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It can be a challenge to get back into the swing of things after a long break. Not only do we have to have good time management of our academics, extracurriculars, and social life during our time in college, but it’s super important for us to prioritize our health during the busy semester. One of the best ways to prioritize our health is the way we eat. Not everyone is the biggest fan of meal prep (myself included), and we get bored of eating the same meal every day. Here are some helpful tips to maximize our meals, in making them convenient, easy, and nutritious for our hectic schedules!

Make a plan 

Having an understanding of our semester schedules and marking the times we are in class, having important meetings, doing extracurricular activities, and so on is a good first step to see when we have time to make food. It is also good to note the day(s) you would like to eat or dine out, which can be helpful as you manage your food budget and costs. 

“Eat The Rainbow”

You may have heard the term “eat the rainbow,” when it comes to nutrition. The statement holds so much truth when it comes to eating conveniently, in making it a priority to consume colorful foods, which are found in our fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals, which lower our exposure to chronic diseases and inflammation, while promoting our energy levels through vitamin and mineral intake. Some of my favorite and convenient ways to get fruits and vegetables in my diet include adding berries into a smoothie, adding a blend of vegetables into a stir-fry, and using raw vegetables such as carrots and celery in addition for dips. 

Purchase Frozen 

It is annoying to find food rotting for weeks in the fridge. To limit this from happening, opting for frozen foods can make convenient eating affordable and just as nutritious as fresh foods. When using frozen foods, you are reducing the amount of food wasted from spoilage. You are also reducing the amount of time you would need to prep your meals. Ensure that you buy frozen foods that are low in salt, added sugars, and saturated fats. My favorite way to incorporate frozen foods is buying a pack of frozen vegetables in bulk at Costco, and incorporating them in my different meals. 

Prioritize Snacks!!

One of the worst feelings is being low on energy during classes, making you hard to focus during lecture. It is important that you make sure and stock your pantry with on-the-go snacks to take with you in between classes to sustain your energy levels. Some of my personal favorites are roasted pistachio for healthy fats and Greek yogurt topped with berries for protein and fiber. 

What to “Add” and not “Subtract” 

Lastly when building convenient snacks or meals, we want to ask ourselves what ingredients to “add” rather than “subtract.” We want to build balanced snacks and meals by incorporating carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fiber to sustain our energy levels throughout our day. We can add nut butter and sliced bananas onto plain toast, and dips such as hummus paired with carrots and celery for more nutrient-density. Eating conveniently during the semester does not have to be complicated and understanding the concept of adding to our snacks and meals will set us up for success for our busy schedule! 

Written by GUADS intern Kristen, with contributions from healthline.com, eatright.org, and eatingwell.com