The hustle and bustle that comes with commuting back and forth to campus can make eating healthy food difficult. With only 32 percent of students living in the residence halls, it is clear that La Verne is primarily a campus of commuter students.
Running to Barbara’s Place and Circle K in moments of blind starvation before classes can seriously add up over the course of a week. After realizing that a bag of Peachie O’s in the middle of my media law class was a waste of calories and dollars, I knew something had to change. These are four commuter snacking tricks that have helped my wallet and body get back on track:
1. Bring a refillable water bottle to school
Spending money on the Smart Water in Barbara’s Place can add up to over $2 per day and eventually cost up to $10 per week. Invest in a refillable water bottle that you can continue using throughout the day, putting some ease on your mind and wallet. Water is an essential to keep you going and I have found myself without it way too many times in the middle of class. Plus, our Campus Center and Arts and Communications Building both have filtered refill stations that make it easy to fill up on the go.
2. Plan out your snacks the night before
A trick that has helped to make my days run more smoothly is taking the time every night to pack a lunch bag with snacks for the next day. By removing the excuse of not having time to pack a lunch in the morning, it is easier to keep yourself organized and feel more prepared to tackle the day. Without the stress of having to rush out the door I am also able to prepare more healthful snacks like chopped fruits and veggies. Sometimes I even get ingredients ready for a breakfast smoothie so that I am able to blend and go.
3. Grocery shop for power foods
I recently discovered chia seeds, which have been extremely beneficial in terms of packing snacks. These mighty seeds have so many benefits because they absorb whatever you put them in and expand leading to a fuller belly. Chia seeds have helped to curb so many of my cravings because they help to keep me full throughout the day. They are great to toss into smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal—or even into a water bottle.
Along with great picks like chia seeds I am always sure to stock up on staples like Greek yogurt, apples, granola bars and raw nuts. These are all easy to pack and help to keep me awake in class and fueled throughout the day.
4. Limit yourself to one or two purchased treats a week
If you are like me, finishing a huge paper or getting an A on a quiz calls for a celebration. Splurging to reward yourself with that frappuccino or brownie may seem like a great idea for a couple minutes, but by the end of the day you will probably feel sluggish. Keeping treats few and far between is the key to not turning small rewards into big habits. Instead of ordering a venti coffee during an emergency caffeine run, shoot for a tall instead. This will help you to prevent bad habits and will also take a burden off of your wallet.
Commuting to campus can make eating stressful, but with a little planning and organization the food you eat will become your friend instead of a foe. Plus, getting your food organized makes your whole life feel a little more put together, and there is definitely no down side to that!