Snack Smarter With These Healthy Snacks for Teens

By Ava Cooyar, Teen Journalist

Assummer winds down, it is time to plan for the new school year. An important part of staying healthy and strong through the stress of school is food. Having snacks that fuel you during the day is vital. Healthy snacks can taste good, as long as they are balanced. Here are some fun, easy, and nutritious snacks to kickstart your great school year.

Homemade Trail Mix

Making a custom trail mix for yourself is a great option! You can control what ingredients you add to ensure you get the best nutrients for yourself and the things you like. Nuts such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts contain various proteins, minerals, and micronutrients. They are the key component of a delicious trail mix! Once you’ve picked a few of those, you can add dried fruits that are full of fiber. Just make sure not to go overboard! Dried fruit has a lot of sugar. In case you would rather have something chocolatey in your trail mix, try dark chocolate chunks. While they may have small amounts of sugar, they are high in antioxidants. A well-balanced trail mix consumed in moderation can lower health risks. Feel free to get creative!

Hummus

Did you know hummus is very high in fiber, vitamins, and protein? This makes it a great food to have during break or lunch. Pair it with anything you want; such as pita bread, or crackers. Bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots are also great options for veggies!

Edamame

Perhaps you have not considered edamame in the past for a healthy snack… but you should now! Despite their small size, they are packed with plant-based protein, iron, and amino acids. You can even add whatever spices you like or add them to a salad. If you don’t want to deal with the “shells” you can buy pre-cooked edamame! There are so many interesting recipes to make with edamame.

Homemade Granola Bars

While granola bars are a simple snack that most people have had, you likely haven’t made them yourself! Many store-bought bars are full of added sugar. When you make them at home, you can control what is added and make sure that it is healthy. Making them isn’t all that difficult. If you want to make it even more convenient, turn your trail mix into some delicious bars from scratch!

Overnight Oats

You may have heard about the overnight oats trend! If not, overnight oats are a simple no-cook method to make oatmeal overnight. This is a great addition to your brunch break in the morning. Making these simple oats only takes 5 minutes– then you simply leave them overnight! By itself, this snack contains lots of protein, fiber, and nutrients. However, you can add all kinds of things to your oats, like chia seeds, yogurt, fresh or dried fruit, and nuts. Overnight oats are a perfect morning snack that can be made the night before and save you some time!

These well-balanced snacks will help you balance school and your social life! Don’t forget to let your creativity flow and try new things when customizing your snacks. Thanks to these delicious energyboosting treats, you are going to enter the school year strong and healthy. Good luck!

Ava Cooyar is a junior at San Ramon Valley High School. She has lived in Danville for nearly ten years and is passionate about the community, serving as a member of the Danville Youth Council and Teen Advisory Board member for the Danville Library.

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