good for you! You won't even notice the difference between potato chips and these vegetable chips.
9. Sabra Hummus
Hummus is high in protein, fiber, iron, and it helps prevent hunger cravings because the protein will help keep you fuller longer. On top of all of that, it tastes amazing and has a variety of flavors to choose from, like roasted garlic, carmelized onion, and lemon. Keep some pita chips or carrots in your room and have them with hummus for a healthy snack.
10. Chex Cereal
The Chex rice cereal is a versatile snack and comes in chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, blueberry, and honey nut flavors. It's low in sugar with no artificial ingredients, making it a much better option than snacking on some Lucky Charms or Frosted Flakes. Enjoy it with almond milk for breakfast, or make your own trail mix with it.
These foods and one quick trip to Target will help you reinvent your snacking habits, keeping you healthier during your time in college (which we all know can be quite the struggle).