Healthy Snacks That College Kids Will Choose Over Candy and Chips

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Growing teens and young adults need protein to stay healthy. But have you taken a close look at a vending machine lately? The snack options inside leave much to be desired in the nutritional department. Chips and chocolate candy don’t necessarily make for healthy snacks, but often they’re all that’s readily available to your college-aged kids, especially if they live in dorms.

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Making sure your kids are getting the nutrients they need to thrive when they’re on their own — and when they’re home for the summer — is easier than ever, though, thanks to Nuts.com and its copious assortment of crave-worthy, protein-rich snacks that can be delivered right to your (or their) door. Better yet, set up auto-ship, so packages of various nut bars, energy squares, superfood cereals and more will keep arriving each month. 

Don’t forget to stock up on resealable food storage bags, too, so you can send kids off to camp, internships, summer jobs, and sporting events stocked up with power snacks. With healthy bites like these, they won’t even be tempted to overdo it with all the sugar and processed foods that’ll just have them crashing later. Here are a few of the tastiest healthy snacks we’ve found on Nuts.com.

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  • Shake It Up with Protein Powders

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    Stay stocked up on protein powders made of protein-rich sources like hemp, whey, collagen and pumpkin seeds, and serve your kids fresh smoothies and shakes mixed with fruits (and, dare we say, even veggies?) or bake up some breakfast bars they can take on the road!

    Protein Powders$7.99/pound and upBuy now

  • Gather Trail Mix Basics Like Nuts and Seeds

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    Nuts.com is brimming with options that are true to its name: bourbon pecans, roasted cashews and pistachios galore, plus sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and more. Toss these nuts and seeds with raisins and pretzels for trail mix and send them off on their next summer road trip with a protein-rich snack that’s delicious and filling.

    Various Nuts and Seeds$3.99/pound and upBuy now

  • Replace Candy with Energy Squares

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    You can make them yourself, or you can purchase clean, protein-rich energy squares pre-made with organic ingredients like coconut, fig, dates, berries and raw cacao. They provide that sweet fix without the processed junk, so kids will actually choose them as a stress-relieving munchie for their summer job or internship.

    Assorted Energy Squares$6.99/pound and upBuy now

  • Pack a Savory Snack with Jerky

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    Get all the rich flavor and chewy texture of jerky but with only healthy meats that are grass-fed and hormone-free, including beef, pork, turkey and even salmon in various spice levels and flavors. Assorted packs provide great fuel for hikes and sporting events.

    Jerky$6.99 and upBuy now

  • Have Them Going Bananas for Nut Bars

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    It should come as no surprise that nuts.com has a uniquely delicious assortment of nut bars, including peanut brittle-esque versions, trail mix nut bars and even a special peanut butter and jelly nut bar that blows a boring sandwich out of the water.

    Nut Bars$9.99Buy now

  • Keep It Light with Sesame Sticks

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    Kids will find all the crispy goodness they crave without the salt and oil found in traditional chips with this assortment of sesame sticks. They’re light and crunchy and come in flavors like guacamole, cheddar, cajun and barbecue, perfect for Netflix nights and long commutes. 

    Keep It Light with Sesame Sticks$5.99/pound and upBuy now

  • Get a Pop of Energy with Roasted Soybeans

    Popcorn? They won’t even want it once you introduce them to roasted soybeans, either unsalted or lightly salted and packed with flavor. If your kid’s a sushi fan they’ll recognize their favorite edamame (they even come in wasabi flavor!) but with a pleasingly crunchy twist. Nuts.com even has a dark chocolate covered version for that sweet and salty fix.

    Roasted Soybeans$6.64/pound and upBuy now

  • Nurture Superhero Strength with Superfood Cereals

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    Ginger, acai, cacao and raspberry are the key superfoods that give these cereals their powerful health benefits. Superfoods help with weight management, provide tons of energy, keep your heart healthy and so much more. Sugary cereals will be pushed to the back shelf, and teens will be toting these cereals back to their dorm to fuel them through midterms and beyond.

    Superfood Cereals$8.99 and upBuy now

  • Sprinkle In Some Nutrition with Organic Flax Seeds

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    An excellent way to sneak in fiber, omega-3s and a bit of protein, and keep things like blood sugar stable so kids can push through a full day of classes with energy to spare is by sprinkling these organic flax seeds into things like yogurt and oatmeal — the true makings of a breakfast of champions.

    Organic Flax Seeds$5.99Buy now

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