The beginning of a new year births joyous hopes and bold aspirations. With these high expectations, many of us are aiming to improve our health. Taking a visit to the gym is always a great idea, but odds are during the first few weeks of January, you’re probably not going to find a machine. Moreover, a daily jog along the Charles won’t amount to anything if you’re scarfing down pie during your 2 am fridge raid. While this exercise may all be a noble act for a couple of weeks, it’s not difficult to let it fade away. What you put into your system counts for just as much. Eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing delicious food for incredibly boring salads, or spending your tuition cash on a Whole Foods run. Here are a couple of ideas that will help you start paving the road to a nutritious (and delicious!) new you.
- Morning Munchies: heavy and hearty to start the day strong!
THE most important meal of the day. Seriously, skipping this is a sin. To ensure that you have a successful day ahead of you, you want your tummy to be filled with goodness and prepared to take on any challenge life throws at you. Waking up earlier than necessary to make it to your first class may be a bummer, but will provide you with the energy you need later. This includes:
- Always start off with a large glass of water to cleanse your system
- Eggs. Scrambled, boiled, or fried. Cheese and tater tots preferred, but not recommended. Well, okay, maybe it's okay on cheat day.
- Citrus. Grapefruits and oranges are high in vitamin C content, and are proven to wake you up.
- Grains. Oatmeal cookies dipped in some almond milk is fantastic!
2) Daytime Delights: for when your stomach moans like a whale while you’re stuck in lecture
- Yogurt. Perfect for when you get ravenous while you’re on the bus running late for class, and fantastic accompanied with a granola bar or some M&M’s.
- Celery and peanut butter. Fill a ziplock bag with your favorite crunchy vegetables, and enjoy while cramming for that afternoon exam.
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews -- wiith such a large variety of options, it’s near impossible to get tired of ‘em.
3) Evening Cravings: dinner is just a few hours away, but you can’t get rid of those hunger pangs.
- Dark chocolate. High in cocoa content, and a great way to satisfy that nagging sugar tooth.
- Cut up some fruits and store them in tupperware for a quick and easy go-to snack!
- Consider a bagel or something you’d have for a light brunch, like a corn muffin or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,
4) Delicious Dinner: you’re getting sleepy, but still looking forward to digging your face into something scrumptious!
- Brown rice instead of white. Sufficient in fiber and vitamin B, and deliciously filling when complemented with vegetables and/or beans.
- You’re going to have to eat those vegetables some way, so consider a salad. (Maybe?) Or decorate your main dish with a side of eggplant or spinach. Find a way to get those vitamins into you!
- Fish is a healthy alternative to meat, but since it’s on the pricey side, at least try trading red meat with a leaner alternative, like a turkey burger or chicken breast.
- Finish off the day strong with some herbal tea. Jam packed with all kinds of goodness, there are endless options and will help you fall asleep smoothly.
Well, there you have it! A starter list for a healthier lifestyle. But don’t just stop here! Do your research to find out what kinds of healthy food you can afford to eat. Give up white bread for whole wheat. Try cutting down on cookies and pizza, and stop eating processed foods and artificial beverages altogether. Remember: ramen is not the only option. An orange is around the same price as those horrid noodles. Being a poor college student does not mean you can’t take care of yourself, and making these micro changes will lead to massive improvements.The proof is in the pudding. The rice pudding, that is.
