How to Eat Healthy in College:

Keeping a balanced diet can be tricky in college. You are faced with a busy schedule, lots of options, and no longer have routine meal times given to you; falling out of healthy eating is easy- getting back to a balanced diet and lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard.

Living in the dorms or don’t have access to a kitchen?

Following these simple steps can help you stay on track with your diet, even when eating in the dining halls:

Plan out meal times for the week, and stick to them! Finding the same time every day to eat lunch and dinner will allow you to ensure you are eating full meals every day.
Make plans with friends to eat a meal together: Planning out meals with friends not only ensures you are eating, but also allows you to stay social and reconnect!
In the dining halls: try for a protein, starch, and vegetable every plate!
USE THE SALAD BAR! The dining halls offer a large stocked salad bar full of healthy foods to eat- add a salad to your pizza or eat a bowl of salad in between plates.

Have a kitchen or are off campus?

Having a kitchen allows you to take control of your meals and what you eat, but this freedom requires some work to stay on top of a healthy balanced diet.

Plan out meals for the week, write them down. This ensures you are eating lunch and dinner every day, and not just grabbing a snack on the go.
Make a protein, starch (rice, pasta, potatoes), and a vegetable every meal (or try to).
Use fruit and veggies as snack foods over potato chips.
When going grocery shopping, make a list and stick to it! This ensures you get what you need and are not over spending on food.
Ask your parents for good meal suggestions, or go online for recipes and ideas. Healthy eating starts with what you make- ramen and eggs every day won’t cut it in the long run.
Budget your money: You can still make healthy food even on a tight food budget.

How to Make Healthy Eating Unbelievably Easy– Luke Durward