Eating right while at school?

[Mike]

Not sure if this is the right section so if it isn't just move it but I figured I put it in here since this forum gets the most attention. Or just merge it will my goals thread in here.

Now that I'm back at school where I have limited food choices (dorm food) I'm finding it hard to stay with my old eating habits that I had during the summer when I was eating healthy, drinking a lot of water, etc.

Basically my options are like this:

For breakfast there's pastries like muffins, scones, etc. There's also breakfast burrittos, bagel sandwiches, or just plain eggs and sausage.

For lunch there's salads, soup (clam chowder/veggy), sandwiches (chicken on roll, turkey, "italian" and grilled cheese) and then there are a bunch of stuff like chips/yogurt/gold fish, etc. to go along with it.

Dinner options are basically the same as lunch except they have hamburgers/hot dogs/chicken burgers also.

Since I'm living in the dorms it's hard for me to make my own food as we're not allowed microwaves/george foreman grills, etc. so the only thing I have in my room to eat is some NutriGrain bars and Nature Valley oat bars along with my fridge where I keep water/Propel.

My question is what suggestions do you guys have about trying to eat a healthy diet with what I've said my options are. I've only been drinking water/Propel/Vitamin water occasionally so now I just need to figure out what food I can eat without going overboard.

[bellavus]

You can always store salad greens in your fridge for a quick snack. Also, think about getting fruit, veggies as well to snack on.

The best thing to eat in the morning would be the plain eggs (minus the sausage), or the breakfast burritos. Do they have cereal?

I would get a turkey sandwich for lunch (try to stay away from the processed meats and cheeses). Also include a salad or soup with that.

For dinner, I would get a chicken burger, with a salad or soup.

[Sportsmedjosh]

Do your school post what they are going to be serving in advance. I know most schools have a lot of the same items every morning the cereals, breads, etc but just change the main courses. If they put them online what I would do is on Sunday night plan what your going to have for that week.

[Mike]

Yes, the school posts it online and it almost never changes AFAIK. I am going to try and make a meal plan using their menu and then I'll post it.

[Sportsmedjosh]

Can't wait to see this.

[svorly]

I would get a microwave and possibly a GF grill regardless. That's just me, though. I'd say you could stick with the eggs and sausage, bagels, salads, turkey wraps, turkey sandwiches, etc. For me the real trouble is keeping up the volume. Let us know what you have to deal with. I'm interested to know.

[prophet]

we weren't allowed them, either, but i had an uber nice microwave (complete with convection oven) and a george foreman in my room. i brought a toaster in, too. i usually ate a bagel for breakfast, ate a LOT of chicken breasts on the george foreman (seasoned with lemon cayenne pepper + barbecue sauce), and at a lot of fruit. i find it easier to eat while i'm away at school than at home because i bought my own food constantly and, therefore, got to choose everything. i ate a lot of apples, grapes, granola bars, chicken, bagels, peanuts, bananas, and water. the wraps idea is a good one, too. most schools allow microwaves up to a certain power level, so double check that. most don't allow a flame of any kind, and the power level also (george foreman), is why most grills aren't allowed. if you get ambitious, bring in an electric frying pan and you can cook up a full breakfast for yourself. i stole a lot of silverware from the cafeteria, too, so i had stuff to cook and eat with as well.

[Dalton]

Originally Posted by svorly

I would get a microwave and possibly a GF grill regardless. That's just me, though. I'd say you could stick with the eggs and sausage, bagels, salads, turkey wraps, turkey sandwiches, etc. For me the real trouble is keeping up the volume. Let us know what you have to deal with. I'm interested to know.

Depending on the sausage. Lots of sausage are high in fat, particularly saturated fat. There are some healthy ones, but school-served ones are not they. Also bagels, no. No type of bagel is good, even the whole wheat ones. Stick to regular whole wheat bread.

Its not hard to eat right at school/work. It just takes preperation. I sit in an office all day and still manage to eat a clean schedule of food and every couple hours. Why? because I prepare. Get yourself a shaker and bring some protein powder with you in your bag. Mix it with water from a waterfountain for a snack. Bring a fruit & nut mix (how much will depend on whether you are bulking or cutting as these are calorie dense). Fruit is an option. Pack a PB sandwhich (natural pb on whole wheat) for a snack. Things like that.

Mark

[Sportsmedjosh]

^ Sound advice. I also love tuna packets I'll eat 3 a week for lunch.