When you are staring at a book or computer screen for hours on end during revision time, or twenty pages deep in your dissertation, the last thing you want is a rumbling belly. However, we all know the feeling when you’re three packets of crisps down and you feel like you are covered in grease and have just taken a crisp bath, which doesn’t help with the revision blues.

Here I have suggested some tasty snacks that will keep your energy levels up and offer a large volume of food to keep you entertained, offering a gratifying amount of hand to mouth action, but without making you feel too gross.

Popcorn
As well as buying packs of flavoured popcorn, you can buy popcorn kernels for under £2 (I got mine from Asda online), then you just pour a little bit into a pan with some oil, cover with a lid and heat until they have all popped into masses of popcorn. You can also do this in the microwave in a bowl covered with a plate. Then sprinkle over some salt and pepper, maybe some sriracha, or honey and cinnamon if you want something sweet.

Jazzed-up yoghurt
Plain yoghurt sprinkled with berries, dried fruit, nuts and dark chocolate make a filling, protein-filled snack without all the sugar that you get in flavoured yoghurts.

Fruit bowl surprise
Eating a big bowl, or even a whole punnet of fruit is really satisfying and guilt-free, but it’s fun to mix in a sprinkle of something else a bit more treat-y for a nice little surprise. Try these mixes:
Blueberries with dark chocolate covered raisins.
Raspberries with flaked almonds.
Cherry tomatoes with cubes of cheese.

Rice cakes with toppings
I love rice cakes, you can eat so many without feeling rubbish and they are such a good base for toppings. Pile up your plate with rice cakes and try these on top:
Peanut butter and sliced banana – a classic. You could also add some cinnamon and desiccated coconut, or try strawberries or blueberries instead of banana.
Mashed avocado with lemon juice and chilli flakes.
Tahini, sliced tomato, cucumber, salt and pepper.

Veggie sticks and dips
There is no reason to feel bad about eating a whole cucumber. You could also use carrot, peppers, celery and tomatoes. Dip the chopped veggies into some hummus, yoghurt mixed with lemon juice, herbs, salt and pepper, or mashed avocado with lime juice, chilli flakes and salt and pepper.

Things with peanut butter
The ultimate snacking aid. If I’m out and about, I often like to bring a mini Tupperware with a bit of peanut butter or almond butter in it, and then dip apple slices, dates, rice cakes or grapes into it.

THE BEST SHOP-BOUGHT SNACKS
Nakd bars – all natural ingredients and very filling.
Metcalfe’s popcorn/Propercorn – lots of fun flavours.
Mini tubs of plain yoghurt – then get some fruit and nuts to make your own jazzed-up yoghurt on the go!

 

Patsy O’Neill

 

Image courtesy of www.theviewfromfiveten.com.