One of my better college moments was coming back to school for my sophomore year and moving into a room with my own kitchen. #Blessed that I was able to say goodbye to a cramped Towers room and hello to Ruskin. Yes, I love to cook (pancakes are my specialty) but throw in classes, sorority obligations, and attempting to workout everyday⊠that only leaves about .5 seconds to be able to cook meals. When going food shopping, I am constantly conflicted and overwhelmed walking up and down every aisle. How many apples do I buy? Can I finish this milk before it expires? Do I try almond milk instead? Though I will never not be conflicted when food shopping (indecisive is my middle name), here is a guide of suggestions for the food basics that everyone needs!Â
Eggs
When I can drag myself out of bed at least an hour before I have to leave for class, eggs are my best friend. Depending on my mood, I can make them scrambled, fried, even over medium (or with my skills, more like over easyâŠ). Throw in some shredded cheese, diced onions, and peppers, and youâll be calling yourself Rachel Ray.
Hummus
I donât know about you, but I could eat hummus for any and every meal and never get sick of it. From classic to tomato basil, your taste buds will never be bored. Cut up some cucumbers or open a bag of pita chips (whole grain is my fave) and youâre set!
Pretzels
Hummusâ best friend. When stressed (aka all the time), my go-to is the famous pounder bag of pretzels, a jar of Nutella, and a spoon. No judgment please.
1 Minute Rice
This is probably the most amazing creation in the entire, whole-wide world. Not only does this rice cook in just 60 seconds, but the packages are portion friendly. From brown rice to wild rice, there is so much you can do with it. Sauté some broccoli in teriyaki and you have just created your own stir-fry. Why waste a market swipe for stir-fry when you can make your own (healthier) version yourself?
Granola
If thereâs one thing I will forever splurge on (besides Raoâs vodka pasta sauce), itâs good quality granola. My favorite combination is Nakedâs Peanut Whole Grain Clusters mixed with blueberries, bananas, and either Greek yogurt or skim milk. Itâs honestly the perfect post-workout meal!
Peanut Butter
No matter what anyone says, I will forever believe that peanut butter is a healthy fat. From a classic PB&J to straight up eating it out of the jar, my cabinet is always filled with at least one jar of peanut butter.
Ketchup
Being called the âKetchup Queenâ when I was younger, itâs no surprise that I ended up going to a school that shares the same home as Heinz. Since I put ketchup on everything, from eggs to mac and cheese (again, no judgment), there is always a super-sized bottle of ketchup to be found in my refrigerator. Feel free to pick up some hot sauce and the newest trend in sauces, Sriracha, while youâre at it as well.
Wraps
From egg wraps in the morning to a hummus and veggie wrap for lunch on-the-go, you can never go wrong with having a package of them. They come in all kinds of sizes and flavors, from whole wheat to spinach. Whatever your preference, wraps are a must in your kitchen.
Iâll wrap up (pun intended) this article by saying that no matter your busy schedule or food preferences, it is possible to eat healthy and make your own meals. If it means waking up a little earlier to make your lunch for the day, then by all means do so. Tupperware will become your best friend, and youâll be saving money by packing a lunch instead of paying extra for guac at Chipotle. Though that may sound hard, youâll thank yourself later.