How to Eat Plant Based While at College

College is stressful. When you start college, you are suddenly exposed to new and strange experiences. One of those experiences is the cafeteria. Yuck. No more home cooking, and your parents will no longer have a say over what you eat. So you have freedom, but freedom involves more choices. Do you eat the cake and take an extra helping of mystery casserole, or do you hit the salad bar? It's your choice. You are responsible for your health.

All cafeterias are different, and some are much better than others. At my college, I have some decent plant based options, but it is still limited. Living in a dorm also creates all kinds of issues. Hopefully by the end of this post you will see that eating plant based is manageable and easy while at college, no matter what college you go to. The only things you will need are a blender, microwave, electric teapot, and mini fridge.

Here is an example of an easy daily meal plan you could utilize whether you are in a dorm, apartment, or townhouse.

Breakfast options:

- Instant oatmeal + banana + cinnamon

- Whole grain toast + peanut butter + jelly

- Plant based smoothie (made with almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk), no protein powder needed!

- Whole grain cereal like corn flakes or muesli, preferably no sugar if available.

- Over night oats (tons of recipes on Pinterest, and I will post some as well)

- Any fruit

Lunch and Dinner options:

- You should eat one big salad per day. Get a salad from the salad bar and eat as much of it as you need to! Also add beans and whole grains like quinoa or rice if you have the option (minus any gross dressings that have dairy/animal products!)

- Plant based smoothie

- Corn/whole wheat tortillas, beans, rice, veggies

- Try to find steamed/baked veggies (preferably any vegetables not cooked with oil if available) and see if you can get a baked russet or sweet potato. Even microwaved potatoes, or microwaved frozen or fresh veggies would be fine! Utilize the microwave!!

- Veggies + hummus + whole grain sandwich/wrap

- Stuffed baked/microwaved potatoes (I will make a whole different post about stuffed potatoes!)

- veggies + rice + beans

- taco/burrito without meat or cheese

- spaghetti with marinara (no meat or cheese)

Snacks:

Veggies and hummus or other bean dip

Nuts

Seeds

Raisins

Dried fruit

Apple with nut butter

Any fruit or veggie

Corn or whole grain tortilla w/ nut butter and jelly

These are just a few options. You could probably find more on Pinterest. Just search for easy plant based/vegan recipes and see what you can find!

I ate these food combos during Freshman and Sophomore year and did great! I am also a student athlete and eat like this. No need to worry about any deficiencies or lack of protein. You may want to consider taking an Omega 3 and B12 supplement, but other than that you are set! Just make sure you eat tons of veggies!

*Note: If you have problems with acne, do NOT eat anything with nuts, seeds, oil, avocado, açaí, coconut, or soy.