Proper nutrition is a very important, and often overlooked, aspect of student life. Poor eating habits can make it hard to concentrate and adversely affect your grades. It can be easy to rationalize skipping meals or eating junk food, but those decisions will catch up with you eventually. To help make eating healthy a little more fun, we have put together a list of fun fall snacks.
One great fall snack is apples. Caramel apples and apple donuts are all front and center at many grocery stores. These are great snacks in moderation, but if you're looking for something portable and guilt-free, we recommend apple chips. Baked apple chips are delicious, healthy, and easy to make. Cinnamon and sugar make great additions in moderation. They are featured in this recipe courtesy of Sally's Baking Addiction: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/07/22/baked-cinnamon-apple-chips/
Another quick and fun twist on a fall staple is cranberry granola. Granola is perfect for some quick energy before or between classes, and like apple chips, it is easy to make. Rachel Ray recommends oats, maple syrup, almonds, cinnamon, and cranberries:http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/fast-recipes/cranberry-granola. Experiment with adding different nuts and fruits to your granola, but just be mindful of the ratio of oats, wet ingredients, and additional dry ingredients. You’ll find that cranberry granola makes a delicious fall treat.
Next, it wouldn't be autumn without carrot cake. If you are craving carrot cake but not all the calories, then we have you covered. Angela Liddon has turned a traditional dessert into a healthy breakfast drink with her carrot cake smoothie:http://ohsheglows.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6001787. Fresh carrot and banana are a great way to jumpstart your day. This recipe is vegan friendly and highly customizable. Recommended toppings include shredded coconut and walnuts, and a tablespoon of flavored protein powder can be added at your discretion.
A warm, hearty meal on a cool fall evening is one of life's simple pleasures. This next fall recipe is neither simple nor a snack, but it is worth making time for this season. Baked macaroni and cheese is the perfect fuel for a long night of studying. Our favorite recipe calls for two kinds of cheese, plenty of spices, and of course, Panko breadcrumbs:http://www.versesfrommykitchen.com/2013/10/autumn-classics-man-made-mac-cheese.html. Cooking can be a great way to clear your mind between academic tasks, and this recipe is perfect for a midterm break.
Our final recipe for you is an autumn indulgence, Pumpkin Snickerdoodles: http://dlynz.com/?p=3288. If you just have to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies will do the trick. Consider picking up an extra pumpkin this year and making your own puree if you want to keep it healthy!
We hope you enjoy these recipes and they help get you through your day!
