How to Eat Healthy as a College Student

You’re a college student, which means that you’re probably pretty strapped for cash. If you can’t afford to go out and buy the most expensive, super healthy food items from the grocery store, how are you supposed to eat healthy? The good news is that you don’t have to spend tons of money to eat nutritious meals. By being smart about what food items you choose and keeping an eye on your portion sizes, it’s easy to enjoy some very tasty and healthy meals even when money is tight. Here are some tips for eating healthy on a budget

Fresh Produce

Fruits and vegetables are crucial for any diet. Here’s why: Fruits and veggies contain many of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that can benefit your overall health. A lack of produce in your diet is linked to an increased risk of chronic disease such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, cancer and more. Additionally healthy foods will help you fight cravings since they are packed with nutrients and water you need throughout the day. There is no shortage of fresh produce available across campus so try to incorporate plenty in your daily routine. In addition stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day which will go along way when trying to lose weight or maintain it as well!

Healthy Canned Food

There’s no need to settle for canned vegetables if you’re trying to eat healthy. The problem isn’t necessarily that canned food is bad; it’s just not always good, either. Most cans use a BPA-based lining, which can leach into your food. The key is selecting cans with BPA-free labels—sometimes they cost more but they’re well worth it.

Healthy Packaged Food

If you aren’t going to make your own healthy food, then it’s important to be conscious of what kind of foods you buy when you’re at grocery stores and corner markets. Convenience foods are often loaded with salt, sugar, and preservatives—ingredients that can cause weight gain over time. Look for packaged foods that contain fewer than five ingredients; if it has more than five, put it back on the shelf! Also, avoid buying frozen or boxed meals with long lists of ingredients or nutritional information that looks like an eye chart (they're hiding something). Instead choose fresh-packaged foods such as sandwiches from delis or sushi from supermarkets.

Liquids

You are not alone if you don’t like cooking much, and your friends all know that you love cheap, healthy food. The truth is there are plenty of convenient and comfortable meals out there – it just takes some preparation and willingness to get over a few do-it-yourself hurdles. While they aren’t always healthy, convenience stores have great pre-made smoothies (try different fruits/combinations) and salads (that’s right – bring your own dressing), so make a trip once or twice a week. Restaurants will often let you substitute fries for salads or provide healthier options than what appears on their menus; call ahead and ask questions if you can’t find anything online.

Fats

Good or Bad? One of America’s favorite pastimes is talking about food—and often, that means talking about what we should and shouldn’t be eating. There are some foods, like fats and carbohydrates, that fall into both categories. Some people believe that all fat is bad for us; others claim it's actually healthy. What's true? Is there such thing as a good fat or a bad one? The answer isn't so simple.

Mix it Up

It can be tempting to subsist on college staples such as pizza, frozen meals, ramen noodles and takeout. The problem is that these convenience foods are generally high in fat and calories, which will make it difficult for you to lose weight. A great way to ensure that you don’t get tired of eating healthy is by mixing up your menu with new flavors. Explore different cuisines and experiment with foods you may not have tried before—you might discover a new favorite dish or even fall in love with whole new food groups! If you're not sure where to start, consult an ethnic cuisine guide online; they'll give ideas for ingredients and recipes of foods from many different cultures.