In college, we all understand the struggle of trying to eat healthy. The hustle and bustle of working 30 hours a week, taking a full load of courses, groups and organizations, internships and trying to make time to hang out with friends, it’s nearly impossible to make healthy choices when it's easier to pick up food from the closest fast food spot. When the University Dining Hall boasts options such as fried chicken, burgers and pizza, you have to second guess if you really want to grab that salad you came in intending to eat. Then you have those late nights at the frat house and the drunchies (drunk munchies) hit. Then you find yourself making a Taco Bell run at 2 a.m. and you order a feast of tacos just for yourself.
Guys, don’t go for the “dad bod” look. This trend is almost as bad, if not worse, than the man bun, and you’ll probably be rocking the dad bod unintentionally in 10 years anyways.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste, though.
Eating healthy is not only good for the waistline; you provide your body with the nutrients to keep it running at it’s highest potential, which will also make you feel better and more energized!
Following these tips will make it simple to eat healthy, and stay full and motivated throughout the day.
Breakfast:
Cereal: we all have a special kind of love for it. It’s mouthfuls of sugary bliss, pleasuring our taste buds. There are healthier cereal options, though! Try to avoid these sugar traps that start your day off on a negative trend that leave you hungry and reaching for something else within a couple hours. Instead, opt for a healthier cereal made with bran that is high in fiber and has less than 10 grams of sugar per serving, and pair it with a banana. Quick and easy, just how we like it.
If you have a little more time, opt to fry a couple eggs, make whole-wheat toast and grab a handful of berries.
Before heading out to class, make sure to bring your refillable water bottle and a granola bar with whole ingredients. This will not only prevent you from purchasing a soda and chips on your break between courses, but will also save the strain on your wallet.
Lunch:
The meal that can make or break eating healthy. Fight the greasy cheeseburger and fries urge; your arteries will thank you later. If you can, it’s always best to pack a lunch, such as a peanut butter and pickle sandwich, an apple and a handful of nuts. This way you can control portion sizes and save a couple bucks. But as college students, we don’t always have extra time in the morning to make something for later. So when eating out, go for the salad and hearty soup combo, or a spinach wrap to keep you full throughout the day.
Dinner:
Everyone’s favorite meal to splurge and get the full and satisfied feeling. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you eat the right things. Shoot for a lean piece of meat such as chicken or turkey, whole grain rice or quinoa and broccoli. Nutritious, filling, easy to make and delicious.
Late-night snacking:
There’s nothing wrong with it, as long as you’re making the right food choices. Skip eating cookies and spooning ice cream from the carton, and opt for apple slices and peanut butter.
More Food for Thought:
Meal prep! Take your day off and spend a couple hours making food for the week! Doing this will make it easier to eat healthy while you're in a rush.
Always try to fit lean protein into your meals. It’ll keep you full and satisfied longer.
Almonds are a staple of health foods because they are full of healthy fats and proteins. But if almonds aren’t your thing, try macadamia nuts. They are sweet and flavorful with multiple health benefits.
Greek yogurt can keep those insides happy and healthy. It helps with digestion, is packed with protein, and is full of other nutrients such as calcium and B-12.
Stock up on beans and rice — they are cheap and easy to make. The complex carbs and fiber will help to keep you going throughout the day.
Eat slowly! It takes up to 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the mind it’s full. So the longer it takes you to eat, the better the food will digest, and the less you’ll consume.
It’s hard to gain weight eating fruits & vegetables. If you’ve finished eating and are still yearning to go back for seconds, grab an orange to fill you up.
Limit/cut out excess sugar. Sugar is just empty calories with no nutritional value, and leads to weight gain and potentially diabetes.
Brew your coffee at home. Fill up your tumbler with coffee and creamer and you're good to take on the day. This will not only save you from spending $5 at Starbucks on a Venti White Mocha with extra whipped cream and caramel, you’ll also be cutting out 500+ calories that have little to no nutritional value.
Don’t drink away your calories. Drinking soft drinks and sweet teas promote weight gain because of the excess sugar and syrups. Make the right choice and go with water. Or if you want something with a bit of flavor, choose an unsweetened/lightly sweetened iced tea.
Limit the frozen/processed foods. They are full of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and artificial ingredients. Granted, there are healthier brands of processed foods, but check the ingredients on the back to make sure things such as high fructose corn syrup are absent.
All natural does not mean all natural. Products labeled "natural" require no government certification. Many times, you will find that these products have been treated with chemicals or have been made with processed/GMO ingredients. Opt for foods labeled "organic" for healthier options.
Kill it this semester by eating healthier, and get back your high school body you’ve been saying you're going to get back for the past three years.
