I know how hard it is to make a healthy meal for yourself when you have all the school work to do. During dental school, I had several years where I had lived by myself to be closer to school and living alone challenged me to cook up some quick and healthy meals that would help me stay healthy and in shape. Here are my best and easy diet ideas for students I personally recommend.
1. Blueberry and greek yogurt
There is nothing better than fruits and greek yogurt in the morning. They are rich in probiotics which helped improve my sensitive bowels over time, and they also have a fair amount of protein and other important nutrients. The best part is that it doesn't get you feeling bloated. Feel free to add other fruits of your liking such as strawberries, bananas, apples, kiwis, etc.
2. Maple cinnamon oatmeal
In addition to the fruits and yogurt, I would also have some warm oatmeal if I still feel hungry or when I am craving something sweet. This is also something that's light enough to make you feel less bloated. It can be any flavour, but my favourite has always been maple cinnamon.
3. Ashwagandha
This isn't really a diet per say, but it is a supplement which I've taken daily. I normally don't rely on supplements for anything, not even Tylenol for pain. But I've noticed that these ashwagandha supplements do help calm myself down, reduce stress and anxiety especially if taken at the start of the day.
Some also say that it helps with insomnia.
4. Cooked salmon with pan-fried cabbage
This was my go-to meal in undergrad years. It's not only easy to prepare, but it is rich in omega-3 which we all know is good for your blood and cardiac health. Of course, adding a bit of veggie helps reduce the scent of salmon. Adding a bit of Teriyaki sauce also makes the meal a lot tastier. It doesn't have to be salmon, you can also try tilapia and mackerel.
5. Chicken thighs or ground beef with pan-fried onions
I've had chicken breast 6 months straight when I was cutting and working out 5 times a week during my undergrad. Since then, I could never really go back to it because of its dry texture. As I was looking for an alternative, I came across chicken thighs which were quite high in fats but had a much better texture than chicken breast. Another meat option is any lean or extra lean ground beef. Adding a bit of veggie like chopped up onions will add more flavour and richness to the meal.
There are lots more options, but I am sharing ones I've personally cooked and enjoyed in my undergrad years. They are food options that also helped me stay in shape when I had a lot of enthusiasm for body-building and looking athletic. So, try them for yourself and let me know if thete are other meals you recommend for students.
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