Diet plans?

Branok

Hey everyone!
I recently just started college and have been gaining some weight due to my lack of free time. I've been eating junk food/fast food for every meal simply because it's quick & easy. But starting Monday, I'm going to try to get back to eat healthy/dieting, but I'm not quite sure how to do it. I'd like to stay under 1200 calories a day. What are some good types of meals to have for a college student? I honestly have NO clue where to start. I shop for my own groceries so regardless of what the food is, I'd be able to pick it all up on my own. I just don't know what to shop for. Any help or tips are welcome

EDIT: I'm not really trying to lose weight, I just want to eat healthier (and possibly get rid of this stomach I've had for a while :P)

Lift_hard_eat_big

When I was in college, fruit, peanut butter, whole wheat bagels, and hardboiled eggs were staples of my food intake. I would also make a tuna salad type dish which includes tuna, a little bit of light mayo, a diced tomato, half an onion, a whole jalapeno, some cilantro, and celery.

koosdel

What kind of meals did you eat before you became a college student? I bet they would still work.

jaded_rose

i wish you luck but 1200 is the bare minimum that you need to take in. if your below that you are in starvation mode and your body stops burning calories and starts to store them so you don't lose weight. At least this is what i heard anyway.

What time do you have and is there a limit on cost? I like apples and packing a salad. What options do you have for food?

Good luck

michaelachallis

i am a student too healthy food can also be quick and easy, i recommend looking on a few recipe sites to get inspiration.
I always have steamed veges.
I eat a lot of chicken, so many different healthy tings you can do with it (stirfry, roast, poach etc)
maybe just start by eating healthier versions of what you like eating, so if it is burgers how about buying some wholemeal buns, salad items and making your own burger patty
good luck !

Acg67

eggs, tuna, protein shakes, yogurt, ramen (i'd only use half the seasoning packet to spare some sodium though), chiccken and other lean proteins, Coffee, green tea, nuts, nut butters...

auntiebabs

Guesstimating from you r picture.
I think UNDER 1200 will be much too little for you.

It doesn't look like you have a lot of weight to lose if any. And it sounds more like you're just concerned about eating healthier
If you do want to drop a couple of vanity pounds use the BMI as a guideline. I say give yourself at leat 5 lbs wiggle room from either the top or bottom end of your healthy range. (BMI is not perfect, but it's a good guideline for most folks)

Give your self a range.

Go with 1200 as your ROCK BOTTOM
Lose 1/2 lb a week as your target (if you're looking to drop a couple of vanity pounds)
Maintain Goal weight as the TOP OF YOUR RANGE.

I find it's much more livable I don't have to be a party pooper or feel all deprived if I'm out with friends.

I was my thinnest ever in college
I only had $5 a week to spend on groceries (even in the 80s that wasn't much.)

You've got to get the rotation going and then you can mix and match your ingredients...

week1 : bag of rice and a bag of beans (lentils cook fast with out soaking) (As soon as I could afford to I went to canned)
week2: Jar of Peanutbutter and value size loaf of bread. (Again once I could afford it... Natural PB & Whole wheat bread)
week3: eggs and oatmeal (I didn't get the instant, my roomie would add the oats to the water let it sit in the MW and nuke it in the morning)
week4: Jar of meat sauce and a box of pasta
week5: a block of Cheese and potatoes

What ever $$ was left over I spent at the green grocer.
Carrots,
broccolli,
cabbage (you always read about poor people making cabbage soup in old stories.. I tried it and it was actually pretty good.),
fruit
I always check what was on sale and tried new things.