Since coming to college I’ve been on this health kick where I’m actually paying attention to the things that I put into my body. I find that when I’m eating good things I have more energy, am in a better mood, and just feel better altogether. I like to use the app MyFitnessPal to not only track my calorie intake, but also my sugar, cholesterol, sodium, and potassium levels for the day as well. By doing this I also just feel more in control of the things in my system. The hardest part though of trying to eat healthy is being away at college where there’s an abundance of fatty and fried foods that are really really horrible for you (I’m not gonna lie though I do eat those foods every once in a while). I’ve compiled a list below of healthier snack options that I like to keep and am able to prepare in my dorm!
1. Loaded Oatmeal
This one’s really easy. I like to keep the instant oatmeal packets in my room for an easy breakfast in the mornings before classes. I do have the different flavors, but I like to take my oatmeal to the next level by piling on a bunch of goodies that prepare me for the long day ahead! Depending on what fruit I have in my fridge at the time, I’ll usually put in banana, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. Then, I sometimes will add some almond butter/peanut butter or raisins, and top it off with chia seeds, coconut flakes, and some honey!
2. Acai/Smoothie Bowl
This is a personal favorite of mine, but it does require a blender and frozen fruit. I have a mini Nutri-Ninja blender that’s really easy to clean and keep next to my fridge. I ordered a bunch of packets of frozen acai so I like to use that in my base mixture, but basically you can start off with any frozen fruits you like! I like to use the fruit from the dole mixed fruit bags so I get a good mix. Then you can just add some yogurt (I like to use Faye Greek yogurt because it’s thicker) and almond/regular milk for the liquid. I prefer to keep almond milk in my dorm because for one, it’s better for you than all of the hormones in regular milk, and two, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated until it’s open so a bunch of cartons last longer than one carton of milk. After the base is thoroughly blended, on top, you can put whatever fruits you like, granola, some chia seeds, coconut flakes, and finish it off with honey, peanut butter, or Nutella!
3. Peanut Butter and Banana tortilla roll ups
This is one of the easiest things to make in a dorm! All you need is peanut butter, a banana, and a tortilla. You literally just spread peanut butter all over the tortilla, put the banana in whole, roll the tortilla around the banana, and then cut it into little slices so you can eat it with a fork. It’s so simple, yet so satisfying.
4. Soft Granola
Soft granola is a really good snack when you’re craving something sweet because it almost tastes like an oatmeal cookie. My personal favorite kind is the Creative Snacks brand Cranberry Super Seed Granola Clusters. It does have a little bit of added sugar, but in reality it’s a lot better than a lot of other things we eat.
5. Honey Crisp Apples
My absolute favorite kind of apple. Apples in general are really good snacks, but a honey crisp apple is on a completely different level. They’re so sweet and so crunchy and so so so good.
6. Healthy Banana Boat
I actually saw this recipe recently on Facebook, except I substituted marshmallows for peanut butter. You basically just take a banana in its peel and slice it right down the middle (still in the peel). Then you stuff the middle with peanut butter and chocolate chips and put it in the microwave for around 30 seconds and voila! You have a yummy peanut buttery chocolatey dessert that is not very bad for you at all. You can even add in other fruits or some granola too if you want.
7. Sliced Apple Pies
I think it’s pretty obvious at this point that I love peanut butter, but this recipe is actually so good! You just take any apple of your choice and slice it in little rings. Then, you spread (guess what???) peanut butter (!!!) all over it and sprinkle it with a little bit of granola and a few chocolate chips. So delicious and so very easy.
8. PB & Nutella Tortilla Crepe
Peanut butter is making it’s final appearance in this one. You start out with a tortilla and spread peanut butter on one half and Nutella on the other half. Then, you put some sliced strawberries and bananas in, fold it over, and microwave it until it looks warm and melty and then you have your very own semi-healthy crepe-like thing!
9. Hummus with Carrots, Pretzel Thins, Peppers, etc.
Hummus, contrary to popular belief, is actually really easy to keep in your dorm. Sabra has a bunch of mini hummus’s in a six pack that stay good for months on end as long as they aren’t opened. I like to keep these in my fridge with some celery and carrot sticks for when I’m craving something not as sweet. Also, pretzel thins are amazing dipped in hummus, and also very easy to keep in a dorm room.
10. Chips and Guac
This snack is extremely popular, so there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to have it in our dorms. Sabra also makes mini guacs that are actually very good (you can trust me I am very particular about my guac). I like to keep these in my room along with chips that are a bit healthier than your average corn chips, usually like the WILD brand’s Chia and Quinoa chips or some blue corn chips.
11. Natural Popcorn
This is a really simple thing to have because every college student has popcorn in their room. Most of the time, the popcorn we buy at the store is really buttery and salty and full of unnecessary fat. It’s super easy to just switch to a more natural lightly salted popcorn and it will make you feel better while you’re eating it too.
