Intuitive eating is the name of the game nowadays — that means listening to your body’s hunger signals without restricting your diet in an unhealthy manner. So when you get those cravings, it’s okay to indulge. Here are a few options that are perfect to snack on during the summer.
Popcorn
My all-time favorite snack is making my own popcorn in an at-home air popper. It’s perfect for when you want to customize your own toppings. Salt, chili powder, Tajin: there’s a million different toppings you can add and it’s all up to your choosing.
Organic popcorn with olive oil is a low-effort alternative to air-popped popcorn as well because you can buy it straight from the shelves of Trader Joe’s or a local grocery store. With three grams of dietary fiber and 130 calories per two cups of popcorn from the Trader Joe’s brand, there isn’t much added artificially to make you feel too full.
Watermelon
Watermelon is finally in season in D.C., which means that heading over to the closest farmers market should definitely be on your bucket list. The Palisades Farmers Market opens every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can get there in 30 minutes from campus via public transportation or eight minutes via bike. Produce from farmers markets often has a freshness that beats the grocery store, and you’ll also be supporting local businesses and reducing transportation costs and emissions. It’s the perfect treat to share with friends too.
Milkshakes and Fries
Summertime also means road trips and late nights, and I’d suggest stopping by your favorite fast food chain for some milkshakes and fries. The sweet and salty mix complements each other well. In the D.C. area, there are plenty of options, like Tenleytown favorite Z-Burger or Thomas Sweet, just outside of Georgetown.
Homemade trail mix
Customizing your own trail mix means adding more of what you actually like and avoiding all those snacks that end up staying at the bottom of your store-bought mixes. Nuts, like peanuts, almonds and cashews, take me out of my “hangry” mood with their plant protein content — they’re especially great for those who don’t eat meat. Trail mix can be the perfect on-the-go snack for a midday hike or an outdoor adventure this summer.
I lean toward buying raw cashews to make it easier to customize my trail mix to my tastes. It acts as a good base for all of my other snacks, leaving me feeling satisfied until my next meal. Eating healthy foods like XYZ can also help you study more effectively and concentrate better on the task at hand.
At the end of the day, eat what makes you happy and satisfied. Eat what makes you feel good, physically and emotionally. You deserve it.
