College Food Tips

Living in the dorms or on your own can be hard. You want food that is cheap and easy. If you can stay away from the cafeteria, DO SO. Making anything at home is most likely ALWAYS lower calorie than eating out. Take a minuet to realize... your high school metabolism will probably start slowing down! The average thing to do is eat highly processed foods, party regularly, and not workout. YOU WILL START FEELING TERRIBLE. Choosing healthier options will help you avoid one day waking up going "oh crap. how did this happen?!" 

I put together healthy meals to make under 10 minuets with only a fridge and microwave. I chose meals that share the same ingredients because of $$$ and space! I wrote this because I realized Pinterest was not helpful. The meals they provided included a ton of ingredients and weren't healthy. Nothing too special on here, but it worked for me! I will do another updated meal list later. I didn't want this to be too overwhelming with choices. 

GROCERY LIST AT THE BOTTOM AS WELL! 

***If you have a meal plan with a cafeteria, see the very bottom of the page!! 

Enjoy! xx

Breakfast: 

Overnight oats: 1 serving rolled oats, 1/4 cup 0% greek yogurt, 1 tbs honey, 1/2 banana, chia seeds, and unsweetened almond milk to cover.

Protein shake + apple & 1tbs PB: I use "Tone It Up" vanilla vegan protein from Target. JYM vanilla whey from GNC or P.E Science snickerdoodle online (best tasting)

Greek yogurt + toppings: Use the rest of the apple or banana...save $$$- fruit goes bad quick so I had to pick 2 types of fruit a week

"Proats" (protein + oats): 1 serving of oatmeal microwaved + mix in 1/2 scoop protein powder. SO EASY. This used to be my go-to breakfast. (P.E Science Snickerdoodle online is best for this) *pic includes pb and banana

Rice cakes w/ toppings: (obviously I used toast because I now have a toaster) or if you don't like rice cakes you can use bagel THINS. 

Eggs: You can poach/cook an egg in the microwave but... IT WILL STINK. I didn't like cooking eggs because it smelt terrible and your roommate will most likely hate you. (But it is a good option to get in some protein) 

Lunch/Dinner: 

Burrito bowl: Black beans, corn, 90 second rice, salsa

Sweet potato & beans: Microwave a sweet potato (poke holes in it and microwave 8 minuets flipping once) top with vegetarian baked beans or any kind of bean you like. (Baked beans slay my life) 

Tuna rice cakes: + sliced apple on top 

Lentil soup or regular canned soup: Find high protein soups by checking the nutrition label on the back! 

***Cafeteria struggles... I ate in the cafeteria my first year I transferred to UH. First off, everything is so high calorie and unhealthy and the salad bar looks like its been sitting for 10 years. Most schools have the nutrition facts online! It sounds crazy, but this is THE ONLY WAY I STAYED IN SHAPE! It's so easy to follow the crowd and grab pizza at the cafeteria but look online "University of _____ cafeteria nutrition information" or ask someone who works there if they have any nutrition facts for food allergies (if you're too embarrassed to ask for nutrition facts). If not, STICK TO WHAT YOU CAN RECOGNIZE. We all know what veggies, rice, and chicken looks like. If you can chose how many meals a week you have, do the minimum amount and use your meal points at healthier places on campus like Jamba or Starbucks. They have nutrition facts online. 

There is truly no excuse or reason to ever give your body less than it deserves. Better yourself no matter the circumstance and fuel yourself with good food! 

GROCERY LIST: 

-Oatmeal (Big tub of rolled oats is cheapest and lasts forever...or the protein 10 oatmeal is super yummy just more expensive)  

-Greek yogurt 

-Protein powder 

-Peanut butter or almond butter

-Rice cakes or bagel thins

-Fruit (apples and bananas...last the longest) 

-Beans (black beans, chili beans, baked beans...whatever you like most) 

-90 second rice (white, brown, jasmine...whatever YOU prefer...no one is healthier than the other)

-Potato/sweet potato

-Tuna

-Lentil soup 

-Canned corn or peas 

EXTRAS: (All of these are recommended to have and last a while)

-Chia seeds (CHEAP AF AT ROSS...super weird but thats where I got mine) 

-Honey (Organic raw)

-Almond milk

-Frozen veggies

-Salsa

-Corn

-Eggs