It’s a few weeks into school now and there’s no doubt in my mind that most of us have already enjoyed the wonders of DHOP at midnight and enough frat-beer to put the boys of Animal House to shame. Since choosing healthy options on campus isn’t always easy, especially for those of us who can hear the sweet potato fries at Philly are calling our names and have Domino’s on speed-dial in our phone- we thought we would offer a little help. Here are some tricks and tips for keeping your diet healthy and your bank account wealthy!
1. First and foremost, RELAX.
Eating healthy doesn’t come easy to most, and if you’ve never had to do it before it can be even harder. Don’t freak out if you gain a few pounds, give into that late night slice of pizza or consume only fro-yo for a straight week. You’ll catch on, I promise.
2. Have a plan
Before you barrel into the dining hall or hit the fridge like a linebacker, take a minute to stop and think about what it is that you really want. If you have a plan in your mind about what you’re going to eat, you’re less likely to grab the first thing you see- which could end up being left over Chinese with a side of guilt.
(It’s you vs. THE FRIDGE)
3. Know your vocab
Broiled, baked, and steamed are super terms but steer clear of au-gratin (covered in cheese and breadcrumbs) or anything fried. If you’re favorite food in the whole world is fried mozzarella sticks, go ahead and have them but make sure you keep your portions small!
4. Bring a coffee maker/hot water heater
Ever actually paid attention to how much your large hazelnut coffee at Breaking New Grounds costs? It isn’t cheap! Brewing you tea or joe in your dorm or apartment will save you tons of cash and keep you away from the high calorie drinks are tempting to order when you’re at a coffee house.
5. Have breakfast!
If you don’t already know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, your grandma didn’t do her job. Eating breakfast will kick start your metabolism after a night of fasting and do wonders for your attention span in your 8:00 am Chemistry class. Plus, breakfast is the cheapest meal of the day! Whole grain cereal with skim milk or a whole wheat bagel with a little jelly are great choices to start your day! Just beware of the bacon and go easy on the donuts.
6. Read the label!
Getting familiar with nutrition labels is an invaluable skill for your health. Make sure to pay extra attention to serving sizes and the list of ingredients. Sometimes “low fat” also means “same amount of fat, but half the serving size.” As far as ingredients go, additives are listed in terms of quantity and the ones at the top of the list are in there the most. If butter and heavy cream are way up there, but it back on the shelf and look for something different.
7. Stock up on basics
For those of you living in houses or apartments, filling your kitchen with healthy options is the key to your success. Instead of buying pre-made frozen pasta bowls, pick up a few boxes of whole wheat pasta and a jar of your favorite sauce! Basics like beans, rice, pasta and canned tuna are good for you and super cheap! Not to mention they can be quickly prepared if you are short on time and starving to death and are way healthier than Ramen. Keep your shopping at the grocery store mostly to the outer edges and away from the processed stuff in the middle and your cabinets will be brimming with the best of the best!
8. Don’t forget the veggies
I get it, veggies are annoying. Most of us have been feeding them to the dog under the table our whole lives, but we’re pretty much grown-ups and grown-ups eat their veggies. They’re full of vitamins that will keep your hair pretty and your skin looking young, and their fiber content will keep you full until your next meal. Still hate ‘em? Try something new! Pick up the weirdest looking thing at the grocery store and figure out how to cook it, it could be your new fave! Try to add as many veggies as possible to every meal and there’s no doubt you’ll stumble across something you like. Apartment dwellers- don’t forget about the frozen isle! It’s chock-full of frozen bags that you can quickly pop in the microwave to surprise your roomies with a healthy meal!
9. Hide that credit card
Buying a pizza for all your friends might seem like an awesome idea at 2:00 am, but there’s no doubt you’ll regret that in the morning. Keep your card in a safe place on the weekends and you’ll be less tempted to donate to the hungry-drunk friend fund!
10. Request a healthy care package
Mom’s cookies are oh-so yummy but they won’t be helping your cause. If your parents are generous enough to send you a care package politely request that they keep your health goals in mind. Granola bars, dried fruit and popcorn are delicious treats that will keep you on track. If your mom loves to bake, ask her to check out some healthy recipes at eatingwell.com! I love when my mom sneaks a Women’s Health magazine into my packages!
11. Watch TV
Yup, I said it, but be productive about it! On Sunday morning when you can’t get out of bed, turn on the tube and get familiar with one of my favorite channels- The Food Network (channel 44 in Durham). Most of the cooking shows are health-conscious and will teach you some creative recipes to add to your skill set! Make your roommates the guinea pigs or have them help and sit down to a college family dinner on Sunday night!
12. Don’t do it for the wrong reasons
Going vegetarian to save chickens all over the world? Good reason. Cutting back on red meat for the health of your heart? Good reason. Eating spinach at every meal because it’s your favorite food in the whole world? Weird, but good reason. Going on a diet to be skinny? BAD REASON. Eating for your health isn’t a diet. It’s a lifestyle change. You’re not restricting yourself of your favorite things, you’re just having them in moderation. You’re eating when your hungry and not eating when you’re not hungry. Going on a diet means you’re severely restricting your intake and that’s no fun for anyone. Exercise and eat healthy most of the time and they’ll be no reason to go on on of those dreadful diets!
13. Embrace Leftovers
Tossing the whole-wheat pasta bake you made for Sunday dinner is not only wasteful, but also bad for your wallet. Grab some Tupperware, pop the leftovers in the fridge and you just made yourself lunch for tomorrow! Still have half of your sandwich from JP’s? Ask for a to-go box and donate to your roommate before she suffers through another sub-par PB&J.
14. Go generic
Don’t be afraid to check out the Hannafords brand pasta sauce- or whatever store you shop at. In a lot of cases its exactly the same or even better! You’ll save a few bucks in the end and be able to spend more cash on fresh fruits and veggies!
15. Don’t Stress
Learning to eat right is like a lot of things in college- difficult, overwhelming and easy to mess up. If you don’t get it right the first time, keep trying. Practice makes perfect!