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Fuel your body and mind with goodness and nutrients, and kick sugary treats and greasy takeaways to the curb with these 20 awesome healthy snacks that are great for college students.
Healthy Snacks to Try
1. Fruits
Fresh fruits are the easiest snack you can get your hands on.
Apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes are filled with fiber, nutrition, and vitamins. Fruits like dates provide you with instant energy.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables like carrots and cucumbers are great snacks. Cucumber is high in water and fiber. Carrots contain fiber and vitamins A and C.
You can carry them in your backpack easily. Just peel and cut them up into pieces in a meal prep container or carry them whole.
3. Roasted chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are a great snack for college students. The savory version comes with various spices, and the sweet version comes dipped in chocolate. Other innovative flavors are also available.
They are packed with fiber and keep you full for hours. The protein quotient also fulfills your daily need.
4. Granola bars
Granola bars are popular for a quick snack.
Many students used to avoid them because of the amount of sugar in the bars. But a lot of brands now sell granola bars without any refined sugar.
You can carry granola bars with you easily and eat them in between classes.
5. Popcorn
Popcorn is a popular movie time snack but it is also equally popular among students because it’s fairly easy and quick to prepare.
If you have access to a pan or pot with a lid, you can prepare your own batches of popcorn with store-bought kernels, oil or butter, and a pinch of salt. You can also get microwaveable popcorn.
Store it in a small airtight box, and have it as a snack throughout the day.
6. Nut butter
When it comes to nut butter, many of us might want to have spoonfuls of it in one go. My favorite is cashew butter, but you can find many different kinds nowadays, including walnut, almond, pistachio, and brazil nut.
You can eat nut butter with bread or toast for a quick, filling snack. I personally like it with fresh apple slices, which makes it an even healthier snack!
7. Dried fruits
If you have a sweet tooth and crave sweets many times a day, you can easily go for dried fruits.
They are high in fiber and energy and can keep you full in between meals. You can choose from a wide variety of dried fruits, including cranberries, raisins, apples, prunes, apricots, apples, mangoes, pineapples, and much more.
8. Nuts
Nuts are packed with protein and fat, and they are good for your brain. A handful of assorted nuts can be a great option for a quick snack.
Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and peanuts are the most popular picks among students. They can also be easily carried throughout the day.
9. Oatmeal and oat cookies
Oatmeal is another quick snack option. It is filled with fiber. Combine it with milk, fresh fruits, and honey to have a filling snack.
If you do not like the texture of soaked oats, you can always go for oat cookies. They can come with dried fruits, which adds to the nutritional values.
10. Rice cakes
Rice cakes are another affordable snack option for college students. You can buy them unsalted or lightly salted and pair them with fruits or veggies or eat them as they come.
Contrary to popular beliefs, they are not fattening and do not contain too many calories.
11. Trail mix
Trail mixes come packed with fiber and energy, which is why they can be a good snack option for college students who look for a quick boost of energy.
However, store-bought trail mixes often contain chocolate, added sugar, and salt, which can be harmful. You can make your own with oats, granola, dried fruits, and nuts, and carry them with you all day.
12. Whole-grain cereal
Whole-grain cereal is already established as a popular breakfast item. It can also be served as a snack. The whole-grain cereal has high amounts of fiber, which keeps your stomach full for a long time.
13. Pumpkin seeds
High in protein, fiber, and vitamins, pumpkin seeds have always been a popular snack option among kids and college students.
You can buy roasted and salted pumpkin seeds at stores or can make your own if you have access to a kitchen in your dorm.
14. Vegetable chips
Want to munch on chips but don’t want to add more salt and fat to your diet? You can opt for vegetable chips that are air-fried or baked with a drizzle of olive oil.
You can choose from zucchini, parsnip, or sweet potatoes, or make your own at home with a vegetable of your liking.
15. Whole-grain crackers
Whole-grain crackers are rich in fiber and can fill your stomach quickly. You can have them with cheese and dried fruits to enhance their taste.
There are plenty of brands in the market that sell crackers without the extra saturated fat or refined sugar. Make sure to pick the ones that are healthy.
16. Salad
Salads are the healthiest choice for snacks because they come packed with nutrition and fiber.
Pick a few fresh fruits such as apple, mango, avocado, banana, pineapple, and add cheese and nuts to make a quick fruit salad.
You can also prepare vegetable salads with tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, chicken strips, cheese, and a little bit of olive oil.
17. Yogurt
Plain or greek yogurt is a great healthy snack option for college students. It is high in protein and has a very low calorie count.
Add fresh or frozen fruits to it and drizzle some honey on top, and you can get a delicious snack that is packed with nutrition.
18. Hard-boiled egg
Eggs have always been a good source of protein and energy. Having eggs for breakfast is good practice. You can also have them as snacks throughout the day. Hard-boiled eggs can be carried easily and can keep you full for long hours.
19. Cheese
Cheese comes in various shapes and tastes. You can pick a type that caters to your taste and take it as a snack.
Cheese is filled with protein, fat, and a little energy. You can pair it with fruits or crackers to make it even more filling.
20. Milk and fruit juice
If you feel dehydrated, you can keep a drink as a snack option. Milk or fruit juice can be great as quick snacks.
There are various dairy and non-dairy options for milk. Orange juice is highly available in stores, but you can also make your own. You can also mix a few fruits for the juice to amp up the taste.
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