Trying to improve your health but also juggling time consuming classes and clubs? Here is the ultimate guide to eating healthy in college!
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can definitely be pushed to the back burner with a busy college schedule. However, this is one of the most important times to do so.
Our growing bodies require lots of nutrients to keep us functioning under the stressful conditions that school brings about. College is also a great time to instill habits that will last a lifetime.
As a college student myself, I have found that eating healthy is all about thinking smart and making things easier for yourself. Keep reading to find out the hacks that helped me solidify a healthy diet in college!
This post is all about the best hacks to help you eat healthy in college!
1. Focus On Veggies
Veggies!!! The absolute necessity of any healthy meal. Instead of thinking about what vegetable you’re going to add to your meal, frame your meals around a vegetable.
Grab a variety of vegetables at the store and when you’re deciding what to cook that day, choose the vegetable first. This way, you are always getting in a wide range of veggies and never missing out on that component of your meal.
2. Perfect The Craft
Write out a list of five of your favorite foods to eat and spend a few sessions in the kitchen perfecting how to make them fast and tasty. Examples of a few could be air-fried salmon, quinoa, sweet potato, ground chicken, and brussel sprouts.
Once you get these recipes down, you will have a built in toolkit of quick and easy meals you can make. You will also know that they will taste good and come our perfectly everytime!
3. Meal Plan
I’m not into meal prepping as much because I enjoy cooking on a daily basis and find it fun and stress relieving, but meal planning has been an absolute game changer for me.
On Sunday morning, I will sit down and plan out my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the week ahead. The plan usually consists of similar meals scattered throughout the meals so that I don’t require too many different ingredients. Then, I will write a quick grocery list and do my shopping for the week.
Make a list of your favorite meals so when the time to plan comes around you will have a reference!
4. Cut Corners
Let’s be real, we don’t have all the time in the world to chef up five-star, elaborate meals in college. You can definitely cut corners in college while staying healthy.
For example, I will usually opt for organic frozen veggies, organic frozen brown rice with no added oils, and frozen wild-caught salmon. Stocking up on non-perishables is the best route to take. This saves you from things going bad and endless grocery trips.
5. Think Strategically
Think strategically about your health goals in college and how you are going to make a plan to achieve them. For example, if you are looking to clear your skin, research the top foods that help skin and plan your meals around implementing those.
You can also take into account your schedule. On days you know you’ll have a busy mornings, prepare some overnight oats the night before so no prep time is needed. Eating healthy in college doesn’t have to be hard and can be one of the most rewarding things you do for yourself!
