Let’s face it, even though most people say they’ll eat healthy foods in college, the temptations in the dining hall sometimes prove to be too much. Sure, you go into Barone saying you’ll get a salad and some form of protein, but then you catch sight of the pizza or french fries, your morale weakens and you end up saying, “I’ll start eating healthy tomorrow instead.” Here are some healthy, easy-to-get options to keep in your dorm to balance out your diet.
1. Almond Milk
I swear by this stuff. It’s leagues better than soy milk and regular milk, and the chocolate almond milk tastes better than a milkshake. This is a great alternative if you’re lactose intolerant like myself or just sick of regular milk. The chocolate almond milk also works great after a workout to boost recovery, help build muscle and regain lost sugars and vitamins back as quickly as possible.
2. Tea
Sure, coffee may have more caffeine in it, but a good cup of any type of tea in the morning will give you the boost you need without the major caffeine crash coffee brings come midday. Sleepytime tea is also a good way to wind down at the end of the day.
3. Green vegetables
The greener the vegetable, the better it is for you. Personally, I hate kale and do not understand how people can eat it, but if you just so happen to be one of those people, props to you. There are other vegetables besides kale, like peas, spinach, broccoli, watercress, and green beans that work just as well and are more widely appreciated. Same goes for salad leaves. I know the iceberg lettuce tastes better, but it has nowhere near as many necessary vitamins and minerals as the darker romaine and spinach leaves do.
4. Raisins
Want a good post-workout snack that isn’t a sugary sports drink or energy gel? Look no further than raisins. These little guys will give you all the energy boost you need during or after your sports workout without all the added sugar of Gatorade.
5. Berries
Have you ever heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well, this saying isn’t entirely true. Apples have a surprisingly high amount of sugar, making them a sub-par choice for a fruit snack. However, according to WebMD, most berries, whether they be strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries or any other type of berry, are much better for you in the long run as they have many essential antioxidants that other fruits lack. I tend to put pieces of strawberries in my water in the morning for a refreshing boost throughout the day as well.
6. Granola
Ah, granola. An extremely easy option for all. Whether it be served crumbled on top of yogurt in the morning or in the form of a bar for a quick mid-afternoon snack, granola is an easy option when you feel the need to balance out that ice cream you ate with your meal. My personal favorite is the KIND granola, as it doesn’t have any harmful GMOs that some other granola does. They also sell KIND granola bars in the bookstore, which is great when leaving campus isn’t an option.
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