Healthy Snacks for Your Backpack

October 5th, 2009

On campus, you may be faced with a food challenge: healthy food can be few and far between, and on top of that, finding portable food that you can stash in your backpack is even harder. With this guide, you’ll be able to put together a wide variety of snacks that are easy to keep in your backpack and are great for maintaining your energy throughout your school day.

String cheese. Although it won’t keep all day in the hot sun, string cheese has a pretty good life outside of the refrigerator. Eat a bit of string cheese for your mid-morning snack and you’ll have a nice boost of protein that can help you build strong bones and keep going through the day.

Popcorn. Healthy food may be hard to find on campus, but microwaves certainly aren’t. Pop into convenience stores, lounges, and other places to find a microwave and get a fresh bag of popcorn to much on. Just be sure to choose a variety that’s low in fat without a whole lot of added butter and salt.

PB&J. It’s a staple of childhood lunchboxes, and it has a home in your backpack, too. If you’re starving and can’t quite break for a mal, the fats in peanut butter can help satisfy your hunger for a while. Invest in a good sandwich container so that your PB&J doesn’t get squished in your backpack, or worse, end up splattered all over.

Vegetables are surprisingly hardy and can make a great backpack snack. Cut up celery and eat it with peanut butter, or try carrot sticks with ranch. These are snacks you can feel great about eating, and don’t take up a whole lot of room in your bag.

Many fruits are ultraportable, and can give you the nutrients and nutrition you need to make it through the day. Consider adding a banana, orange, apple, or other easily stashed fruits to your backpack for a healthy treat that can offer plenty of refreshment.

Finding healthy college snacks can be a challenge, but if you carefully plan your food and think about what works for your diet and energy needs, you can find great solutions. Try the snacks we’ve suggested here and think about what else might work for you so that you can avoid hitting the vending machine, and instead enjoy fresh, healthy foods to snack on.

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