Eating Well on Campus: Simple Tips and Recipes for Healthy College Dining
Maintaining a healthy diet in college can be challenging, with busy schedules, limited cooking facilities, and tempting fast food options. However, with a little planning and creativity, you can eat well and nourish your body during your college years. In this blog post, we’ll share some simple tips for eating healthy in college, along with a few easy and nutritious recipes that you can whip up in your dorm room or apartment.
Tips for Eating Healthy in College:
- Plan Ahead:
- Make a weekly meal plan and grocery list to ensure you have healthy options on hand.
- Prep ingredients in advance to save time during the week.
- Choose Whole Foods:
- Focus on whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Avoid sugary beverages and snacks, opting for water, herbal tea, or unsweetened beverages instead.
- Mind Your Portions:
- Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating.
- Use smaller plates and bowls to help control portion sizes.
- Cook at Home:
- Cooking at home can be more affordable and healthier than eating out.
- Invest in a few basic kitchen tools such as a microwave, toaster oven, and blender for easy cooking.
- Many students love having a blender and making smoothies which is an easy way to get in your fruits and veggies.
- Get Creative with Dorm-Friendly Recipes:
- Look for recipes that require minimal equipment and ingredients.
- Use simple cooking methods like microwaving, toasting, or blending.
Simple Dorm-Friendly Recipes:
- Microwave Oatmeal:
- Ingredients: 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup water or milk, toppings of your choice (e.g., fruit, nuts, seeds, honey).
- Directions: Combine oats and water or milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add toppings and enjoy!
- Vegetable Stir-Fry:
- Ingredients: Frozen stir-fry vegetables, precooked chicken or tofu, soy sauce, cooked brown rice.
- Directions: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add frozen vegetables and chicken or tofu. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add soy sauce to taste. Serve over brown rice.
- Greek Yogurt Parfait:
- Ingredients: Greek yogurt, granola, fruit (e.g., berries, bananas), honey or maple syrup.
- Directions: Layer Greek yogurt, granola, and fruit in a glass or bowl. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
Eating healthy in college is possible with a little planning and creativity. By choosing whole foods, minding your portions, cooking at home, and getting creative with dorm-friendly recipes, you can nourish your body and stay on track with your health goals during your college years. One of my friends, Cyndi, wrote a cookbook that is very helpful for college students. I also love the Pioneer Woman cookbooks.
Imagine Scholarships has a blog, and a newsletter with many helpful resources for students, educators and parents as well as thousands of quality scholarships that are organized to help you find money for college. Sign up today, you’ll be glad you did.