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Brain food for finals

When seasons change, so do our pallets. The days are filled with sunny skies and longer nights, as we approach summer. With more daylight, it leaves more options to space out your time and start new hobbies or get back to old ones. A great way to stay motivated for healthy habits is to keep things fresh. Trying out new recipes is a great way to practice being a mindful eater and get excited about eating healthy.

A lot of students are  approaching finals; this can bring a lot of added stress to an already stressful semester. However, “a well-balanced diet provides important vitamins, minerals and nutrients to keep the body and mind strong and healthy” (Snapfitness.com). Eating brain food can make all the difference when trying to focus on studying and exams. But besides that, who doesn’t love learning a new favorite, easy weekday snack. Here are some delicious and nutrient-dense snacks to enjoy any time of the day.

Avocado Toast 

 Avocados provide a great natural source of fat.

  • Slice of toasted bread 
  • Avocado 
  • Lemon juice 
  • Salt and pepper 

Mix together avocado, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.

Spread on toast.

Optional: Put a fried egg on top for extra protein.

Yogurt bowls 

 Loaded with calcium, protein and vitamins, this is the perfect snack to get as creative as you want.

Grab a bowl and dump in your favorite yogurt.

Then fill with all your favorite toppings, such as raspberries, banana slices, flax seeds, almond butter and coconut flakes.

Turkey wraps 

 A great source of protein during the day with no effort to cook.

Wrap your favorite type of cheese in oven-roasted sliced turkey breast lunch meat. Stick it with a toothpick so it stays together.

Optional: Pair with baby carrots or celery with ranch dressing.

Peanut butter protein balls 

 Loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you full and loaded with energy throughout the day.

  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter 
  •  1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  •  1/2 cup ground flax seeds 
  • 2 tablespoons honey 

Combine cup peanut butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, oats, flax seeds and honey in a bowl.

Place in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. Roll into bite-sized balls.

Cottage cheese with fruit 

 A great snack before bed high in fiber.

Fill a bowl with cottage cheese and top with your favorite fruits, such as grapes, blueberries and pineapple.

Christelle Temple is an WVU honors sophomore. She contributes a weekly column on health, fitness and motivation. Follow her on Instagram @ellesbells2. Contact her at columns@DominionPost.com