It’s an exciting time for college students who are preparing for the next semester. However, when you are focused on getting your housing in order and signing up for classes, the goal to eat healthy in college can fall through the cracks.

The ‘Freshman 15’ is very real and sometimes, we don’t even realize it until we’ve gone way over those 15 pounds.

But here’s the thing about eating healthy in college: it’s not just about weight.

It’s about mental clarity, feeling like your body is strong enough to go through the late-night study sessions and the daily walks to your classes and activities.

It’s about making sure that your body has the energy to empower your lifestyle without burning out.

If you’re convinced that eating healthy in college is something that you should embrace, here are some easy tips on how to eat healthy in college. Especially if you have a tight budget.

How To Eat Healthy in College

1- Create Healthy Eating Habits

Sometimes, the easiest way to eat healthy in college is to ensure that it is an ingrained habit.

That may seem like a lot of work now, but during those impulse decision-making moments when you have to choose between a quick mac-and-cheese dinner and a salad that you have to chop/wash/dress, you’ll see where habits can be useful.

Drinking water first thing in the morning and reaching for a candy as you enter the checkout line are both habits that you’ve created over time.

And these small moments are the ones that can either empower or devastate you in the long run.

So, what are some easy healthy eating habits that we can create?

Healthy Eating Habits

1- Drink water first thing in the morning

This helps to flush toxins from your intestines, kickstart your metabolism, and give your body some much-needed hydration after you’ve been sleeping for 7+ hours. If one of your goals is weight loss, then it can also help you to do that as well.

2- Eat at least 2 servings of food and vegetables per day

There are so many creative ways to do this. Aside from having fruits with your breakfast, a salad (either as a main meal or a side), you can make smoothies if you’re on the go to have your nutrients in a more convenient way.

You can use services like Amazon Fresh to get your fresh produce more frequently.

3- Practice portion control

Sometimes, it’s not what we eat, but how much of it, that makes some foods unhealthy.

If you’re a frequent fast-food buyer, then be aware that restaurants are very generous with their serving portions. Most of the meals that we eat from fast food joints could feed 3 people from a calorie standpoint but we eat them in one sitting.

Because of this, and because you are a college student who will most likely be buying pizza at least once, then it’s a good idea to know your serving portions and stick to them.

Some Other Healthy Eating Habits Include:

Eating more whole grain options for fiber and nutrients (oatmeal, wheat bread, pasta)
Cut back on the sugar (candy, sugar, soda, fruit juices, cereals)
Eat more healthy fats (less butter and oil and more olive oil, avocado, coconut oil)
Reduce processed meats (bacon, sausages, etc)
Eat a variety of foods to get your vitamins and minerals
Drink more water (can’t be overstated)

You can choose as many of these healthy eating habits as you like, or create your own.

2- Stock Up On Staples

Now that we know how much healthy eating habits are important, this step is another part of eating healthy in college.

Your staples are the most important part of your pantry because they form the foundation for most of the meals that you prepare.

Even if you eat most of your meals outside of your dorm room, it’s always great to have some healthy snacks and easily prepared meals on hand.

For a healthy pantry that you can actually be excited about, here are some general ideas:

Wheat bread/pasta/quinoa
oatmeal
almond milk
regular spices- salt, pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon
Sugar alternative (honey, agave nectar, monk fruit sweetener, etc)
healthy oils
nuts and seeds
healthy nut butter (almond butter, peanut butter)
quick protein options (canned tuna, salmon, quinoa, peanut butter, protein bars)

If you already use Amazon, you can get these items easily delivered with Amazon Prime or Amazon Student.

If you don’t have these services, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial with Amazon Prime or a 6-month free trial with Amazon student to try it out.

3- Get Healthy Snacks

For your dorm room, your bag pack, for the mall. You’re not a kid but it does stop you from buying food that you’ll regret later.

4- Know the healthier eating option on or around campus

For when you forget your snacks or overslept that morning.

5- If you have to eat junk food, eat high-quality junk food

Trying to eat healthy in college 24/7 is not an option for many of us. Life happens, and we have to deal with it.

However, when we are in certain situations, it helps to have a backup plan for when your health goals go to shit.

So there’s the concept of eating high-quality junk food and you may be wondering what the hell that is.

It’s the idea that if you have to eat out or order in- go for the healthiest yet most delicious items on the menu, and switch out the ingredients to suit your preferences if they don’t have those options.

For example, ordering a pizza with actual veggies on it instead of just meat and cheese. Getting a salad instead of fries, water instead of juice, etc.

Yes, be that person. Your body will thank you.

Final Tip

Create a healthy routine for your meals if you have to. If you know that you have more time in the mornings before classes, you can have a big breakfast or prepare a healthier lunch.

If you know that you have absolutely no time in the mornings, then you can prepare your breakfast the night before (overnight oats, anyone?) etc.

Ultimately, if you want to eat healthy in college, you should build some healthy eating habits while listening to your body all the way.

Happy healthy eating!

– Lailah