Healthy College Snacks: 9 Easy Food Swaps You Should Make Today
Love your snacks or fast food (and, I’m not talking about the good for you, healthy college snacks)?
Or:
Do you love to have a sneaky soda? Or sometimes, do you get the tub of ice-cream out for just two (six) scoops?
I think caving into our cravings is something we can all admit to! Junk food just tastes GOOD (it’s even engineered to be addictive) and the convenient mouth pleasure can be hard to resist.
Well, what if you could still enjoy those “less than healthy” snacks and meals? You know – without feeling guilty?
Healthy Food Swaps
The good news is:
You just have to be a little inventive when it comes to snacking right! Find some yummy snacks ideas and make some small changes for a better college life experience.
I mean – have you ever tried frozen banana in the blender?
Well it’s a game changer, it tastes exactly like ice-cream!
In today’s post, you’re going to learn how to make some simple changes that will have you eating healthy in no time.
9 Ideas for Healthy College Snacks/Food Swaps
1. DIY Pizza
You have two good options when it comes to a skinnier version of pizza:
1 – You can make a pizza bread crust with cauliflower.
But what if it’s the classic pizza dough that you crave?
2 – Then you can simply make it from scratch and just switch out what’s on top of the pizza.
So, how do you get started?
This meal is actually pretty simple!
Have your homemade pizza dough ready – spread it out on a baking pan that has been properly floured. Then brush the pizza dough with some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle on your veggies as well as a moderate amount of your favourite cheese.
And:
If you’re feeling a little fancy, feel free to mix black pepper, garlic powder and some of your favourite spices in with your veggies beforehand!
2. Get Your Snacks in Order!
Processed snacks might be convenient, but you need to think outside the wrapper!
With a little planning and prep, you can have all the snacks you need for busy on-the-go student life.
Looking for something sweet? Create little packs of dates, almonds, and coconut shavings.
Like your savoury snacks? Try making your own bacon jerky or sundried tomato, feta & green onion muffins.
Pinterest is a great place to look for new recipe ideas!
- Also Read: The Best List of Healthy Dorm Snack Ideas
3. Make Your Own Chocolate Bars
Healthy college snacks can be as simple as being homemade VS store bought!
If you find yourself to be the type of person who tends to get a hankering for chocolate, try making it yourself.
There is a HUGE difference between cocoa and cacao, so just by making the conscious decision to understand what is in your food will significantly improve your health.
Cacao powder is packed with nutrients and tastes just as yummy as cocoa.
We love making our own truffles! It only takes a few simple ingredients such as coconut oil, cacao powder and sea salt.
4. Healthy Fried Rice, That Still Tastes Like Rice!
Rice can be good for you – in moderation. However, if you find that when you cook it there is enough for the whole village (and you managed it eat it all) it might be time to find an alternative.
Try this healthy food swap:
All you need to do is roughly chop cauliflower and throw in a food processor for a minute. You will find that the texture is very similar to rice.
The best part is:
This ‘faux’ rice can be used in any dish where you would have normally used white rice and it tastes just the same. One of our favourites is cauliflower fried rice, the family didn’t even blink an eyelid when I served this one up!
5. Totally Tasty Pudding
Yesss, pudding can be added to your list of healthy college snacks! That is, when you make it right.
Chocolate pudding is great for when you want something decadent and sweet for dessert.
But:
Usually, this milk-based chocolate treat can get you into some calorie trouble.
Try cutting out some of the calories by using an avocado base instead of cream. Yes that’s right, you can make your pudding with avocados!
You just want to blend some cacao powder, non-dairy milk, avocado, and sweetener in your heavy-duty blender. Let the mixture chill in your fridge a few hours.
The result is creamy chocolate which is also a really healthy snack for you.
6. Can’t Give Up Mac and Cheese?
Unfortunately:
Processed pasta is just not a good thing to eat on a regular basis. 🙁
Get rid of boxed mac and cheese and make some at home with this simple, healthy food swaps idea.
You can make a velvety cheese-based sauce with added butternut squash. This sweet taste on mac and cheese is sure to be satisfying.
Or:
Take it a step further and replace your high carb noodles with a plant-based pasta made out of chickpeas or legumes. The texture may be a little grainier than regular pasta but it tastes almost the same.
Personally though, I think POW Pasta takes JUST like regular pasta. I never miss it when I make this healthy food swap.
7. Homemade Muesli
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so start it off the right way with this next healthy college snacks/meals idea!
Instead of kicking off the day with a bowl full of commercial cereal (which is sure to be filled with processed sugars and other preservatives):
Try having a bowl of homemade muesli as a healthier alternative!
Treat your body and taste buds the right way, by adding in your favourite fruits into your healthy homemade bowl of muesli!
8. Don’t Step Away from the French Fries
Wait – fries are on this list of healthy college snacks?
Yep! Thankfully, you can swap almost anything for a healthier version.
The next time you want fries – try BAKING them instead of deep-frying them litres of oil.
When at home/in your first apartment try tossing your sweet potato wedges in a bag with olive oil and semolina. This coating will ensure you get a crispy oven chip every time.
You can also try using a healthy oil, like coconut, for other health benefits.
9. Poach, Don’t Fry!
Poaching is another great way to cook foods you’d usually fry!
Take eggs for example; if you usually fry your eggs, try poaching them next time. Cooking them in hot water means you aren’t using any oils in the cooking process.
Poached eggs are super healthy, and tasty; you aren’t covering up any of the natural flavour of the eggs with oil.
As well as eggs:
You can poach fish, fruit and even chicken, with scrummy results!
Educating yourself is crucial when it comes to eating well. Rather than denying yourself or overindulging just a few tweaks here and there won’t have you missing out on anything.
Turn these ideas and behaviours in habits to ensure you lead the healthiest lifestyle possible (while still enjoying it)!
Which of these healthy college snacks food swaps did you like best?
Leave me a comment to let me know about which healthy food swaps you like to make. I can always use more yummy ideas!
Also Read:
About Guest Author, Brittnay
Brittnay is an Australian with a BA in health science. Her family has been house sitting in London for the past two years and recently moved home to Melbourne. She has a passion for travel and providing a healthy lifestyle for family & others. You can find out all about her on The Nut Butter Hub, and if you’re interested in her house sitting she has a guide here.