The Best Snacks for University Students
Staying healthy at university will make you feel better both physically and mentally. One important way to stay healthy is to think about your snacks. You’ll need plenty of snacks — for between classes, study breaks, and when you’re rushing from one activity to another. Avoid simply grabbing whatever you can find by stocking up on these top snacks.
Fresh Fruit
Fruits like apples and oranges keep for several weeks and bananas for about a week (longer if they’re unripe when you buy them). All are great for a snack on the go.
Applesauce
An alternative to fresh fruit is applesauce. The advantage is it lasts much longer, meaning you can turn to this option if you run out of fresh fruit.
Dried Fruit
Another non-perishable option is dried fruit. You may need to check a few different products to find one without added sugar.
Nuts and Seeds
The great thing about nuts and seeds is that they’re filling and nutritious. They contain all sorts of vitamins and minerals you need every day. For the most benefits, find a mixed bag containing raw nuts and no added salt.
Trail Mix
Combine nuts, seeds, and dried fruit all in one with trail mix. Again, you’ll need to carefully vet products, since many have added salt and sugar and even chocolate pieces.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Boil a few eggs, peel them, and keep them in the refrigerator. You can store them in a sealed container for up to a week.
Cheese and Crackers
Cheese in slices, cubes, and sticks is ideal for a quick and filling snack, especially paired with crackers. Make sure you choose low-fat cheese and wholegrain crackers.
Raw Vegetables
Wash some vegetables in advance to have them ready to eat with a dip such as hummus or nut butter. Top choices include carrots, cucumber, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Plain Yogurt
Whereas yogurt can be a great snack, you’ll need to make sure you choose a product low in fat and free from added sugar to gain the health benefits. Add some flavour with fruit, nuts, and maybe a little honey.
Rice Cakes
The best rice cakes for you are the brown ones, as they have extra fibre. Eat them on their own or spread some almond butter on top.
Popcorn
An air popper is a great investment for college students, as you’ll be able to prepare your own popcorn from kernels. This is much healthier than microwave popcorn, which tends to have a large amount of butter or oil and salt.
Kale Chips
Potato chips are one of the worst snacks, as they have extra salt and little nutritional value — but kale chips are the complete opposite. You can buy them in most grocery stores or purchase fresh kale to make your own.
Energy Bars
Keep an energy bar in your backpack for when you need a snack but want to avoid the unhealthy temptations around you. Search for energy bars that are made with all-natural ingredients, low in sugar, and high in fibre.
Cereal
As university students often discover, cereal is not just for breakfast. As long as you’re choosing a healthy option (not something covered in sugar and packed with additives), cereal can be a good snack.
Oatmeal
For cold days, hot cereal like oatmeal is ideal. Find quick oats with no added ingredients and heat them in the microwave with water or milk. Make your oatmeal more interesting with add-ins like cinnamon, banana, pear, apple, and nuts.
It’s difficult to stay healthy when you live on campus, as you have limited space to store food and may only have a mini fridge. Fortunately, you can improve many aspects of your university experience if you move into modern student living. Ottawa students can find everything they could possibly want at The Revalie. As well as a full-size kitchen in your suite (fitted with stainless steel appliances), we offer a weekly shuttle for grocery runs, onsite parking, bike storage, indoor and outdoor lounges, and much more. Apply now for the furnished suite of your choice.