10 Cheap and Healthy Snacks for College Students

Because college students are notoriously busy, they often go without the proper amount of sleep at night. They also tend to subsist on pizza and burgers when they know they really should slip in a salad and yogurt once in awhile. College students are also known for a distinct lack of funds to spend on good, healthy food, so they eat whatever’s on sale, or cheap to begin with, such as macaroni and cheese. That doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t alternatives available. Here are a few suggestions for cheap and healthy snacks for college students.

Trail Mix

Among the most popular snacks is trail mix, which is really nothing more than a mixture of healthy foods that people eat by the handful, or one at a time. Trail mix can be purchased from a store or you can make it yourself. Homemade trail mix can include whatever you choose to put into it. A good trail mix should lean heavily toward proteins and carbohydrates. Ingredients could include mixed nuts, dried fruits, and a dry cereal. For flavor, a few morsels of chocolate can be added to sweeten the mix.

Apples and Other Fruits

The old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" has its basis in fact. Apples are a healthy food. They are also low cost and easy to carry. An orange is also a good choice for a snack. They contain a huge amount of vitamin C, and are naturally sweet. You can always mix things up by varying the kind of fruit you eat as a snack, such as a peach or pear.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches always make a good snack. In fact, they often serve as a meal along with a bowl of soup and some crackers. Sandwiches can be more than a piece of meat slapped between two slices of bread. Insert a piece of cheese, some lettuce, and a slice of tomato and you have a tasty, healthy snack--make sure the bread is whole wheat or rye, or some other healthy variety. Some people prefer an even simpler sandwich--peanut butter.

Granola Bars or Power Bars

Granola bars or power bars are also a good choice for a cheap and healthy snack. They have a combination of ingredients that offer a mixture of tastes while providing an energy boost. There are many recipes for granola bars or power bars, and they can be homemade easily. You can also purchase granola bars and power bars at stores. They are cheap and contain vitamins and minerals that will help you stay healthy, and they do it without a lot of calories.

Mixed Nuts

A handful of mixed nuts popped in your mouth between classes can help you maintain a high energy level and keep away hunger pains. Mixed nuts are a healthy alternative to grabbing a burger or a slice of pizza. They are filling and loaded with protein. By buying a large can and keeping it in your dorm room for refills you will save money. Use a plastic bag to put some mixed nuts in that you can carry with you to class.

Fruit Juice

Because college dorms are a breeding ground for cold and flu germs you should be extra careful to maintain a high percentage of vitamin C in your diet. Drinking fruit juice can help, but make sure it's 100% fruit juice and not a fruit flavored drink. The only caveat with 100% fruit juice is that it's fairly high in calories, so drink sparingly.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a good substitute for fresh fruit because it doesn’t require fancy storage. College students may not have the means to keep a lot of fresh fruit on hand, but dried fruits can be carried in a plastic bag and munched on between classes or while studying.

Vegetables

Another proven healthy food is vegetables. Although it’s not feasible to carry around a can of corn or peas, you can always stick a few carrots in a plastic bag and eat them during a break in studies. Some people even like to snack on raw green beans fresh from the garden, or a vegetable stand.

Peanut Butter

The good old standby, peanut butter is considered a very healthy snack food because it’s high in protein. Although many people prefer their peanut butter fresh from the jar, using a spoon or their fingers, spreading it between a couple slices of whole wheat bread can provide a much needed pick-me-up.

100 Calorie Packs

A major national brand company has seen the benefits of having a healthy, inexpensive snack available, so they've begun marketing 100 calorie packs of some of their items. Although some will question whether or not these items are truly healthy, they do have some merits. Going on the theory of ‘"everything in moderation" foods such as cookies, crackers, and pretzels can provide a filling snack. They can be considered healthy to a certain extent because you are only consuming 100 calories per pack.