College-going students usually do not get many choices when it comes to healthy eating and snacking. Pictures of pizza, burgers, and late-night fast food snacks are mostly what come to mind when someone thinks about the college diet. However, it is not necessary for you to deal with your unhealthy habits if you are a college student.
Eating healthy snacks is always recommended for college students. It is also possible with affordable prices. Also, healthy eating habits have several benefits. It also determines how you feel physically. As a college student, you often use your smart brain, and healthy eating habits sharpen your brain.
There are the following 10 affordable, brain-healthy snacks for your food break during a late-night study.
1. Roasted Chickpeas
If you have cravings for something crunchy, roasted chickpeas are the perfect alternative to other unhealthy crunchy snacks, such as potato chips. Chickpeas are great sources of protein and fiber, which are good for your health. You can fry them in the oven and add some salt and chili powder to increase the taste. This can be a healthy and tasty snack.
2. Oatmeal
It is often difficult to find a snack with high fiber and protein along with low calories and fat. Oatmeal is the perfect example of this. It is considered a gem of a healthy snack. It also tastes very good and can be cooked easily with very little time. This is the perfect deal for a college student.
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3. Carrots
Carrots are very nutritious; they contain natural carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, and potassium. It is also very affordable. Any student can have it anywhere. It is better than the other unhealthy options.
4. Oranges
Oranges are known for their obvious vitamin C benefits. But it also contains potassium, calcium, healthy carbohydrates, and more vitamins, which are very beneficial for the human body. They are rich in sugar, but it’s always better to have a candy bar. They are also cheap in price. A bag of oranges can be bought for the price of a big packet of chips. So make the smart move next time whenever you crave to eat something sweet.
5. Green Veggies
People are aware of the benefits of eating green vegetables. You, as a college student, can have a baggie of raw broccoli and string beans in your snack. They have multiple benefits, such as vitamin C, antioxidants, and many more. Always look for greener and leafier veggies.
6. Blueberries
These little berries are very rich in nutritional value. That’s why they’re called superfoods! Besides the several nutrients and benefits, blueberries can also prevent memory loss and increase motor skill function and learning capacity. You can try them frozen for an extra taste!
7. Avocado
Avocado is technically a fruit; avocados contain mono-saturated fats, which are very good for blood flow and can decrease your blood pressure. Avocado also contains a high amount of vitamin E. But, always ensure that you do not overconsume it. Avocado is considered a fatty fruit; even if it contains good fats, a quarter or half is more than enough for one time.
8. Coffee
The coffee bean is not a fruit itself, but coffee beans are extracted from fruit or berries. If you consume an average amount of caffeine in the form of coffee, then your brain function, reaction time, and concentration level will improve. But it will only work if you consume it in the ideal amount. If you consume it in large amounts, it can make your health worse. Moreover, do not consume high-sugar creamers. If you dislike the bitterness in your coffee, then to make it a little sweeter, you can always add natural sweeteners like agave or honey.
9. Peanuts
We consider peanuts nuts, but they are actually legumes. Peanuts are very affordable and contain a high amount of protein. If you want to have healthy fats that will not make you feel hungry, you should avoid snacks that are full of artificial preservatives. If you consume peanuts in 2-ounce portions, then peanuts will have 300 calories. This is a good swap for a salty snack, which is not healthy at all.
10. Almonds
A handful of almonds can sustain you for a longer period of time. Almonds have a high amount of healthy fats, and they are also rich in protein (6 grams of protein in one ounce) on average. A single ounce of almonds also has 14 grams of fat (even if it is healthy fat). It’s one of the most healthy snacks as long as you consume it in large amounts, or an overdose can give you some extra unwanted weight gain.
Conclusion
Snacks can be a great option for your healthy diet, whether you prepare them from scratch or choose something from a store. Choose options made primarily from whole foods, pair foods that involve protein, fiber, and fat, and add a small amount of added sugar and salt to remain active between meals while also meeting your wellness goals.
