Healthy snacks students can enjoy
Walking to classes, absorbing information in lectures and focusing while studying can take a toll on anyone’s appetite. For many, the best way to get through the day is by periodic snacking.
Unfortunately, many reach for a bag of greasy potato chips, or something else loaded with unpronounceable ingredients. Who has the time to make a healthy snack?
The truth is anyone can. All it takes to make a healthy snack is a little extra thought at the grocery store, and just a little more time than it takes to open a vacuum-sealed bag.
An important step in healthy snacking is knowing which ones are good and which are bad. According to kidshealth.org,it is best to avoid simple carbohydrates, such as candy bars and soda, and instead look for foods with complex carbohydrates, like whole-grain breads and low-fat yogurts.
Taking in complex carbohydrates will help keep extra weight off and energy levels high. Sugary foods will only cause a quick rush of energy and then a quick crash.
It is also important to watch out for anything labeled “natural”. Even when something is labeled as all natural, such as juice, it may still be filled with sugar (since it is natural).
Healthy snacking doesn’t mean giving up variety. According to the Mayo Clinic’s Web site, a healthy diet should have a wide variety of different snacks, as long as they are eaten with moderation and balance.
Some students know the importance of variety and creativity when it comes to whipping up a quick snack.
“What kids should do is buy canned tuna, salmon, sardines, crab and pre-washed bagged salads and make a little canned fish salad or something,” said Genevieve Dubois, 20, a sophomore pre-journalism major.
However, for the students who need some ideas to start munching well, here are some healthy and fast snacks any student can whip up:
Banana Ice
With the summer heat still floating around, a cool treat in the afternoon can be satisfying. Peel a couple of ripe bananas and cut them up into smaller pieces and put them into the freezer in a sealed plastic bag. After they are frozen, throw the pieces into a blender with some water or unsweetened juice and then serve. To keep the treat interesting, you can add some berries or nuts.
Healthy Ice Pops
Freeze fresh, unsweetened 100% juice in ice pop molds or ice cube trays.
Custom trail mix
Mix up 1 cup whole-grain toasted oat cereal with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup dried cranberries. It can be put into a backpack and be snacked on throughout the day.
Ants on a log
Spread peanut butter on celery sticks and top with raisins.
Yummy Yogurt
Add some frozen berries (there are several choices available) to some plain natural yogurt. Let the berries thaw a bit in the yogurt and smash them up and stir them around to make a treat that could rival the taste of ice cream.
Snack with Salsa
Melt 2 tablespoons low-fat cheddar inside a soft mini flour tortilla, then dunk into salsa.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Cameron Naish at naish@colorado.edu
