With the constant stress of classes, homework, errands, and just growing up, cooking is something we college students never seem to have the time to do. Yet, maintaining a balanced and fueling diet is essential to our success. Here I outline some quick and easy nutritious meals to add to your routine. They’re so simple and with hardly any cooking involved, so they require a limited number of ingredients. The best part: they’re all 100% vegan. So now, ditch the campus food court and make yourself a high-quality, yummy meal in minutes.
Breakfast
Full disclosure, I usually wake up about five minutes before my first class (I’m no early bird) and leave without eating. So, I’m very hungry once I return from my morning commitments. I love a good nutritious bowl of oatmeal to satisfy my cravings. To save time, I just pop some instant oats in the microwave and top them with frozen blueberries and nuts. Seeds are another great topping as they provide healthy fats, vitamins, fiber, and protein.
When I want to change things up a bit, I make a two-minute smoothie, with just oat milk and a frozen fruit blend I get from Costco. Sometimes I’ll add peanut butter and/or protein powder for an extra boost.
LUNCH
For me, lunch is often sandwiched between two pressing commitments, so more often than not it ends up being a quickly-constructed collection of leftovers. My go-to lunch is a simple taco plate, because of how versatile it is. I stock up on canned beans and splurge on weekly avocados, so it’s easy as 123! You can add as many additional ingredients as you’d like (there go the leftover scraps from your fridge), and if you don’t have avocados on hand, hummus works well too. If you live in Texas, Central Market’s tortillas are heavenly and a must-buy.
Another regular lunch for me is a simple burger with a meat alternative. Fake meats are getting increasingly accessible and you can find them at almost any store, from Costco to Target, for a reasonable price. Beyond Meat is a personal favorite brand of mine. Just heat the burger and combine it with vegan condiments and your vegetables of choice. If you have trouble cooking with produce, or simply don’t have the time, the frozen aisle is your friend. Frozen produce is convenient, being cheaper and longer-lasting than fresh, and you can just toss some in the pan with your burger for a finished meal.
DINNER
Vegetable pasta with vegan meat or tofu makes for a filling dinner. It’s pretty straightforward and can be as elaborate or simple as you wish. If you want a break from the carbs, a hearty soup or salad will cleanse your system, just be sure to add your protein. Soft tofu, lentils, and beans have neutral flavors that will blend beautifully with greens, a nice broth, or store-bought soup. If you’re making a tofu dish, I’d recommend adding soy sauce to elevate the taste.
SNACKS/DESSERT
I try not to indulge in desserts on the weekdays and instead stick to my snack staple: trail mix. For me, this usually consists of dark chocolate chips and nuts. I don’t drink coffee, so I consider this to be my little caffeine dose, fueling me through the afternoon. I do have a love for baking though, so I cheat with a homemade baked good once or twice a month.