Healthy Snacks & How to Store Them in Style!

The first time I ate in my college dining hall was the first time I realized that putting on that Freshman 15 wasn’t due to just drinking more alcohol. How on earth can I avoid the temptation of returning to the dessert bar…three times?

Never in my life had tons of food been readily available to me and all paid for. The moment I saw the glimmer of that giant soft serve machine was the moment I knew I was doomed. But I’ve found the solution, people! By keeping some delicious (and healthy) snacks in my room constantly, it’s easier to avoid extras at every meal in the dining hall by reminding myself I can healthfully indulge in between meals. Worried about looking like a food hoarder? I’ve included some cute ways to display your morsels of goodness.

1. Hershey’s Kisses

If you haven’t had a Hershey’s Kiss in a while, let me tell you– they last WAY longer than you’d expect, especially if you let them melt in your mouth. At 25 calories each, you could have four or five before you hit the hay. Plus, they look really cute in a curvy apothecary jar, and I promise you’ll have friends stopping by juuust a little more often if the jar has easy access to visitors. Bonus points for buying the red and green foils during the holidays.

2. Energy Bars

I don’t know about you, but I’m a HUGE energy bar fan. I love trying new ones and have found a few winners for both taste and nutrition: Kashi TLC bars, Powerbar Pria bars (110 calories) and Luna Bars (usually around 180 calories– or try the Mini versions at 80 calories!). Try asking around for any old vintage cigar boxes. I have tons of beautiful yellow wooden cases that are the perfect size! Nowadays people are making these cigar boxes into purses by adding a handle, but they’ll fit nicely in your desk drawer or could be displayed on your shelf!

3. Flavored Almonds

I know, I know, what is the flavored part about? If you’ve hit up any supermarkets recently, you may have seen Blue Diamond’s line of Natural Roasted Almonds in colorful cup-holder-friendly containers. But they’re not just ANY almonds– they come in Vanilla, Cinnamon Brown Sugar, Salted and Unsalted. I wanted to incorporate almonds into my diet but couldn’t make myself until I found these delicious things. As an added bonus, there’s portion control markers on the side of the container so it’ll be easier for us to use moderation. The container ain’t too hard on the eyes, either.

4. Fresh Fruit

Try to grab some extra fresh fruit to take back to your room next time you’re at a meal. Apples seem to last a little longer than, say, peaches…but it all depends on your preference. Bananas are filling, apples have great crunch, and oranges improve your mood. Fruit is a great pick me up between class and you can grab one of them on your way out the door. Try to get your hands on a colorful ceramic bowl to keep them in. If you know you love orange fruit, try to get a blue one to compliment the color. Also, if your mother is like mine and gave you a big glass vase for your room (assuming, of course, you’d have time or energy to keep fresh flowers…silly mother), you could easily keep an apple collection in the vase. Spas do it all the time! If you like dried fruit, store them in the apothecary jars as I suggested for the Hershey’s Kisses.

5. Air-pop popcorn, Pita Chips, Quakes, Pretzels

Some of my favorite healthy snacks come in similar size snack bags– Stacy’s Pita Chips, Quakes, Rold Gold Pretzels, and Orville Redenbacher 100-calorie Smart Pop. Convenience, health, and excitement all in one! Stacy’s Pita Chips and Quakes are so good you definitely don’t regret avoiding their greasy counterpart – the potato chip. Orville’s Smart Popcorn is only one hundred calories, and let me tell you– you get a LOT of bang for your calorie buck. I eat them constantly and am pleasantly surprised every single time by the sheer volume of popcorn you get for 100 calories. If you’re looking for a cute way to store them, buy a rectangular, long wicker basket and snuggle all your packs next to each other. You could keep the basket on a shelf or above your bookcase.

So there you have it! Good luck beginning your career as a healthy, chic-ly stocked chick!