30 Great Finds - A College Student's Grocery List
Part I in the series: College Cooking 101
Between consuming cafeteria pizza and the ramen noodles, the addition of the freshman
fifteen, is a mystery no longer. Many students don't realize how many healthy meal
options are actually available in college—they assume the cafeteria is their only
option. Knowing what ingredients to look for at the grocery store, the level of
preparation required, and how to make affordable choices can help students eat better
while in school. Cooking your own meals is the key to avoiding the deep-fried, high-carb
food that is often available in college cafeterias.
Outside of the cereal aisle, the grocery store is unfamiliar territory for most
college kids. Plan out a week of meals and make your list before you actually go
to the grocery store. By doing this beforehand, you will avoid making impulse purchases
and breaking your budget. The grocery store is full of inexpensive and healthy items
that require minimal preparation. When combined correctly, the items on this list
provide healthy meal alternatives that help you reintroduce meats and vegetables
into your diet.
-
Fruits. These are great because if in season, they are cheap and very portable.
If you live in a dorm they are a great snack to keep on hand, especially if you
are on the campus meal plan.
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Dried fruits mix
-
Vegetables. Fitting vegetables into your meals is not as difficult as it
seems. If you eat mac and cheese or any other semi-instant pasta dishes, just add
in the veggies while boiling the water for your pasta.
- Stir-fry mix (frozen)
- Frozen peas
- Frozen Broccoli
- Baby carrots (great snack)
- Spaghetti sauce
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
-
Protein. Often, college kids are protein deprived. It's certainly easier
to make ramen noodles, but not as healthy. Adding protein to your diet is a great
way to increase your energy and balance your carb intake. Protein is more filling
and has less calories per gram than carbs.
- Milk
- Lunch meat
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Trail mix (good high-protein snack)
- Chicken tenderloins (frozen)
- Black beans (good addition to rice or cous cous)
- Hummus
-
Breads, Grains & Pasta
- Whole wheat pasta
- Whole grain bread
- Rice
- Cous cous
- Tortellini
- Whole grain cereal
-
Meals on the Go
- Cereal bars
- Campbell's single serving soups
- Lean Cuisine Frozen Dinners
- When purchasing
single serving meals observe their protein, fiber, and fat content. These three
areas should tell you a good deal about the product you are consuming and help you
determine if it is in fact a healthy option. A good product should have higher amounts
of protein and fiber and a low fat content.
-
Miscellaneous
- Olive oil
- Butter