Remember how I once mentioned I would post more with wellness tips? I just wrote up another one--this time on nutrition. Here are my tips to make fitting in healthy meals and snacks/other tips a lot easier each day...
1. Pack up snacks and meals the night before
With the school year starting again, it can be hard to not know how to pack your lunches or snacks, let alone how to have them be as healthy as possible. I know while at college, I swear almost every student I see either 1. eats out for lunch or 2. does not eat(/forgets they should eat) 3. Only eats snack foods. With my big appetite, my CF causing me to need more nutrients, and small budget, this is all a no-go. I've found that packing the night before makes it so much easier. (Time after time again I have roommates or guests ask me what I'm making for dinner--to respond I'm packing a lunch.) With that being said, I found a way to make packing a lot easier. I am also big about trying to keep up with nutrients through easy, convenient ways. I know there's a lot of ways you can go about packing lunches, but this has worked best for me and I oftentimes get asked where to find them...
Note: I was NOT asked by this brand to promote these products--this is solely personally discovering it and using it because it's helped packing lunches be a lot easier and better.
One day while browsing the magical world of Target, I came across this brand Systema. (I have also seen them at places like TJMaxx and I know they would also be online.) I tried these out for the first time a couple semesters ago and I have loved them ever since! I am being 100% honest when I say I use them ALL the time for about everything!!
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| Note that this parfait one isn't Systema brand, but it was at Target and is awesome! (fruit and yogurt in the bottom, granola on top. I am also going to use it for milk and cereal to bring breakfast on the go.) |
Here is an idea of what to put inside one:
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| Chicken Cesar salad and cantaloupe (I had the dressing in its own container) and also had croutons with it and a granola bar on the side. |
What is so great about these is they have their own compartments for everything--no more Ziploc bags!! You can put your veggies in there with its own place for dip, you can have your own salad dressing containers, and so on. They have everything from salad containers to put your toppings on the top of the lid (i.e. fruit, cheese, nuts, whatever you desire) so the rest of the salad doesn't get soggy, a sandwich lunchbox to put your bread and meat in one compartment and your tomatoes or avocado in another so the whole sandwich doesn't get soggy when you pack it...the ideas are limitless.
Take my word for it when I say these have helped a buttload to cut back on Ziploc baggies and make packing lunches a lot easier/a lot more flexible. I pack my food the night before and bring it to my classes and/or work the next day.
2. Bring a water bottle. Always.
Don't like water? There are options.
Those who know me well know I always have to carry around water with me. Needless to say it's easier to drink more when you have it right there in front of you.
While working at my internship, one of the most common complaints I heard from those who drink more sugared beverages (i.e. soda), they don't like drinking water, because it has no taste. I personally love just drinking water, but I know that people have different preferences and cravings. I know some people like the Crystallite packets, but here is another option...
For some people, this may be a helpful option to be motivated to drink more water--a fruit infuser water bottle which has a separate compartment for whichever fruit or herbs you decide to put in but allows the pulp to diffuse into the water. It tastes great! I know this may not be necessary for everyone, but it is an idea if you want to find a way to make it easier to drink more water--plus to get some extra vitamins in while you're drinking.
3. (Homemade) freezer meals
Don't have time to cook during the week? Try preparing meals one day a week (Sunday works best for me) that you can freeze beforehand. Then, all you have to do is pop the meal in the microwave or conventional oven. Some of my favorite recipes include:
Breakfast burritos
Slow Cooker mango chicken
and the variety of Stir Fry's you can do
(Here is a list of foods you can freeze so they last longer!
If YOU have any ideas that you swear by to make food prep easier and staying healthier in the school year, comment below or send them over! I'd love to hear more!
P.S. I promise I'll be better about writing on here more often!! (Even though I always say that, I really do mean it.)
2. Bring a water bottle. Always.
Don't like water? There are options.
Those who know me well know I always have to carry around water with me. Needless to say it's easier to drink more when you have it right there in front of you.
While working at my internship, one of the most common complaints I heard from those who drink more sugared beverages (i.e. soda), they don't like drinking water, because it has no taste. I personally love just drinking water, but I know that people have different preferences and cravings. I know some people like the Crystallite packets, but here is another option...
3. (Homemade) freezer meals
Don't have time to cook during the week? Try preparing meals one day a week (Sunday works best for me) that you can freeze beforehand. Then, all you have to do is pop the meal in the microwave or conventional oven. Some of my favorite recipes include:
Breakfast burritos
Slow Cooker mango chicken
and the variety of Stir Fry's you can do
(Here is a list of foods you can freeze so they last longer!
If YOU have any ideas that you swear by to make food prep easier and staying healthier in the school year, comment below or send them over! I'd love to hear more!
P.S. I promise I'll be better about writing on here more often!! (Even though I always say that, I really do mean it.)
