Healthy Food for College Students
By Sara Butler
College is a time full of changes. It may be a person’s first experience away from home, navigating the world all on their own while juggling classes. It’s kind of a big deal. One of the biggest challenges college students everywhere face is the freshmen 15. You know, that pesky weight gain that seems to accompany the first year of college. There may be several reasons for this weight gain but one thing college students can do to try to keep it at bay is to eat right. However, while living in a dorm, this can be more of a challenge than anticipated! Here are a few healthy foods that will keep in a dormitory!
Vegetables and Fruits
There are several fresh vegetables and fruits that can safely be kept in a dorm room without refrigeration. Apples, bananas, oranges, canned fruit without added sugar, applesauce, and tomatoes are just a few examples of good stuff that will keep on the shelf. If you have a small refrigerator at your disposal, consider blueberries, grapes, melon, strawberries, celery, carrots, and cucumbers!
Dairy
Dairy is an inexpensive way to work that all-important protein into your dorm diet. Remember, as a young adult your body is still growing, so it needs the calcium and protein dairy provides. Yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, and string cheese are all great choices. Plus, they’ll help keep you feeling full and reduce your urge to munch on less healthy foods.
Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts are excellent sources of heart-healthy fat. Plus, they’re easy to store in a dorm room because they can stay good on the shelf without spoiling for quite a while. You can also keep peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter handy to smear on a tortilla or piece of bread as you make your way out the door to that dreaded early morning lecture.
Hummus
Another great food to have handy in your room, if you have a refrigerator, is hummus. It’s made from chickpeas, which make it a great source of protein and unsaturated fat. Spread it on whole grain crackers, bread, or a tortilla for a snack that’ll stick with you for a while!
Eating healthy at college is possible -- it just takes a little know-how! You can conquer the freshman 15 by not living on pizza and pasta alone. Add some of these elements to your meal plan and you’ll be good to go!
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