Healthy Snacks for the College Budget

Is there even such a thing as a healthy snack that isn’t bland, actually satisfies hunger, and doesn’t break your almost laughable college budget? The answer is YES! As an experienced waster of time on Pinterest, I have tried to make just about every recipe I’ve posted to my “College Food” board, and as many other Pinterest frequenters know, absolutely nothing turns out the way it looks on a pin…perhaps one of the more frustrating things in life. I would like to take a few seconds to inform you all that the following five recipes do, in fact, turn out just as beautifully simple as they appear in the pictures and won’t make you feel as though you’ve lost an arm or leg. A true blessing indeed.

ATTENTION DORM LIFE: these recipes are entirely attainable with painless modifications. Try them, I dare you.

Cranberry Almond Energy Bites

This recipe is protein and nutrient packed and can be stored in the fridge/freezer for a convenient breakfast or on the go snack. My favorite use for these little bliss balls is as a pre-workout pick-me-up or as a cure for the infamous “hangry” hour. (serves about 16)

Prep Time: 5 min   Cook Time: 10 min   Total Time: 15 min

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• 1 c. rolled oats
• 1/3 c. almonds (or nut of choice), chopped
• 1/3 c. shredded coconut
• 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed (optional)
• 1/2 c. nut butter (peanut or almond are great)
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/3 c. dried cranberries, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Bake oats, nuts, and coconut in oven for 5 minutes. Stir and let cool. (If you do not have an oven, this step can be skipped)
2. In a mixing bowl microwave nut butter for 20-30 seconds, or until runny, and add the baked mixture, honey, cranberries, and flaxseed (if desired). Form 1.5-2″ balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. TIP: wet hands after every 3-4 balls to help formation.

Tuna and Avocado Bowl

This is by far the least expensive and easiest recipe consisting of only two main ingredients. Depending on the portion size, this can be used as a great protein packed, low carb lunch or snack at any time of the day. The ease of this snack makes it one of the best for on the go meal prep.

Prep Time: 5 min   Cook Time: 2 min   Total Time: 7 min

• 1 can light chunk Tuna in water
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 chopped stalk of celery
• 1 Tbsp. light mayo
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Strain tuna of the water, chop avocado into bite sized cubes, and finely chop celery.
2. Combine all ingredients into a tupperware or serving bowl and enjoy.

Chickpea Kale Salad

This simple recipe is full of great and unexpected flavor. It is easy to package and take on the go and satisfies mid morning, afternoon, and late night hunger pangs. The chickpea kale salad is another snack that takes little to no time to toss together and the cost of the ingredients is very minimal. Plate it with a full lunch or pop open that tupperware for an on-the-go treat. This snack will never disappoint!

Prep Time: 7 min   Cook Time: 1 min   Total Time: 8 min

• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and strained
• 3-4 leaves of kale, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, chopped (optional)
• 1 lemon, juiced
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine chickpeas, kale, parsley and garlic in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl combine lemon juice and olive oil and stir.
3. Pour lemon juice and olive oil over the chickpea mixture and top with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Cucumber, Avocado and Feta Salad

Quite possibly my favorite recipe to have on hand at all times is this salad. Great for pairing with a main dish or just a spoonful from the fridge on your way out the door. This is a salad that refreshes any time of year and keeps those jeans fitting the way they were meant to fit.

Prep Time: 5 min   Cook Time: 2 min   Total Time: 7 min

• 1 large cucumber
• 3 large avocados
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/3 c. crumbled feta
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped dill
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Quarter the cucumber and chop into bite sized pieces. Slice avocados into bite sized cubes and juice lemon.
2. Combine cucumber, avocado, feta, dill, salt and pepper and lemon juice. Serve and enjoy.

Spinach and Banana Smoothie

The simplicity of this smoothie makes it a no-brainer when in need of an in between meal snack. It is packed with greens, protein and potassium, making it the perfect filler. Store this smoothie in the fridge and shake it up when in need of an energy boost.

Prep Time: 3 min   Cook Time: 2 min   Total Time: 5 min

• 1 c. almond milk
• 3 handfuls of baby spinach
• 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 banana

Instructions

1. Place ingredients in a personal sized or large blender and blend to desired consistency or until spinach chunks are not visible. Serve in a to-go cup or enjoy at home.

LET’S GET COOKIN!

Not only are these recipes affordable and quick, the modifications for personal preferences are endless. As a frequent sufferer of the “hangry”, I swear by these simple fixes and can say from experience that they actually look like their pictures.

DISCLAIMER: failure of recipe presentation that matches these images is probably due to user error 🙂