back to top

33 Healthy Eating Habits Lazy College Students Will Appreciate

Spoiler: Mac and cheese and ramen are involved.

Posted on




Keep in mind that everyone's needs will vary, so this is by no means a complete guide to healthy eating for every student. If you are concerned about your eating habits, nutrition, or your relationship with food, we suggest checking in with a doctor or nutritionist to address your individual needs and health.

OK, let's get to it:

1. Eating healthfully does not have to mean dieting.





NBC / Via



"You should enjoy your food and go into it thinking 'what do I like and how can I build healthy meals from that?' and it's so much easier," says Andrews.

Plus, certain foods affect people differently, Andrews says, so it's also important to pay attention to how different foods affect your body and energy levels. Just because a food seems healthy, that doesn't mean it's right for you and your digestive system. "Before you worry about cutting fat and sugar, learn the basics of which nutritious foods make your taste buds and body happy."

4. Don't let your class schedule dictate your meals.

Ideally you would be hungry when you get up, break for lunch, and sit down to dinner — but sometimes your six-hour clump of classes isn't conducive to that. So try to plan your meals around your schedule to the best of your ability and stick to it, Rachel Paul, M.S., R.D., founder of The College Nutritionist, told BuzzFeed Life. Then don't forget to pay attention to body cues and eat when you're hungry — even if that means packing a lunch and some snacks for your five-minute breaks.


NBC / Via




"Hanger is the ultimate downfall of healthy eating. When I wait to eat until I'm starving, I end up grabbing any quick foods I can, including candy, chips, or other junk foods! Always have an emergency snack in your purse or backpack, such as a Lara Bar, so you never get to that 'hangry' point! — Ellie Jane Holcomb, Facebook

Some granola bars are better than others, so Paul recommends bars with whole ingredients, about 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and no added sugar.


— Alexandra Vermooten, Facebook


Dina Cheney, "Mug Meals" / Via



"Always take a loop around the dining hall and load up your plate with veggies FIRST. Then go from there and try to add in a protein and some kind of starch." — Rosie McWilliams, Facebook

"Use whatever you like — cooked veggies like broccoli and carrots, or a big salad — and fill up half your plate, or start with a quarter if half is realistically too much for you," says Paul.







Here's a great resource with more helpful photos.


"I'm a fast eater so I'd always be done before my friends in the dining hall, then get more food out of boredom!" —amyl4087ef404


"Don't be afraid to look like a weirdo grabbing free fruit from the dining hall. I've grabbed armfuls of apples before, and was set for a week. Plus if you're already paying for a food plan, snagging a couple apples won't hurt." —Kathleen Marie Herbstritt, Facebook



"A lot of dining halls will accommodate you if you make friends with the cooks, especially on small campuses where they know your face and name. You can also ask for the raw ingredients and prepare items on your own if they don't have time." — Anna Alvarado, Facebook

15. Try not to drink your calories.

Paul suggests first cutting out juice or soda, or diluting it with water and ice to slowly taper off your favorite sugary drinks, which can be super tempting if they're all available in the dining halls.

16. Bring your favorite reusable water bottle with you everywhere.

"Put cool stickers on a big water bottle. Just by having it with you all day you will get in the habit of being so hydrated." — Annagalg


"This is the easiest swap ever," says Andews. "There are so many options that taste very similar to your favorite mac and cheese or frozen meals, but the ingredients are much better — like skim milk, whole wheat pasta, or reduced sodium and sugar." Just because a food has a long shelf-life and it's easy to prepare, that doesn't mean it has to be unhealthy.



"When all else fails: Peanut butter + spoon." — Taylor Barry, Facebook

If you're trying to limit sugar, opt for natural nut butters on your oatmeal, apples, celery, pretzels, spoon...


"Many college students rely on cold breakfast cereal every day," Andrews says. Instead of super sugary options, he suggests finding a cereal with whole grains as the primary ingredient and 10 grams or less of added sugar per serving.


"They're a super simple way to boost the nutritional value of your foods. Heat up frozen vegetables and add them to pasta, pizza, etc. Add frozen fruit to your oatmeal, on top of your ice cream or frozen yogurt, or make a quick smoothie using both fruits and vegetables!" — Christa Nowicki, Facebook


22. And try to add those veggies to basically everything.

"Canned and frozen vegetables are your friend. I add those suckers to everything. Mac and cheese, ramen, cheap canned soup, tuna helper, hamburger helper, microwave rice sides, Chef Boyarde, EVERYTHING. It's a little extra nutrition, texture, and flavor." — Girlwonder1966


Lisa / Via


Find the full fried rice in a mug recipe here.


Molly Reilly / Via


Find more healthy ramen recipes here.

25. Invest in so much tupperware.





Find out how to make it in the microwave here.


"It's a total social pressure to buy lunch when you're in college," says Paul. "If you pack your own lunch it's likely healthier, you can control portions, and you're saving money." Paul suggests either bringing a tupperware with the previous night's leftovers, or making a quick lunch that covers a few food groups (protein + carbs + veggies) — even if it's just a sandwich.


"I make bulk batches of a hearty spaghetti sauce (my go-to is bolognese with lentils swapped for the meat) and freeze it in portions before school starts. That way all I need to do is defrost it and cook some pasta on a busy night." — Felicia-Marie Gauthier, Facebook

29. Or boil a dozen eggs.

Greatist / Via







— Patricia Isabel, Facebook



HIT Entertainment / Via




"Don't beat yourself up for a few days of eating out and going out with friends. Life happens and sometimes the grocery store is just too far away." — Calli Hansen