As the daunting week of finals gets closer and closer most of us will be setting up camp in fabulous Fogler library for days on end to hit the books. Between studying for upcoming finals and finishing last minute work, who has time to put much thought into cooking a healthy meal for dinner? Although quick and easy snacks like chips are the most tempting to grab during study breaks they’re unfortunately the opposite of what your body and brain need. With long hours of studying your body needs energy boosting and nutrient packed foods.
Snacks that contain protein, fiber and healthy fats are key to keeping your head in the books and not day dreaming about winter break or wasting hours on Facebook. Energy boosting snacks for your body are foods that contain healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein and vitamins. These nutrients will give you a quick energy boost and keep you from reaching for greasy potato chips or sugar loaded sweets.
Early morning snacks such as Kashi or Nature’s Path cereal are packed with fiber, healthy whole grains and protein that will help jumpstart your day in the right way. If you’re pressed for time in the morning a great on-the-go snack is low fat greek yogurt, packed with 15g of protein and only 120 calories on average, this will keep you going all morning no matter how much racing around you do!
When afternoon hits and your stomach is grumbling choosing a snack with healthy fats is your best bet. Grab an apple or a banana and pair it with two tablespoons of peanut butter, this provides you with important fats, fiber and vitamins, three nutrients that will keep you feeling full and energized all the way until dinner. If fruit doesn’t sound satisfying enough opt for whole grain crackers with hummus. The crackers will supply you with energy boosting carbohydrates, while hummus has fiber and healthy fats that will leave you feeling satisfyingly full.
The real struggle with eating healthy during finals week comes late at night. Pulling all nighters’ is hard enough as it is; don’t make it harder on yourself by eating foods that will make you feel sluggish and tired. Instead of choosing late night snacks that will only bring you down like ice cream or fast food, munch on energy-packed nuts such as almonds, walnuts or cashews. Even better make your own trail mix; combine nuts, sunflower seeds, dried fruits, granola or chocolate chips together and you will get a healthy serving of fat, protein, fiber and vitamins, that will keep you going ‘til the early morning hours. Another quick and easy, yet healthy, late night snack is popcorn. It only takes about two minutes to make and has fiber and whole grains. With only 100 calories per serving on average you can have satisfying late night treat guilt free!
This time of the school year brings tons of stress and along with that tons of tempting foods. But don’t let the stress of finals get the best of you this year or the best of your diet. Have a few of these healthy and energy boosting snacks packed in your bag during finals and you’ll end this semester feeling better than ever.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/quick_healthy_snack_…
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/snacks/healthy/11-energy-boosting…