Serious(ly Healthy) Study Snacking

Zoe Carr
Oct 6, 2017
4 min read

So I am a hungry person...always. And I have found that I am extremely hungry whenever I am doing school work, especially if it's on the computer. An article published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that doing intellectual work can cause a big jump in a person's caloric intake. Because studying, and snacking, are inevitable, I decided to compile a list of healthier snacks to reach for when you're cravings spike!

Peanut Butter: Peanut Butter is a great snack to have because it is high in protein, but only if it's in moderation. While it sure is fun to stick a spoon in the jar and go to town, that truly defeats the purpose of it being a "healthy" snack. Skip the spoon and grab some apple slices, or my personal favorite, celery.
Popcorn: Instead of reaching for potato chips, I like to grab some popcorn as a better alternative when studying. I love chips, don't get me wrong, but I don't like the greasy residue that is left behind on my computer keyboard or whatever paper I am writing on. The reason I like to grab for some popcorn is because I can find some that is less greasy, but still provides that satisfying crunch when chowing down. A personal favorite that I keep stocked in my cupboard is BoomChickaPop, not only because the product is delicious, but because the company strives to be very clean for the eater. My favorite type is their sea salt, and it's great because it has a salty taste without having to go overboard.
Fruit: I am a self-proclaimed fruit fanatic, and will pretty much eat any that is placed in front of me. However, because I am a child, I like smaller fruits that are easier to eat with my fingers, which is something especially important if I am a. studying or b. in a rush. Some of my favorites that I'll grab no matter the season are apples (any kind EXCEPT for Granny Smith), bananas, and red seedless grapes. These are really great foods to keep on hand not just for studying, but are definitely easy to transport if you have to the library or an on-campus meeting!
Nuts: Like peanut butter, nuts are a great, protein rich snack for studying. There are so many varieties that your options are as close to endless as possible. I am a huge fan of grabbing a container of mixed nuts, that way I am really able to reap the benefits of the different options. If you're feeling like you need a little pick me up after your day, or you're just trying to spruce up your go-to snack, you can always make a DIY trail mix by throwing in some dried fruit and mini dark chocolate chips.
Veggies: Vegetables are another great snack to grab because there are so many choices, and like fruit, I will eat pretty much any veggie you throw at me. Some of my personal favorites, because they are nutritious, delicious, and easy to grab, are celery, baby carrots, cucumbers, and green peppers. It's so important to get you're daily dose of vegetables, and it's easy to do this if you keep your fridge stocked with these tasty treats. Tip: if you're not a fan of eating them plain, grab some peanut butter or check out some low-fat veggie dip and be on your merry way!
Cheese: Honestly, cheese is one of my favorite foods, period. It comes in so many shapes, flavors, and forms, and has some many incredible purposes. Cheese is something I have found to be something I snack on frequently, because it is a great source of not only protein, but also calcium. I am not a big dairy person, therefore I have to take calcium supplements, but I find that cheese is the one form I can stand. I could honestly rave about cheese and how much I love it for a good 20 minutes, but getting to the point of studying, string cheese is such an easy and affordable snack for just about everyone. It's great because it is something you can throw in your bag to snack on between classes, or when you meet a group in the library, and even when you get home. Not only that, but there is something just so completely satisfying about pulling the cheese apart.
Water: While this is the most boring option on the list, and isn't technically a snack, water is one of the most important. If you know you're having a bomb dinner later and want to skip your snack, grab a glass of water and go to town on that. Not only are there no calories, it's also something both your mind and body need to thrive. Making sure to get your eight glasses of water a day is very important, and by grabbing some before studying you are helping to ensure that you get all of the water you need.

One of my personal favorite study snacks, or honestly just favorite snack in general, is ants on a log. And if you don't know what I'm talking about...then what rock have you been living under?? I wouldn't say I was a picky eater as a child, but I am also not going to tell you I was the easiest to deal with...especially when it came to eating my vegetables. So my parents got creative. I can remember opening my lunch in the first grade and seeing celery, peanut butter, and raisins all together and 100% thinking ew, but boy was I wrong. This combo, know to many as ants on a log, was not only delicious, but extremely fun. I remember requesting that my dad continue to pack them in my lunch, and boy was I mad on the days that I didn't. How many years later and here I am, still completely loving this snack. Not only is it easy and cheap to make, but it's fun. Taking five minutes to throw everything together is a great way rid myself of the stress that built up during the day and to take a deep breath before jumping into homework. Would I say this is a snack really geared towards children? Absolutely! BUT, would I recommend it to just about everyone? 100%!