The Fall semester is around the corner. In a couple of days, our lives are going to be crazy again. Then, we will not have time to eat healthily. With our busy schedule and budget: we do not have time to cook, do not make smart choices for buying food and only eat what the campus cafeteria has. The consequences are: getting weight (my worst nightmare) and putting our health at risk (we are what we eat).
In my case, I like to eat homemade food. It is nice to go out and enjoy dinner or lunch, but only once a week. I prefer to spend some of my time making my meals because I am on a permanent diet (I think I can gain some weight if I just breath). Of course, I am not Martha Stewart; my meals are the most delicious, but I make them fast and healthy.
This article is not a list of recipes. I want to share some tips with you. You can have healthy food spending less than an hour making it.
1. Breakfast.
Charisse Kenion
I like to be in bed for as much time as I can; then, I don't like to use my sleeping time to make breakfast. The solution is oatmeal. It is easy to make (I use my microwave). Oatmeal is a great carbohydrate providing you the energy you require for all day, and you can mix it with fruit. When I am hungry, I shake an egg and slowly throw in while I cook the oats. The oatmeal is denser; you are not going to taste the egg.
2. Snacks.
Krzysztof Puszczyński
I need some snacks in the middle of the morning and the afternoon. My two favorites options are:
The healthy one: an apple with some almond butter. It is delicious, and it gives a lot of energy. I know almonds can be expensive. I am not going to say you have to make your almond butter. My best suggestion is buying a jar of almond butter in any organic market. I always check that it is made only with almond and there is no sugar added. This jar does not cost more than $8, and you will have snacks for over a month.
The sweet one. Nutella sandwich. I like to use cinnamon bread with some Nutella spread on it. I know it is not the healthiest option, but it makes my day better.
3. Lunch.
Mariana Medvedeva
There are unlimited options for lunch. If you have to have your lunch in the campus, you can make a tuna or chicken salad sandwich. Remember, always it is better a homemade option than buying food you don't know how it was cooked or how many calories it has.
You can make a nice lunch if you plan your meals weekly. It could sound boring and annoying, but spending one hour per week is enough to have your menu ready. You only need to have some ingredients in your kitchen.
-Can of chickpeas and beans.
-Tuna, swai and salmon.
-Ground beef. (Making it is simple. It is seasoning and fry).
-Shredded chicken. (It is only to boil the chicken and add some dressing).
-Rice, pasta, and quinoa. (Making quinoa takes like five minutes).
-Baked vegetables and boiled eggs. (It is to cut and put some vegetables in the oven for thirty minutes).
- Cut lettuce, spinach, tomato, and onion.
-Bolognese, Alfredo, pesto sauces. You could make them, but let's face it, you will buy them. Try to get the option with less sodium and saturated fat.
-Dressings, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
With all these ingredients you can make in two minutes a salad, tacos, sandwichs, a hot meal, a hot salad, infinite types of pasta, etc. You only have to incorporate some of the ingredients together.
4. Dinner.
Kyler Boone
My best option for dinner is soup. It is healthy, easy to make and perfect for my permanent diet.
I promise with these tips you will not spend more than one hour per week making a great, cheap and healthy menu.