Dear MATC Dietetics Students,

I will be starting school full-time in the fall. Some days, I will be at the hospital for my clinicals and some days, I will be on campus. That being said, I have been stressing about eating healthy while being on the go. Can you give me some advice on how a busy student can eat healthy?

-Julie V.

Dear Julie,

I agree with you that eating healthy while on the go can be challenging. However, with careful planning, it’s definitely possible. Preparing your meals in advance is a great way to stay guilt-free when you are tempted by the food options at the hospital or on campus. Also, constantly buying ready-made meals can be expensive. Additionally, there may be times when the school cafeteria is closed, or you simply don’t have time to run through the busy hospital cafeteria, so it’s important to plan ahead. Spending an hour or two twice a week to prepare your meals will save time during your busy week of classes and clinicals. I should note that it’s not always possible to heat up food because you may not have access to a microwave; therefore, cold make-ahead meals are more ideal.

This brings me to my next point: using a lunch box with a reusable ice pack is a good way to  help yourself stick to eating healthier. Here are some make-ahead cold lunch ideas: chicken salad with crackers, a chicken salad sandwich with two slices of whole grain bread or wrapped in a tortilla. Pinwheels are also a great option as you can select your choice of cheese slices or use a cheese spread such as fat-free cream cheese for a burst of flavor. Another delicious lunch idea is a cold pasta dish with chicken breast and veggies, unless you are trying to be carb conscious, then you would ditch the pasta and have a salad. With any of the meals mentioned above, feel free to tweak it to your personal taste and add spinach, celery, onions, bell peppers, lettuce, or whatever vegetables you prefer. And if you are vegetarian, you can swap out the meat for chickpeas or any other choice of beans, tofu or tempeh.

Also, remember to keep healthy snacks available so that you don’t end up in front of vending machines. You’ll thank me later for that extra boost of energy and extra change in your pocket. Fruit and yogurt parfait, and vegetables with yogurt dips are always excellent choices.

Have a Diet Dilemma? Send an email to [email protected] or corner one of your friendly dietetics students at MATC West Allis Campus.