Life in college—and just life in general—can get extremely busy and quite draining. Chances are you’re always on-the-go and constantly in need of a pick-me-up. If you’re not a big coffee drinker, or when you need more than just a cup of joe, try these five simple and portable snacks. With flexible recipes, these mini meals are sure to satisfy your hunger while also giving you the energy you need to get through your day…and life.
1. PB&J Overnight Oats
What you’ll need:
A mason jar, oats, chia seeds, vanilla almond milk, strawberries (or any fruit) and peanut butter.
Optional: Honey
In a mason jar, add the oats, chia seeds and almond milk, and then stir well to combine. Next, mix in the peanut butter. Finally, add the fruit on top, along with a drizzle of honey if desired. Refrigerate the mixture overnight, or for at least six hours, then give it one final stir and enjoy straight from the jar.
2. Yogurt Parfait
What you’ll need:
A mason jar, vanilla Greek yogurt, fruit of your choice (I recommend strawberries, blueberries and raspberries) and granola (make your own with this recipe).
Optional: Chia seeds
In a mason jar or portable container, cover the bottom with yogurt, and then create a layer of fruit and finally a layer of granola. Continue layering until the entire jar has been filled. Top your parfait with a sprinkle of chia seeds for an extra bit of nutrition and crunch.
3. Trail Mix
What you’ll need:
A mason jar, peanuts, almonds, cashews (or any assorted nuts of your choice), raisins (or any dried fruit), sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey.
Optional: Dark chocolate-covered coffee beans
#SpoonTip: Add the dark chocolate-covered coffee beans for an extra boost of caffeine and energy.
In a large mason jar, add in your desired amount of each ingredient and shake the jar to combine. Separate the mixture into smaller mason jars or containers and enjoy on-the-go.
4. Green Smoothie
What you’ll need:
A blender, a mason jar or portable cup, spinach and kale (or any mixed greens), chia seeds, coconut water, frozen bananas and frozen pineapple.
Add the greens, chia seeds and coconut water to a blender and blend until all of the greens have liquified. Next, add the frozen bananas, pineapple and any other fruit desired, and pulse until the smoothie is well-blended. Pour it into a to-go cup, and enjoy through a straw for a great portable snack.
5. Granola Bites
What you’ll need:
A large bowl, oats, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, coconut flakes and honey.
In a bowl, add the desired amount of each ingredient, and stir until the mixture comes together. Next, mold the mix into small balls (approximately one inch in diameter) and either refrigerate for one hour to enjoy raw, or place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for five to ten minutes or until golden brown. These make for a great warm snack that will trick your taste buds into thinking you’re having dessert.