It is pointless to beat around the bush, so I’m just going to say what we all know is true: college cafeteria food sucks. From the over-cooked vegetables to the meat with an abnormal consistency, it’s no wonder that the majority of us beg to rid ourselves of our meal plans by the end of our first semester. For some reason, I continue to get my hopes up when I enter the spacious cafeteria, just to be disappointed by the taste, consistency, and the lack of variety (especially for people with food allergies) each and every time.
For juniors, seniors, and those who can manage to sneak their way out of the meal plan, not having food already prepared for you can make eating difficult. At first, you’ll spend way too much money on to-go or restaurant food when you realize how hard feeding yourself without a meal plan really is. A lot of the food you will buy at the Grocery won't be very healthy, considering most of us college students don’t know how to cook, don’t want to cook, or never have any time to cook. But don’t get discouraged! After you get sick of frozen meals and unsatisfying snacks, you will want to learn how to strategically prepare your own food.
My life is considerably easier now that I have taken the time to learn how to food prep and what foods to prep with. Meals are ready to go when I’m hungry. I am less inclined to grab something quick and unhealthy, because my healthy meal can be reheated in an instant!
To get started, here are some staple foods that will make your life easier and healthier.
1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is my go-to grain! I usually buy the Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal, because it has more protein and less sugar than other variations. I probably eat oatmeal twice a day, because it's one of the most filling, low-calorie carbs you can eat. It also helps curve my craving for sweets, because I can add my favorite fruits or some chocolate on top.2. Eggs and Egg Whites
Every morning, I make myself some scrambled eggs, using one egg and a half a cup of egg whites. The reason for this is that egg whites have much less fat than egg yolks. I’ll scramble in some spinach and green peppers too, just to get some extra greens in my system early in the day.
3. Chicken Breasts
Usually, I will do my grocery shopping on Sunday, so that I have all the food I’ll need for the rest of the week. Once I get back to my dorm, I’ll take the chicken I just bought and marinate it in whatever marinade I feel like using that day. In a few hours, I bake it in the oven and then store it in a glass container in the refrigerator. The chicken will last for about 3-4 days. For dinner, I just pop it in the microwave with whatever grain and vegetable I prepared for the week and enjoy! Depending on how much chicken you prep, you could have up to eight meals worth of chicken.
4. Rice and Quinoa
On the same day I prep my chicken, I will make my rice or quinoa. I cook it in a saucepan; let it sit for 15 minutes to absorb the water, and then store it in the refrigerator. If you want something even quicker, you can buy pre-cooked quinoa and rice packets to heat up in the microwave. It only takes a minute and a half and you can still enjoy it with your chicken.
5. Sweet Potatoes
This is also a great dinner grain to choose. Sweet potatoes heat up in the microwave in about four minutes. Just remember to poke holes in the top so your potato doesn’t explode.
6. Prepackaged Stir-Fry Vegetables
At Walmart, there are prepackaged, pre-cut pepper, onion, zucchini, and mushroom mixes. All you have to do is put some coconut or olive oil in a skillet, dump the veggies in with whatever seasoning you prefer, and sauté them until they are cooked. Put the veggie medley in the refrigerator and enjoy for the next few days!
If you aren’t a big fan of chicken or you want to mix your meals up a little, you could always buy ground turkey or frozen salmon instead. I like to make tacos using ground turkey. Again, I'll cook enough for a few days, so I can just heat it up and go. Frozen salmon doesn’t take long to cook either. However, seafood doesn’t last as long, so be sure to eat any seafood first. I have attached some meal prep videos below for those who want to learn more. Hope this was helpful! Now go do some meal prep practicing!
