I don't have time to cook

WingardiumLeviosa91

I live in a dormitory and go to class during the day, so I buy all my food ready. I am worried if that's too bad. However I eat healthy stuff, sandwiches, tomatoes, fruits, canned tuna few times a day, ham, bread... Can you suggest me healthy and nutritive snacks for my weight loss? Thanks.

Dangouille

Is it possible for you to have access to a microwave ? I would suggest that you eat less bread (not at all would be better) and have some oat meal in the morning. If you can access to a microwave, you could prepare some quick healthy meal that you could keep in a container and eat later. I would avoid at all cost processed food as they are usually high in salt and chemicals.

Check out on YouTube or Google some quick healthy meals, there you should get some good recipes.

Sued0nim

WingardiumLeviosa91 wrote: »

I live in a dormitory and go to class during the day, so I buy all my food ready. I am worried if that's too bad. However I eat healthy stuff, sandwiches, tomatoes, fruits, canned tuna few times a day, ham, bread... Can you suggest me healthy and nutritive snacks for my weight loss? Thanks.

I work full-time, have two children, hobbies and a full social life and I seem to manage it so maybe, it's not about time .. maybe, just maybe, you need to re-prioritise because to be honest you have the most time when you're young and unencumbered by family and work not the least - so get the attitude right now and you're on a win

Do you have a fridge or freezer? if so batch cook when you have a spare hour. If not that is more challenging.

Spend an hour checking nutritional guidelines in the shops of pre-packed foods - some are really good and will work with your macros - there's these BOL veg pots that are delicious over salad leaves (you'd need a microwave) - can recommend the thai coconut curry and the lentil sambar

Hummous
Crudites
Cheese
Yogurts

it's all about weighing and measuring so in the right portion size any food can help

WingardiumLeviosa91

rabbitjb wrote: »

WingardiumLeviosa91 wrote: »

I live in a dormitory and go to class during the day, so I buy all my food ready. I am worried if that's too bad. However I eat healthy stuff, sandwiches, tomatoes, fruits, canned tuna few times a day, ham, bread... Can you suggest me healthy and nutritive snacks for my weight loss? Thanks.

I work full-time, have two children, hobbies and a full social life and I seem to manage it so maybe, it's not about time .. maybe, just maybe, you need to re-prioritise because to be honest you have the most time when you're young and unencumbered by family and work not the least - so get the attitude right now and you're on a win

Do you have a fridge or freezer? if so batch cook when you have a spare hour. If not that is more challenging.

Spend an hour checking nutritional guidelines in the shops of pre-packed foods - some are really good and will work with your macros - there's these BOL veg pots that are delicious over salad leaves (you'd need a microwave) - can recommend the thai coconut curry and the lentil sambar

Hummous
Crudites
Cheese
Yogurts

it's all about weighing and measuring so in the right portion size any food can help

I have a fridge in my room, but I don't have an oven or a stove. I can use the microwave at the common kitchen, but I don't know how to cook in a microwave.

WingardiumLeviosa91

Dangouille wrote: »

Is it possible for you to have access to a microwave ? I would suggest that you eat less bread (not at all would be better) and have some oat meal in the morning. If you can access to a microwave, you could prepare some quick healthy meal that you could keep in a container and eat later. I would avoid at all cost processed food as they are usually high in salt and chemicals.

Check out on YouTube or Google some quick healthy meals, there you should get some good recipes.

I have access to a microwave. Can it cook regular food? Bread is the only filling thing I eat I have Dr Oether vitalis with oat meal in it, but it tastes basically horrible, I can't eat it.

Sued0nim

Microwavable does make for challenges

Cartons of egg white or egg (I'm intolerant of yolk so always get the cartons), scrambled with spinach, mushroom, cheese or ham is delicious and easy to microwave - great on toast

Jacket potatoes and cottage cheese / beans / salad / tuna

Re-heating pots is good

Perhaps invest in a slow cooker? There's loads of casserole style recipes on www.skinnytaste.com for slow cookers and they are gorgeous - then you get a meal when you get home plus can package extras up for microwaving over the next couple of days (my favourite is the chicken cacciatore but I do tweak it to my own taste with zuccini and thyme)

WingardiumLeviosa91

rabbitjb wrote: »

Microwavable does make for challenges

Cartons of egg white or egg (I'm intolerant of yolk so always get the cartons), scrambled with spinach, mushroom, cheese or ham is delicious and easy to microwave - great on toast

Jacket potatoes and cottage cheese / beans / salad / tuna

Re-heating pots is good

Perhaps invest in a slow cooker? There's loads of casserole style recipes on www.skinnytaste.com for slow cookers and they are gorgeous - then you get a meal when you get home plus can package extras up for microwaving over the next couple of days (my favourite is the chicken cacciatore but I do tweak it to my own taste with zuccini and thyme)

I could get a cooker, but they are not allowed in the dormitory, and I live in the same building with the management. The place has very harsh rules. But I have an egg boiler, and I make eggs in it. Yes, I should be eating more vegetables. I'll buy mushrooms and spinach on Sunday.

glassyo

Since you have use of a microwave, you can buy a fish and veggies microwave steamer which should help with some variety.

kshama2001

Is there food served on campus? Are you already paying for a food plan?

WingardiumLeviosa91

glassyo wrote: »

Since you have use of a microwave, you can buy a fish and veggies microwave steamer which should help with some variety.

I eat canned tuna fish daily. Today I bought veggies, made a spinach salad and bought cheese-filled mushrooms, they were expensive but too delicious!

WingardiumLeviosa91

kshama2001 wrote: »

Is there food served on campus? Are you already paying for a food plan?

yes but they use very heavy sunflower oil, so I don't eat the served food. I buy my own food from the market.

jgnatca

To save time and expense, you might be able to take advantage of the food served on campus with your own additions. For instance, eat a portion of the main meal served, and add your own salad or fruit.

WingardiumLeviosa91

jgnatca wrote: »

To save time and expense, you might be able to take advantage of the food served on campus with your own additions. For instance, eat a portion of the main meal served, and add your own salad or fruit.

But we pay for the meal served anyway... and they are not cheap. I only buy from school when I am late for class and I need a sandwich for breakfast.

SLLeask

Is there not a cooker in the common kitchen as well as a microwave? Could you not use that? A slow cooker is a great idea, presumably you could keep it in the common kitchen rather than your room?

ladipoet

nuts, seeds, cheese sticks, sliced salami or pepperoni (your choice) if you have access to a mini-fridge to store it in, jerky, baked cheese, etc.

Liftng4Lis

Since you have a fridge in your room, is there a way you can food prep for the week? Have you considered getting a hot plate? A crockpot would be a great option.

fishshark

are you restricted from having a hot plate/crock pot/cookers?

Kimegatron

I've never been in a dorm, but I thought that they had a kitchen for all dorm students to use? No?

soulofgrace

Buy a bag of frozen veggies you like and a bag of frozen grilled meat. Grab some powdered spices a few at a time each week like: salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, garlic, onion, ginger. Keep the frozen meat and veg in a large Tupperware in your fridge. Plan to eat it ALL over the course of the week in different variations. It won't keep much longer. For a meal, put a serving in a covered bowl and microwave for 2 minutes on high. One day spice it Mexican for tacos. One day spice it Italian and add some pasta sauce from a jar. One day spice it Asian with the garlic and ginger. Scramble an egg and add it to the meat and veg for a quick breakfast. You will have to stir that every 30 secs or so until its done to your liking. Experiment! Good luck with your studies and all!

VykkDraygoVPR

There are some tasty frozen meal options. As well as just frozen cooked meat that you just need to reheat. Just get some hot sauce, and the precooked meats actually taste pretty good.

If you have a blender, I find fruit smoothies to be a very filling and healthy breakfast choice. Especially since you can have it on the go.

ohmyllama

There are many great ideas on this board. I just want to suggest the three things I use: crockpot, blender, and grill. I've only lived on campus and not in a dorm, so I have no idea what your situation is like. No idea. I just can't imagine they would deny you using a crockpot anywhere on campus?

I have some very long days and refuse to spend much time cooking. Crockpot can cook all day and have a meal ready in the evening. Just takes me 5-10 minutes in the morning. Love it.

Also love my blender. It's not the huge kind of blender, but a tiny blender which will blend one glass at a time. Lots of options with that.

Or... a little george foreman grill? It works well for pretty much any meat. Cooks fast. Small and easy to store.

atypicalsmith

An easy breakfast dish is 1/2 cup regular oatmeal, and 1/2 cup of any combination of milk and/or yogurt. Add a mashed or sliced banana or whatever else you would like, let it sit in the fridge overnight (you can do this in a drinking glass covered with plastic wrap to save room), and it's delicious - sort of like eating ice cream for breakfast.

An easy low-cal lunch dish is to make a lettuce wrap with your tuna and chopped hard boiled egg. Plain yogurt is an excellent substitute for mayonnaise.

Snacks - Quest bar, Greek yogurt, apples, bananas, celery, carrots, etc.

Dinner? I'm stumped here. Except for maybe a salad, but you need something with more calories in case you get late night cravings. Maybe a frozen microwavable dinner that has healthy ingredients with low sodium? Is there such a thing?

I can't imagine having all these restrictions!!! Methinks the college wants to make a profit on their campus food!

RodaRose

microwave rice. add some swiss chard after it is steamed (protein)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/perfect-microwave-rice-recipe.html

refrigerator ROLLED OATS: Add some sliced almonds for protein.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/236549/overnight-refrigerator-oatmeal/

Microwave eggs
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/tips/a32091/how-to-microwave-eggs/

Probably a person should not be eating tuna everyday.

Go to the cafeteria. What is the issue with sunflower oil????

shadowfax_c11

Since you are paying for it I would take advantage of the food served by the school cafeteria. They can't cook absolutely everything in oil so just eat less of the stuff that is and more of the veggies. It is going to be a lot healthier than what you are trying to do now.

47Jacqueline

My nephew's mom got him an electric rice cooker. But I lived in a dorm in college and simply at at the cafeteria that offered meals I was paying for. Friday was fish day and I went to a diner instead.

barryplumber

For the benefit of your health make time

sodapoppin28

Saw someone mention to stay away from bread I am curious as to why, I'm also in the same boat as the op and I tend to eat whole sub's 2-3 times a week which hasn't affected my weight loss at all.

Liftng4Lis

sodapoppin28 wrote: »

Saw someone mention to stay away from bread I am curious as to why, I'm also in the same boat as the op and I tend to eat whole sub's 2-3 times a week which hasn't affected my weight loss at all.

There is no why, as it's unnecessary. Just another does of inaccurate information being strewn about on the internet.

WingardiumLeviosa91

RodaRose wrote: »

microwave rice. add some swiss chard after it is steamed (protein)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/perfect-microwave-rice-recipe.html

refrigerator ROLLED OATS: Add some sliced almonds for protein.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/236549/overnight-refrigerator-oatmeal/

Microwave eggs
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/tips/a32091/how-to-microwave-eggs/

Probably a person should not be eating tuna everyday.

Go to the cafeteria. What is the issue with sunflower oil????

Thanks a lot! I have just read that olive oil is better for the health and has less calories, so I dislike sunflower oil, plus my school cafeteria uses way too much of it. BUT I bought so many ingridients like salad material and vegetables and organic eggs etc, so from now on I'll cook at the common kitchen. I always avoided using there for some reason, maybe because people don't leave the place clean and it is annoying.

WingardiumLeviosa91

atypicalsmith wrote: »

An easy breakfast dish is 1/2 cup regular oatmeal, and 1/2 cup of any combination of milk and/or yogurt. Add a mashed or sliced banana or whatever else you would like, let it sit in the fridge overnight (you can do this in a drinking glass covered with plastic wrap to save room), and it's delicious - sort of like eating ice cream for breakfast.

An easy low-cal lunch dish is to make a lettuce wrap with your tuna and chopped hard boiled egg. Plain yogurt is an excellent substitute for mayonnaise.

Snacks - Quest bar, Greek yogurt, apples, bananas, celery, carrots, etc.

Dinner? I'm stumped here. Except for maybe a salad, but you need something with more calories in case you get late night cravings. Maybe a frozen microwavable dinner that has healthy ingredients with low sodium? Is there such a thing?

I can't imagine having all these restrictions!!! Methinks the college wants to make a profit on their campus food!

They just don't want the dormitories to smell like food and get dirty, worse, get a fire at the campus.

Thanks for the advices, I'll be trying them!

WingardiumLeviosa91

barryplumber wrote: »

For the benefit of your health make time

I will! Today is Sunday so I'll be cooking!