Study Snacking Do's and Don'ts
As a college student, I can attest to the fact that snacking sometimes has a way of diverting from healthy habits. When I'm busy studying for an exam, or working on a big essay, I find myself half deep into a bag of potato chips. Snacking in college is inevitable, but I have found some alternatives to overindulging on unhealthy foods.
Instead of eating a bag of potato chips, try a handful of
whole grain cheddar Goldfish. I find myself bringing a bag of Goldfish with me
wherever I go. Goldfish are the perfect and convenient snack. Plus you can eat 55
little fish (one serving) and it's only 140 Calories and 5 grams of fat, as
opposed to 220 calories and up to 14 grams of fat in a mini bag of potato
chips. Plus one serving of goldfish has 3 grams
of protein! An average bag of golfish costs $1.50, whereas a mini bag of Lays®
Potato Chips costs $1.99.
Instead of eating a bowl of ice cream, try making your
own frozen treat! This is the perfect way to use those extra ripe bananas. Peel
a banana, cut it into chunks and place it in an air tight container overnight
in the freezer. The next day, mash the banana in a glass bowl with a spoon
until it is a creamy consistency. Your taste buds will not be disappointed in
this swap! 
Bananas cost about $0.49/ pound, whereas a
carton of ice cream costs as much as $4.49! Just think- you can buy 9 pounds of
bananas for that much!
Do you often give into your sweet tooth? Avoid the cookies and try this delicious treat. My new favorite sweet tooth snack is Special K® Pastry Crisps Cookies & Creme. They are the perfect sweet snack with only 100 calories and 2 grams of fat in two crisps, as opposed to a bag of bite size cookies with 280 calories and 13 grams of fat! You're also saving money- a box of bite sized cookies costs $2.99 whereas a box of Special K® Pastry Crisps costs $2.50.
A bagel and cream cheese used to be one
of my favorite breakfasts or late night studying snacks. Did you know that one plain bagel with nothing on it has 52 grams of
carbohydrates? Try a whole grain english muffin with peanut butter instead.
These english muffins have 23 grams of carbohydrates and are less than half the
calories of a plain bagel! They are also perfect to make a sandwich on the go,
or with a healthy fruit spread. A bag of six bagels can cost $3.39 where as
package of 6 english muffins cost $2.19. Not only are you saving carbs, but
also saving money!
Next time you're study snacking, try these healthier alternatives. There are plenty more opportunities to save a few calories by choosing healtheir snacks. Next time you want chips and dip, try carrots and hummus. Make your own popcorn without butter instead of prepackaged microwave popcorn. Using these few tricks will help you feel a little less guilty about your study snacking!
Kelsey
Kelsey is the an admin at the Independent Health Foundation. Currently, she is in her senior year of undergrad at Canisius College. She is studying Psychology and Communication Studies, with a concentration in advertising and public relations. She aspires to publish her work in two journals by the end of her spring semester. Although she's not positive what the future holds for her, she is passionate and invested in what she is learning within her field and through her internship experiences. In her spare time, she works as a dietary aide at a nursing home in Lancaster. She also likes to play soccer, be outdoors, and spend time with her family, significant other and friends.
