Looking for help in creating useful general diet plan while living in the dorms

mcr0980

I'm a college student and athlete who is trying to reach a healthier lifestyle. I have definitely been struggling lately, but I've been working out with my boyfriend which is definitely motivating me to be healthier. I lift with him 2-4 times a week in addition to attending a two hour lacrosse practice twice a week. I feel myself getting stronger but my biggest weakness and block to reaching my goals is definitely food.

The issue here is that I currently am on my second year of living on campus, and the food is a struggle. I generally eat five meals a week (one per weekday) at a dining hall or other campus-run food establishment. My other meals/snacks are eaten in my room or at work.

I'm looking for some help in creating a general plan/rules to follow while eating. I am not picky, I love veggies and almost always get a salad when eating on campus. But I also get tempted by the chicken sandwiches, burgers, pizza (the bane of my entire existence), etc... Also when at work on break I often just eat something I can make there. Working at a Dairy Queen, I'm sure you can see my issue. I would really appreciate if someone could maybe offer a shopping list to provide snacks and my at home meals, and maybe some guidelines to follow while I'm eating at a campus dining hall. Also keep in mind I have limited funds, being a college student. I can probably afford about $30-$40 in groceries maximum per week or so. I also have only a small fridge, no freezer, and a microwave to use for food prep.

If this helps, my general workouts are lifting based when I'm with my boyfriend, and lacrosse is obviously mainly cardio. I do not really crave sweets as much as I crave the savory things; those are my weakness. Thanks in advance!

RodaRose

Eat items like the Grilled Chicken chicken sandwich at Dairy Queen. In the school cafeteria, focus on grilled or baked items that are low-ish in calories. Some days eat a hamburger or piece of pizza or two. As an athlete, you can fit those into your calorie goals. Buy fresh fruit, cut up veggies, nuts, and yogurt or cottage cheese for your other meals in your room. Ask the manager of the cafeteria to provide you with calorie information.
When do you get out of school for the year??

ryanhorn

Here is a pretty solid list of things you can buy for your dorm: http://www.cjnutrition.com/healthy-food/85-dorm-room-nutrition-part-1-the-shopping-list I was a personally a huge fan of oatmeal and microwaved eggs when I was living in the dorms because they're super easy to make.

Do your boyfriend or any of your friends live off campus? You could also try cooking at their place on Sundays for the entire week and storing meals in your fridge that you can heat up in the microwave.

Also, don't feel like you need to cut out the burgers, pizza, and all of that either because you only college once! Eat what you love every now and then, but make decisions that will help you reach your goals like half-cheese pizzas and taking half the bun off your burger. Have you heard of IIFYM? Google it. I think you'd be a good candidate for that way of eating.

Good luck!