Nutritious and Delicious: Dorm room snacks and ideas that are sure to tickle your taste buds!
Wondering what to reach for when it’s 11:30 pm (or later) and you need a filling and refreshing snack? Need something to stick in your purse for when hunger strikes? Stock up on these yummy treats!
1.) Greek Yogurt
Why so good? It’s creamier than normal yogurt with more protein and calcium to keep you feeling full longer.
How to eat it? Mix with honey or granola for a satisfying breakfast! They also come in multiple flavors such as peach, strawberry, vanilla, cherry and blueberry. For newcomers to the Greek yogurt world, I would say going for the plain flavor might be a dangerous move as this type of yogurt might be an acquired taste for some.
Brands? Fage, Oikos and Chobani.
2.) Nutrition Bars
Be careful! Look for a bar that contains around 10 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and no more than 15 grams of sugar. Many bars aren’t any healthier than a regular candy bar so be wary of ingredients!
Brands? My personal favorite brand is KIND. These bars are all natural whole nut & fruit bars with loads of fiber, protein, calcium and iron. Flavors include nut delight, peanut butter and dark chocolate, mango macadamia, and almond apricot.
My friends on the other hand, are addicted to Fiber One bars and recommend the oats and chocolate flavor. Remember, don’t pop them like Pringles, they have a ton of fiber—if you know what I mean.
3.) Nuts and Seeds
Why so good? They are extremely high in protein, vitamins, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, etc. They not only will help curb your hunger, but are great for your skin and hair! Hello, beautiful collegiette™!
How to eat them? Experiment with raw, roasted or salted for a portable and filling snack. Try all types such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds and walnuts. Maybe even make your own trail mix to go!
4.) Hummus and Pita Chips
Why so good? It is the perfect combination of crunchy and savory. Not to mention hummus contains many nutrients since its main ingredient is chickpeas–high-protein legumes.
Brands? The brands and flavors of hummus and pita chips are endless but if you haven’t already, definitely try the legendary Stacy’s Pita Chips and Sabra Hummus. These pita chips are made from all-natural pita and twice baked for extra crunch! Flavors include parmesan garlic & herb, multigrain, cinnamon sugar, garden veggie, Italian harvest and, of course, simply naked. As for this brand of hummus, Sabra’s products are all natural, gluten free, made with greek style yogurt, and are low-fat.
Hopefully this got your creative and stomach juices going! In addition, fruits and vegetables should make their way into your diet as often as possible so try buying a bag of carrots next time you’re at the supermarket instead of a bag of potato chips. One last rule of thumb–when you are craving something crunchy, reach for baked chips and whole grain pretzels.
Happy Snacking!