With the start of the school year underway, it is vital for students to put themselves in the best position to succeed. One of the most important parts of thriving in school is avoiding distractions during the school day. According to No Kid Hungry, 80% of teachers observed that hunger negatively impacts student concentration, with 76% also seeing a decrease in academic performance.
Snacks are one of the best ways to keep any student focused and energetic throughout the day, but not every snack provides the same benefits. The type of snack a student eats can depend on their mood or preferences, so here are some snacks I find to be very beneficial to eat during the school day, ordered from healthiest to least healthy.
Fresh Fruit/Vegetables:
For a more refreshing and healthy snack, fresh fruit or vegetables are a great way to go. Whether it’s orange slices, an apple or a banana, fruit is a great way to sneak in a snack full of nutrition in order to contain hunger in between classes.
Some of my favorite snacks that involve fruits or vegetables include apples and peanut butter, carrots and hummus and celery. Although these are not as filling as other snacks, they are a great way to have a hearty, healthy snack as opposed to a heavier snack that will take away anyone’s appetite from lunch.
Protein bars:
For a snack that is extremely filling but also healthy, bars are an excellent snack. They are easily portable and can also be eaten at any point during the day, especially if a student is in need of an energy boost.
Some popular protein bars that I particularly enjoy include Quest Bars, Luna Bars and Clif Bars. While all of these are tasty, they also all serve different purposes. To prioritize low sugar and high protein, I would recommend going with Quest Bars. However, if one doesn’t mind the sugar and wants more energy for the day, Clif Bars are the best option. Lastly, for a more natural-flavored bar, Luna Bars are perfect.
Wonderpop:
Wonderpop is an under-the-radar brand that is similar to popcorn, offering more diverse flavor options and profiles. The light, crunchy snack is in the shape of a ball and currently comes in three flavors: White Cheddar, Chili Limon and Cinnamon Burst. According to their website, they are a “healthy low-calorie superfood snack.”
Crafted from nutrient-rich seeds, Wonderpop consists of popped water lily seeds, with only two and a half grams of fat and 90 calories as compared to other types of popcorn, which offers six grams of fat and 110 calories per serving. Wonderpop is a great option for a healthy snack alternative to popcorn, while staying away from the usual starchy, less healthy chips.
Cheese and crackers:
Cheese and crackers are a great snack that’s a little heavier than fruit, but also slightly healthier than other snack options. Whether wanting to eat just cheese, just crackers or both, this is a great, protein-filled snack that provides high energy throughout the day.
This snack is not hard to prepare, and one can even keep a box of crackers in their locker, so all they have to do in the morning is fill a bag with cheese. Both components of this salty snack complement each other extremely well, fulfilling their purpose of being tasty and filling.
Trader Joe’s Chips:
Walking around the halls of JDS, one might notice the number of colorful lime and pink colored bags that students are eating from. These bags contain Trader Joe’s Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, a great snack due to their bold and spicy flavor and unique shape. However, even though they are delicious, they are not the healthiest, so it is important to eat them in moderation.
If the Chili and Lime chips appeal to anyone, I would also recommend trying other chips from Trader Joe’s, such as the Kettle Cooked Rosemary and Sea Salt Potato Chips and the Sweet and Spicy Cracker Mix. The kettle cooked chips come in a standard size for a bag of chips, but their flavor pairs exceptionally well with any meal and will be especially filling during the school day.
On the other hand, the Sweet and Spicy Cracker Mix is more of an unorthodox snack, having three types of snacks put into one bag. This gluten-free snack is filled with crunchy rice crackers of different shapes and textures, half of which have been coated with sugar, while the other half are covered in a spicy paprika-and-chile-powder coating.
Whether it’s fresh fruit and vegetables or Chili and Lime Chips, the best snacks are the ones that balance nutrition with convenience. It’s also important to experiment with different snacks and determine which types and quantities work best for the school day. With little planning, snacks are a great way to improve academic performance and also make a big difference in energy, focus and overall health throughout the day.
