The Art Of Snacking

If you love food as much is I do, you'll be happy to hear that snacking in between meals is actually beneficial (if you are snacking on the right kinds of food, of course). The term "snacking" has somewhat of a negative connotation because people often associate snacking with mindless eating, such as grabbing a handful of chips here, or a few M&Ms there.

The type of snacking I'm talking about is almost like having a mini meal in between meals. It could be a piece of fruit, a handful of raw nuts, a granola bar, carrots with hummus, and the list goes on forever. The point is, eating a little something in between meals keeps your blood sugar levels nice and steady, which keeps your hunger in check. Going from starving to stuffed multiple times a day is not as healthy as staying at a steady level, and takes a toll your body. Also, it's a lot more difficult to make healthy decisions at meal time when you are absolutely ravenous. Let's face it... that In-n-Out drive through is much harder to pass by when you are starving!

It can be hard to find nutritious snacks that keep you satisfied and taste great, especially in college. I had to get a bit creative and search multiple places on campus to come up with a core group of go-to snacks, but I did it! Here are some of my favorite snacks, and why they will keep you full and fit!

My Grocery Goods: Here is what I picked up from the local grocery store, and how I like to use it for snacking!

Ezekiel bread, egg whites, & avocado: 
These three ingredients make for a fantastic morning or afternoon snack when combined. You can actually make scrambled eggs in the microwave! It's amazing! I would then pile those scrambled egg whites on top of the ezekiel bread. Ezekiel bread is a simple, healthy brand that contains very few, all pronounceable, ingredients. I would top off my scrumptious snack with a few slices of avocado. Avocado is a well-known superfood, and is full of good fats that your body needs. Yum! 

Plain greek yogurt, honey almond flax granola, & fresh apple slices:
This is another dorm snack I have been enjoying lately! I start with a generous helping of plain greek yogurt. Plain greek yogurt tastes exactly how it sounds- plain. Sour, even. It would not be very tasty to eat alone, which is why I like to pile it high with goodies. Plain greek yogurt is amazing for you! It is low in calories and sugar, and high in protein and calcium. I like to mix in granola (my favorite/the brand in this picture is Kashi Go Lean Crunch) and fruit. 

Honey greek yogurt, organic peanut butter, and dried apples:
This is a great snack to have after the gym. Between the greek yogurt and peanut butter, it is chalk full of protein that will help keep you satisfied and help your muscles recover. Some people try to avoid peanut butter because it is fattening. Chances are you have heard of "good fats vs. bad fats"... well, peanut butter is a prime example of the GOOD fats that your body actually needs (similar to the good omega-3 fats in fish, olive oil, and chia seeds). I like to blend the peanut butter in to the yogurt and throw a few dried apples on top for some extra fiber!