It’s that dreaded time of the year again… Midterm season. With your attention consumed with studying, it’s easy to reach for the unhealthy fast foods to snack on, not mention all the late night cravings you may get when you stay up studying. So here are some easy replacements to curve your cravings and help you pick the healthier option to snack on!
CHIPS
There is no denying that when you open a new bag of BBQ chips, you’re dying to jump right in, not to mention how fast you get addicted and next thing you know you’ve eaten the whole bag and a whole thing of dip. Oh God… Instead of chips, there are several different options to beat your salty craving.
1) Popcorn: this salty treat has fewer calories, but still allows you to have something crunchy and salty
2) Rice Cakes: at only 38 calories each, this is a great option that’s still a crunchy snack. Try adding peanut butter for a salty, sweet treat that’s actually not bad for you!
3) Pita with Hummus: try a multigrain pita and some hummus – you’ll be getting the same textures and tastes as chips and dip but with a healthier benefit.
PIZZA
Yes, pizza places around Laurier stay open extremely late, and at 2 am when your books start to look like food and cooking seems like it’ll take way too long, you fall into the trap of delivery pizza. Instead, try making Pita Pizzas: get a pita and put whatever toppings you like on it. Not only is this a cheaper option, it only take about 10 min (a perfect study break if you ask me) and it controls the serving size so you don’t accidentally eat the whole large pizza yourself for a late night snack.
CANDY
Whether watching a movie or studying, candy is always an easy go-to because it’s small and you can shove like 5 into your mouth at a time. It’s sweet and delicious, BUT literally has zero nutritional benefits. When in doubt, try reaching for some dried fruit; my faves are mango or apricot because you still get that super sweet flavor that you’d get from candy but less sugar, not to mention a happy conscious because you’re eating fruit.
POP
When pulling an all-nighter, it’s common to reach for drinks full of caffeine like pop and energy drinks. Although these fizzy drinks give you that boost of energy for a short period of time, in the long run, they will make you crash. If you’re craving pop or energy drinks, try making some flavored water! You can add fruit, tea, herbs, and whatever else you find appetizing; there are some great recipes out there, so don’t be afraid to get some inspiration from the Internet. If you still feel like you’re missing the fizzy aspect, try adding some carbonated water or tonic water to give you the fizz you need without all the added sugar.
CHOCOLATE
This is the best news yet… you can still have chocolate! When your sweet tooth is telling you to dig into that box of Halloween candy you swore you wouldn’t open, try opting for a better option like dark chocolate or fruit dipped in chocolate.
FRENCH FRIES
Mmm… French fries. Yes, healthy versions do exist! You can always opt for baked sweet potato fries that are yummy, delicious, and you still feel good because you’re not eating greasy fries drenched in salt.
In the end, we all have those days when the pizza and chips at 3am will win. But hey, if you can try to be healthy while trudging through midterm season, then I call that a win.