Midterm munchies
Britta Schiemann | Fulcrum Contributor
WELCOME TO MIDTERMS: when sleeping hours decrease, caffeine intake skyrockets, and snack habits are in full force.
The occasional study snack seems harmless, but during this stressful time of year, it’s counterproductive to try to fuel your body with junk food. What your body needs is food packed with nutrients and energy to keep you going without crashing after a few hours.
Instead of grabbing a sugary energy drink and a bag of chips for your next cram session, try one of these healthy snack ideas that will give you the fuel you need to ace those midterms. The key is adding protein and healthy fats whenever you can—they keep your tummy from rumbling and satisfy you more.
Trail mix
This is a great snack because the protein in nuts and seeds will keep you full for long periods of time. Control what goes into your trail mix by choosing your own ingredients (Bulk Barn has a great selection). That way you are eating exactly what you want, and it may even spare you a few dollars, because pre-packaged trail mix can be mighty expensive. If you want, you can even toss a few chocolate chips in there to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Hummus and carrots
Easy, popular, and always a good idea. Hummus—made primarily from chickpeas—gives you protein, and the carrots are loaded with vitamins and fibre.
Apple slices and almond butter
You know what they say—an apple a day keeps the doctor away! To make this a little more exciting, you can slice your apple, add almond butter, and sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Rice cakes with nut butter and jam
The rice cakes don’t add a lot of nutritional value, but they sure make up for that in crunchiness! Take two rice cakes, put a dollop of nut butter on top, and add some toppings. Jam is always a go-to, but you can be creative with honey, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or whatever your heart desires.
Protein pudding
In a bowl, mix together one scoop of your favourite protein powder and 2/3 cup of yogurt. If you are using Greek yogurt, you might want to add a few splashes of milk (almond, soy, dairy, etc.) to give it a creamy consistency. Add any toppings you like—fresh berries and nuts are great—and enjoy!
