Now is the time when many students pack up their meager belonging and head off to college.  For some it is the first time living without the parents.  For many it is a return to the unhealthy lifestyle that is prevalent among college students.  College, especially the first year, is synonymous with weight gain.  The midnight pizza runs, constant beer consumption, and unhealthy snacking that is a staple of college life leads many unaccustomed freshman to gain the dreaded “Freshmen 15.”

But college doesn’t have to be a weight gain trap.  Students that are mindful of their actions can prevent any weight gain by exercising and watching what they eat.  How can they eat right in the midst of a crazy schedule and life?  Keeping healthy snacks in the dorm is key to living healthy while in school.  Read on for a list of great, easy healthy snacks for college students.

Fresh fruit. Fruit might not seem like the easiest or most obvious choice for college students who generally survive on a diet of only processed foods.  However, it is a great choice.  Fruit that doesn’t need refrigeration can be kept on hand in a bowl or fruit basket.  It can easily be grabbed when hungry instead of reaching for the pizza box.  You can easily keep bananas, apples, oranges, plums, nectarines, peaches, and grapes around in plain site in the dorm for quick, healthy snacks.

Whole grain cereal. Keeping a box of healthy cereal you can pour and eat from the box is a great idea for college students.  It’s a great late night snack.  Cereal is a great carb option as long as you eat the good stuff and avoid the sugary cereals.

Microwaveable popcorn. Mmmm.  What college student wouldn’t want a little popcorn with that movie they are watching instead of studying?   Popcorn, as long as you don’t slather it in butter, can be a healthy and satisfying treat.   Most brands even sell 100 calorie packs so you can limit the snacking.

Sugar free pudding cups. Instead of snacking on unhealthy desserts, college student can keep tasty  sugar free snacks like pudding around.  It tastes good and doesn’t pack a lot of calories.  It’s a staple of many dieters who have a sweet tooth.  It’s easily fits inside a mini fridge or can be kept at room temperature for a still delicious snack.

These are just four suggestions for healthy snacks for dorm rooms.  There are tons of other options for college students who want to stay healthy and lose weight.  They just need to look past the pizza and beer.