With school coming up (or already starting for some of you!), I know it can be such a hassle trying to get everything ready to get back to campus or to simply get everything ready to begin school. This year it’s different and even more stressful! With the pandemic, face masks, online school, etc., getting ready for school is even harder than it used to be. Who has time to think about food with twenty other things on the brain?
This year, as I make my way back to campus (finally!!), I realize I won’t be rushing to class except once a week. That means I'll be sitting around my dorm room with my laptop. What’s the one thing I do when I’m bored? Snack! I snack on anything and everything (candy, potato chips, fruit, you name it) that finds itself within my reach. This semester, as I live in an apartment-style dorm that’s right down the street from our campus store, I’m determined to cook healthier and stop snacking!
I have three secrets when it comes to snacking:
I cook hearty meals that fill me up
Or, should 1 and 2 fail me: 3. I get a healthy, filling snack
I often times find myself chewing at the insides of my lips. This is painful and it becomes a bad habit quickly! What I do when I’m home for the summer (or for quarantine), I grab food to stop chewing on my cheeks. This is nearly as bad as my cheek chewing habit. Chewing gum negates this habit, and it gives me a minty taste in my mouth. Not only do I enjoy that, but it also simulates the “I just brushed my teeth” feeling, making me less likely to eat.
When you’re full, you’re less likely to snack. Now, I’ve had (many) times where I’ve had a big meal and then got up to grab a snack less than half an hour later. So this isn’t a surefire thing, but it definitely helps! I won’t put any recipes here, but anything that features protein (tofu, beans, meat, etc.) is bound to be filling.
Snacking is sometimes unavoidable. Whether you’re eating a to-go breakfast, cramming something in your mouth in between zoom meetings, or grabbing the most available (i.e., closest) food, snacking is just a part of the day.
Before I get into which snacks are more nutritious for you, here are a few tips on how to actively choose healthier snacks:
We’ve all heard it said many times before any time we look up advice on how to eat healthier. Keep the junk food out of the way! If it’s harder to reach, you’ll be less likely to eat it. If this means keeping it on a high shelf, towards the back of the pantry, or putting a blanket over the cake container, try not to let yourself physically see it! This can be hard, and, if you live at home or with roommates, some members of the house may be a little aggravated if you start shuffling things around. I know that whenever I’m with my family, we have a shelf in the pantry about chest-level where we keep the candy, small desserts, and snack-sized chocolates. I don’t think I’ll be able to move that around, since it’s been there for nearly five years (the space dedicated to the candy, not the candy!). It’s especially hard when I open both doors of the pantry and see granola bars on my right and chocolate on my left. If you find yourself unable to move food around, try to have an image in your mind about what you want to snack on. If I think about a granola bar for most of the day and how we have just the kind I like, I’ll be more inclined to grab one.
The second tip I have is a little harder to follow, especially if you’re somewhere with people who share food with you. If you’re able, keep junk food out of the house! Avoid the candy aisle in grocery stores, and don’t even think about the freezer section filled with your favorite frozen treats. (An extra tip on grocery stores: stick to your list! And yes, writing dessert on your list is cheating)
Thirdly, ask yourself if you would eat an apple (or a banana). If the answer is no, you’re probably not hungry. If you really wouldn’t eat an apple because you “just don’t want an apple” (oh how I’ve used that excuse before!), ask yourself the same question with a different, healthier option before you grab the new bag of potato chips that are calling your name.
The last tip I have is mind-blowingly simple: drink water!! Drinking water is good for you, and it’s actually a natural appetite suppressant and can help you lose weight.
When you feel like you just absolutely have to eat something, regardless if you’re hungry or bored, here are some good snack options!
Any sort of fruit, whether it’s an apple, a banana, a handful of blueberries, or a mango! Fruit is always a delicious option that works no matter the time, day, or season! I personally adore peaches, even if they’re straight from a can.
Whether it’s baby carrots, a veggie tray, or a whole tomato, vegetables are an amazing option to snack on
Peanut butter and celery or graham crackers
If you’re allergic to peanuts, try almond butter! If you’re allergic to nuts in general, try sunflower seed butter! You can do ants on a log (raisins, peanut butter, celery) and it’s still just as good, but I’m not a big fan of raisins. You can try unsweetened/dark chocolate chips for that healthy chocolate crunch!
I really like flavored yogurts, although plain, 2%, or fat-free is your best bet to be the healthiest option. Try it with loose (plain) granola for a crunch! I like to call that “interesting cereal”
Nuts are super healthy! Pistachios, peanuts, cashews, almonds, and walnuts are all wonderful! No matter which nut you choose, unsalted is always healthiest! Unless, of course, you’re allergic. Maybe steer clear of this one if you are
Chewy, crunchy, Nature Valley, KIND, Clif Bars, Quaker, whatever your preference, granola bars are awesome! Be forewarned of just how much sugar is in whichever type you choose (less than 10 grams is optimal)
I’ve kept these options simple. I know when I think of snacks, it’s usually the prepackaged stuff. I’m not looking to spend more than five minutes in the kitchen trying to make myself a snack. I consider dipping graham crackers in peanut butter “making myself a snack.”
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