5 Quick Tips for Food During the School/Work Year
I LOVE eating out, as you can probably tell from our usual Thursday food posts, but I actually only eat out 1-2 times a week. This formed during university, when my budget was at its littlest, and led me to pick up a few things that worked for me to keep my costs low while eating healthy.
Some of these might work for you, too, and maybe help you avoid that dreaded freshman 15.
1. Remember, just because you are eating in, doesn't mean you can't indulge in your favourites. I love breakfast food and brunch is a weakness. It's isn't feasible to go every week, financially speaking, so I always have maple syrup, and a pancake mix around for Saturday or Sunday morning cravings.
2. Have a handful of no-fuss, ready-in-5-minutes, go-to meals. My general rule of thumb with these is that I should be able to cook them in one pot or one pan, and they need to have a source of protein, as well as lots of veggies.
3. Further to that, set aside some time once a week to cook a meal with enough portions for at least a couple, if not all, your lunches. For me, that's now Sunday evenings. My favourite cook-ahead meal is a rice soup, or I guess it's more of a stew, that just gets better each meal.
4. Pack snacks. I used to always bring nuts, dried fruit, baby carrots, and/or granola bars in some combination to eat in class or in-between classes. If I don't snack, I find I'll end up eating really unhealthily later.
5. Instant meals are a college staple, but don't make them healthier by adding some veg. Mac-n-chees with broccoli, for example, is pretty delicious
I guess an overall theme here is to prepare ahead, and know yourself when you are busy, lazy, or stressed. I always found that when I took the time to sort out my food in advance of finals, for example, I ate and felt better. If I don't have a calm moment, I always have a meal I can whip up in a few minute without much thought or effort that will be healthy and taste great.
Some of these might work for you, too, and maybe help you avoid that dreaded freshman 15.
1. Remember, just because you are eating in, doesn't mean you can't indulge in your favourites. I love breakfast food and brunch is a weakness. It's isn't feasible to go every week, financially speaking, so I always have maple syrup, and a pancake mix around for Saturday or Sunday morning cravings.
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| Breakfast at home |
2. Have a handful of no-fuss, ready-in-5-minutes, go-to meals. My general rule of thumb with these is that I should be able to cook them in one pot or one pan, and they need to have a source of protein, as well as lots of veggies.
3. Further to that, set aside some time once a week to cook a meal with enough portions for at least a couple, if not all, your lunches. For me, that's now Sunday evenings. My favourite cook-ahead meal is a rice soup, or I guess it's more of a stew, that just gets better each meal.
4. Pack snacks. I used to always bring nuts, dried fruit, baby carrots, and/or granola bars in some combination to eat in class or in-between classes. If I don't snack, I find I'll end up eating really unhealthily later.
5. Instant meals are a college staple, but don't make them healthier by adding some veg. Mac-n-chees with broccoli, for example, is pretty delicious
I guess an overall theme here is to prepare ahead, and know yourself when you are busy, lazy, or stressed. I always found that when I took the time to sort out my food in advance of finals, for example, I ate and felt better. If I don't have a calm moment, I always have a meal I can whip up in a few minute without much thought or effort that will be healthy and taste great.
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