3 Healthy Dorm Room Snacks
Trade in your salty chips for a nutty snack.
by ALICE SHAW ★ APR. 03, 2017
It’s not always easy to get to the gym. We all know that. But, sweating your butt off on the elliptical is only one element of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In fact, 80 percent of weight loss and maintaining a healthy mindset accounts for the quality of food we put into our bodies, according to Women's Health Magazine.
If you are someone who likes to snack, and is looking for new alternatives from the sugary snacks our vending machines load up on, these choices are perfect for you.
Go nuts
While almonds are a favorite for many, any type of nut will do. From cashews to peanuts to pistachios, any type will be the perfect addition to your snack drawer.
Nuts are a good contribution to a healthy diet. They contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, and are great to munch on.
Not only are they rich in fiber, but they also keep you full for much longer when compared to other snacks. Inexpensive, easy to store, and easy to pack when on the go. What more could you ask for?
For the healthiest option possible, try raw, unsalted nuts. But do not worry if you start off with salted or roasted versions; anything is healthier than what you’ll find in the vending machine. Not only can you find these nuts at Wegman’s or even CVS, but you can also order them on Amazon Prime and have them delivered straight to your dorm!
Protein bars
Another healthy dorm room snack are protein bars. With an abundance of different protein bars out there, you need to know that not all of them are created equally. Treated more like candy bars than diet supplements, some bars are loaded up with sugar.
How can you tell which brands are right for you? The key lies in selecting a bar with the right building blocks. Protein should be at least half the amount of the bar’s carbohydrates. For example, if the bar has 24 grams of carbohydrates, it would need to have at least 12 grams of protein.
Be sure to check sugars on the back of the box. If they are below 7 grams, and the fat is below 12 grams, you are golden. Some options that meet this healthy criteria are Nature Valley Protein Bars, LARA Bars, Quest Bars and Luna Bars.
Fruit
The last essential dorm room snack is fruit. While it may be hard to store fruit if you do not have a fridge or freezer, at least it’s always easy to grab a banana or apple from the dining hall. One simple pick up will last a couple of days!
Keeping healthy snacks in your room is a great route to a healthy lifestyle. Remember, the habits you develop now will stick with you when you enter the real world.