Vending machines can be found on virtually every college campus. Passing by them, you probably can’t help but feel a little tempted to grab a bag of chips or cookies on the way to class. After all, you don’t want your stomach growling once you get there, right?
I must admit that I myself am a bit of a snack fiend. During my freshman year, I practically lived off of peanut butter pretzels, granola bars and crackers. (I’m also a bit of a carboholic, as you can see.) But since then, I have fortunately incorporated healthier foods to satisfy my snacking habit. I have also found that snacking throughout the day is actually good for you. It keeps you energized, alert and ready to plow through reading and assignments.
Photo courtesy of Diets in Review.
The key to smart snacking is picking the right foods. As a rule of thumb, avoid items that are packed with simple carbohydrates, like many packaged cereals and candy. (Yup, that means you’ll have to forgo your usual Snickers bar and the likes.) If you’re not sure which snacks are made up of simple carbohydrates, check the ingredients label on the back of packages. If sugar or corn syrup is toward the top of those listed, you have a simple carbohydrate in your hands. These types of food do not offer many vitamins and minerals, so instead, look for foods that contain complex carbohydrates. Whole-grain bread, carrots and almonds are a few examples. These types of food are usually high in fiber and provide many nutrients. Plus, your body takes a longer time to digest complex carbohydrates, so you’ll feel fuller longer.
Another ingredient to avoid is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is a trans fat. It raises “bad” cholesterol and lowers “good” cholesterol. It is found in many snack foods, like cookies and candy, and also in many foods you might have assumed are healthy—like granola bars.
Moderation is a must when it comes to snacking. Become more aware of suggested portion sizes and read serving size information on the back of packaged items. You might be surprised by how many servings are in relatively small snack packs.
Mindless eating in front of the television is a no-no when it comes to portion-control. It seems impossible to stop stuffing our faces when we’re in the middle of a good show, and all of those mouth-watering food commercials don’t help matters either.
Now all you need is the willpower to avoid those vending machines, and voila—smart snacking at your fingertips.
