As college students it can be difficult to find time to eat full meals in between classes, even though eating enough throughout the day can help productivity and staying focused in classes.
Taking a little time to pack simple, healthy and delicious meals is a great way to eat on the go.
Alyssa Leventhal, a sophomore education major, runs a fitness account, @getfitwithalyssa_, where she shows the meals she eats. One of her favorite packable lunches is a wrap. She uses a spinach tortilla, turkey and plenty of veggies. She also brings lots of snacks with her to classes. Some of her go-tos are cheese sticks, pretzels and veggie straws. She always makes sure to carry around her water bottle and fill it up throughout the day.
Another easy and classic lunch that can be packed for classes are sandwiches. Andrew Chodes, a sophomore journalism major, rotates between turkey and cheese, peanut butter and jelly or egg salad. “They are easy to prep in advance and bring on the go,” said Chodes. For snacks he likes to bring yogurt, goldfish or fruit.
Mason jars are a great way to pack a variety of different lunches to take to class. Overnight oats are a simple recipe that can be personalized in so many different ways. Fruits, nut butters, and even pudding mixes can be added to switch up the taste.
Making layered salads is another way to use mason jars. Sydney Rodis, a sophomore communications major, loves to layer her favorite toppings to make yummy salads. Rodis says, “I go into my fridge and find whatever veggies I have. I’ll then cut them and layer them in a mason jar and pop it in my bag for classes.”
Rodis also loves protein boxes from Starbucks and will create her own at home. She adds different types of cheese, hummus, guac, crackers and fruit into tupperware. “I honestly find it faster and easier to make the box at home and bring it instead of stopping at Starbucks. And it's cheaper,” said Rodis.
Finding a few minutes to make lunch for the next day is a great way to decompress at the end of a long day and to help start the next day off right.