1. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds or ChickpeasAnything pumpkin themed instantly brings out a festive fall vibe. Instead of getting artificial pumpkin flavor in your coffee, try this snack, which is both healthy for you and authentically pumpkin. To prepare this snack, coat a baking sheet with a non-stick spray and add a layer of pumpkin seeds (you can find these at any grocery store). Sprinkle the seeds with a dash of salt, and then roast them at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes, or until they are toasted. If you do not love pumpkin seeds, try using chickpeas instead and sprinkle some cumin and cayenne on them.
2. Baked ApplesIf you love apple pie or apple crisp but do not want all the calories that go along with these sweet treats, try baked apples. Put a whole apple into a microwaveable dish with a little apple juice and cinnamon. Cook them for about three minutes on high in the microwave, or until they are soft. Add a dollop of some vanilla Greek yogurt on top to finish.
3. Seasonal SoupThis is kind of a no brainer, but snacking on nutritious soups is a great way to get a lot of flavor with very little effort in prep work. Plus, they warm you up! For the healthier option, choose soups that are loaded with veggies and are broth based, rather than cream based. To take this on the go, you can easily carry it in a to-go coffee cup with a spoon. If your professors let you eat in class, a warm snack like this is great for chillier buildings like Canisius and Bannow.
4. Healthy Hot ChocolateThe Hot Chocolate in Barone is delicious, but it is secretly loaded with lots of sugar. Pick up your own cocoa from the grocery store, and instead make it with vanilla almond milk. The vanilla flavor adds a similar sweetness like the hot chocolate in Barone, but the sugar content is cut in half.
5. Single Serving Cheese with Seasonal FruitKeep the apple fix going by serving it up with an individual portioning of cheese. Either one cheese stick or a couple slices of cheddar will do the trick. This snack satisfies both sweet and savory cravings.
6. Cinnamon Roasted NutsNuts such as almonds, cashews, or walnuts are great snacks to keep your energy up throughout the entire day. To put an Autumn spin on this typical snack, roast them in the oven with a trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove on top. In a similar way to the pumpkin seeds, place the nuts on a cooking sprayed baking sheet and pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy snacking on about an ounce of nuts. To measure out the correct serving size portion, pour the prepared nuts into a shot glass and then transfer them into a plastic baggie.
7. Pumpkin & Spice-Seasoned PopcornDitch the large bag of buttery microwave popcorn, and apt for a lightly buttered or plain popcorn. Add your own seasoning! After the popcorn has been popped, add a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger spices on top of your popcorn. Yum!
8. Homemade ParfaitTake your favorite Greek vanilla yogurt and top it with your choice of fruit. My go to is always bananas. To give it the taste of Fall, add some Maple Granola. A good one to try is Bear Naked Maple Pecan Granola; it can be found in the health food section at our local Stop and Shop.
9. Pumpkin Spice English Muffin with Nut ButterSavor the season by picking up Thomas’ Pumpkin Spice English Muffins and toast them either in a toaster oven or a regular oven for a couple minutes. If you do not have access to either of these appliances, this still will make a delicious, healthy treat. Add about one tablespoon of an all-natural peanut butter or almond butter on top.
10. Lettuce-Wrapped Turkey SlicesSatisfy a savory craving by wrapping turkey slices in lettuce. Add a little spicy mustard if you want an extra kick of flavor. To bring on the seasonal flair, throw a few slices of apple in there to add some crunch. This may sound like a weird combination, but it is delish!