Everybody has heard of the freshman 15. You finally get to be on your own, go out when you want, skip class if you want to (not suggested) and eat what you want to. Your family isn’t making you dinner and your snacks are now your choice.
Now I know what you’re thinking this literally spells danger for the foodies and cravers everywhere. One way to avoid these cravings, especially late at night after you’ve had a long one, is through your grocery list. Every week write up a list of what you will buy at the grocery store and stick exactly to it. Fill the list with only healthy items and allow a few indulging items that are on the healthier side so as to avoid binging and craving. A lot of you are probably thinking but what do I buy? That’s exactly what I struggled with when I first got to college but now, I follow these five food groups and only buy from the store what is on the list. Although the list may sometimes include a dessert or two for my roommates and I to eat when we are watching movie, it is a great way to become or stay healthy
Fruits
These can include any of your favorite fruits, but try to watch out for the those fruits that tend to carry a lot of natural sugar and carbs. The ones I like to go with are bananas, apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, and pears. All of these are also great to make smoothies out of, so if you want to buy extra frozen fruits for those early morning after workout smoothies that is a great idea as well!
Vegetables
Nobody necessarily likes eating their vegetables, even as kids we didn’t. But here are some of the best tasting veggies that are paired well with proteins, healthy carbs, and various seasonings. Broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, onions, peppers, carrots, asparagus and tomatoes, these are all great for combining to make a meal.
Carbs
This is the one I personally struggle with the most because they are the yummiest. Eating healthy carbs is okay and actually essential to keeping a healthy diet and your body lean. Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads, and sweet potatoes are the best you can get in this area, so when grocery shopping stick to just those. They are all easy to make quick and savory meals out of so don’t worry about losing the yumminess.
Protein
Of course, I like a good steak every once in a while, but when it comes to eating healthy I tend to stick to mostly just chicken. Now, there are other proteins that are great as well. So, your list is best off containing chicken (to grill, to broil whatever you like, salmon, black beans, shrimp, and turkey. These are all pretty lean proteins and will keep you feeling full when paired with a carb and veggie to make a wholesome meal.
Snacks
(yep we're considering this a food group)
Last but not least, the hardest group. Not technically a food group but definitely important to all of us out there, snacks can be the hardest and the most tempting. I like to keep it to a cracker based low calorie, fat free, and low sugar snack, nuts, cheese, yogurt, granola bars, and popcorn. If I really need to indulge in something I will but strawberries and cool whip because that always hits the spot, and or some dark chocolate to eat in moderation.
So remember eating healthy in college doesn’t have to be hard, follow these simples groups and you’ll be good to go!
