Life Hacks: How to Eat Healthy for the College Student With a Busy Schedule

Most of us fall into the ever-receding pit of feeling hungry until lunch comes along; if it comes along at all. Dealing with classes or work can make it difficult to get a snack in during the day. It can be more difficult to make time for a healthy snack.

However, there is a way to snack without feeling guilty for eating empty calories or high fat foods.

• Pack a snack the night before or wake up two minutes earlier in the morning to do so before class or work. This will ensure you have your snack before you are rushing around.
  
  
• Eat high fiber, high protein foods in the morning: yogurts, single serve applesauce or fruit cups, peanut butter, crackers, pretzels, eggs, high-fiber cereals or grains, oatmeal, fruits and nuts.
  
  
• Keep a healthy snack available in your car, desk or backpack to ensure that you don’t eat potato chips or other unhealthy snacks regularly.
  
  
• When planning your snack, make sure it’s something you can easily take out and eat in between classes or breaks.

Here are some healthy snack ideas:

• Try mixing up your normal snack routine with something more lively. Combine honey and peanut butter or almond butter for a dip for apples, carrots, celery, pretzels, crackers or bananas.
  
  
• Mix frozen or fresh berries with yogurt and even granola to make your own low calorie parfait.
  
  
• Top whole grain crackers with sliced cheese, cottage cheese or ricotta cheese topped with tomatoes or fruits, or even tuna.
  
  
• You can also spread avocado on the crackers or use avocado as a dip for vegetables.
  
  
• Hummus is a great dip for vegetables, as well, and whole grain pitas can come in large or small sizes, great for on-the-go eating.
• Try making your own trail mix. It can ensure less salt and unwanted things in your bag. You can mix high fiber cereal with dried fruits (cranberries or blueberries) and with almond, pistachio, or macadamia nuts.

Juicing is another great way to ensure you get the proper amount of vegetable intake. It is as simple as taking a small amount of fruits and vegetables, most common are kale, banana, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber and live watercress, while then blending them together in a blender or to retain more of the nutrients, a juicer. You can also add whey protein powder and/or flaxseed to the juice mixture for an extra boost in the mornings or before/after a work out.

Lastly, if you enjoy cooking, then protein balls are a new, interesting way to ingest protein and fiber. You can find a recipe online. Just plan ahead because these will need refrigerated before you can enjoy them.

Keeping your diet balanced and healthy can have a major impact on your concentration levels and cognitive retention. Over time, eating healthy will cause you to feel more energized and ready to take on the day. Your body will thank you.

Anna Ashcraft is the Managing Editor of Arts for The Spectator.

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