Over the past week I’ve been looking at foods that me, my girl friends, and other girls around me eat consistently every day, and I’ve found that most college girls have a trifecta: yogurt, peanut butter, bananas (or any sort of fruit). And that’s all well and good, but I think we can do a little better, get a little more creative, and add a little extra nutrition.

Yogurt

This is a blanket term that includes all forms of yogurt: greek, regular, organic, you name it.

Chances are as a college girl this is a go-to at least once a day, as it should be, as yogurt boosts immunities, promotes colon health, is easier to digest than milk, helps with intestinal infections, and is a great source of calcium.

Here’s some ways to upgrade this staple: try yogurt with granola, or add real chunks of cut up fruit to make a parfait. If you have some extra time in the kitchen, add a few dime-sized dollops to a cookie sheet and freeze to make yogurt drops. You can also add yogurt into a healthy smoothie with flax seeds, protein powder, milk and bananas.

Peanut butter

Seriously, a girl’s best friend. A great source of protein and healthy amino acids. Tastes good on everything, and makes everything taste good.

A few creative ways to upgrade this staple: eat with a banana for a healthy snack to tide you over between classes, or spread on top of a waffle and add banana slices. Dip some chocolate covered pretzels into peanut butter for a sinfully sweet and salty snack.

Bananas

Substitute this with any fruit really, but I’ve noticed that bananas are usually the first fruit to run out in the dining hall. Goes great with anything, doesn’t leave a lot of mess, and packs a punch – bananas are a great source of potassium, promotes bone health, contains a lot of vitamin B6, and some recent studies have indicated that they can help prevent cancer.

Upgrade your favorite fruit: For a great low-cal snack that’s healthy and filling, try adding banana slices to a piece of whole grain bread with peanut butter or honey. You can also add bananas to healthy smoothies – cut up bananas and add protein powder and milk for a quick and healthy post-workout snack!

What do you think?

What are your staple foods that you can’t live without? Did any of these match up? How do you upgrade your staple foods? Share with us in the comments section below!

4 Comments

  1. avatar K says:

    Oatmeal+dried berries (‘replump’ when cooked in the oats rather than sprinkled on after)+honey=two minute hot breakfast from the microwave.
    The big containers of oats are super cheap and last for months after they’ve been opened plus it’s healthy and there are so many ways to change it up

  2. avatar bangeveryguyisee says:

    PIZZA AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS

  3. avatar Guest says:

    My favorite snack is toasted whole wheat bread drizzled in honey. So delicious!

  4. avatar cancan says:

    I’m not a fan of bananas and peanut butter. I’ve tried it and I don’t know what it is, maybe the texture and consistency, just leaves me feeling… gross and puke-y.

    But, something that’s AMAZING with peanut butter is honey! Like, instead of a PB&J sandwich (’cause I also have aversion to jams) you have a PB&Honey sandwich. Tastes amazing! Can be a little messy though…

    I think honey is also healthier than jam..?

x

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