Thursday, October 1, 2009

Easy Snacks for the Dorm

Here are some easy snacks that I enjoy in the dorm. They require little or no prep and are nutritious. Not to mention DELICIOUS! Some of my favorites are....

Triscuits and Cheese
Triscuits come in many flavors like Rosemary and Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper and Sun Dried Tomato. They are made with whole wheat and have fiber and protein. They do have MSG which is good to know if you have an MSG intolerance or allergy. Unfortunately it's really hard to find a perfect cracker. This is the least of the evils and it's tasty. You can pair this with any semi-soft cheese. I like Mini Babybel cheeses. They come in a little red mesh bag in the deli cheese section. They are individually wrapped in cellophane and wax which keeps them fresh and tasty for a long time in the fridge. It also makes portioning them out easy.

A variation of this is Wheat Thins and Cheese which I like with different cheeses because wheat thins have a different texture and flavor. I like Reduced Fat Wheat Thins. Unfortunately they have high fructose corn syrup. It's just impossible to find a cracker without some kind of BS in it. But they have whole wheat and are enriched with goodies. With Wheat Thins I like Laughing Cow Spreadable Cheese Wedges. This brand of cheese is also found in the deli cheese section and comes in many flavors like Original Swiss, French Onion and Garlic Herb. They are all delicious. I prefer the light versions of these cheeses. They are soft, spreadable and delicious! They come in a round cardboard container and are individually wrapped which again makes it easy to portion. I just love those tasty little cheeses!!!

Fruits are easy to keep in a dorm and make for good quick snacking. A favorite pairing is crackers, cheese and grapes. This is a classic french pairing and makes for a great breakfast on the go! Some that I recommend are bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and apples. Fruit salad is another good way to get a snack with fruit. You can make it at the beginning of the week and graze on it throughout.

Hummus is a Middle Eastern spread made from chick peas, sesame paste, garlic, lemon juice and spices. It has a tangy flavor that is really satisfying! Traditionally, pita is dipped in it. Pita is like a Middle Eastern tortilla. It usually has a pocket in the middle and is sometimes called pocket bread. However you can also dip tortilla chips, tortillas, crackers (Wheat Thins or Triscuits) or spread it on a sandwich with veggies. It is a truly versatile food and is carried in most grocery stores now. Which is great because when I was little nobody knew what the heck I was talking about. I was virtually raised on the stuff and I just love it. Garlic is great for you. It has anti-inflammatory properties which are great for fighting infection. Also the legumes have good protein.

Nuts are also very very easy to keep. My pick is Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts. They are lightly salted and not oily like some nuts. For variety, try mixed nuts! You get a variety of nuts with a variety of health benefits. Variety is the key to getting all your nutrients that you need.

Baby carrots are SO good. They make for easy grazing food and come in individual packages. The individual packaging makes it good to throw in a purse or bag when on-the-go.

Amended: 10/709

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