How can I get all my nutrients when buying in bulk?
I’m living in an apartment on a university campus with no grocery store and I do not have a meal plan. Tomorrow I am going to go grocery shopping, but I don’t know what I should get since I can’t go very often. I could get lettuce and stuff for salads, but it would go bad kind of quickly, so I want to buy things I can stock up on. Also, I have to use public transportation, so I don’t want to buy too many cans and things that would be heavy for me to carry by myself on buses. I’m not actually a vegetarian, but I don’t like meat very much so I am interested in seeing what people in the vegetarian section have to say with this question. I get most of my protein from salmon, that’s the one thing I know I’m going to buy, I love salmon. (I’m just going to buy two whole frozen ones) . Anyway, I’m mostly concerned about 2 things, 1, the fact that I don’t get any green vegetables anymore, and 2, my metabolism is starting to catch up on me, so I really need to be healthy and not get the freshman 15! Any suggestions on how to eat healthily, get all my nutrients on a budget and in bulk and without it being too heavy to carry? Thanks so much to any advice!
This is the first time I’m going to go in over a month… soooo I don’t go very often at all. I suppose I coullld, but when I’m not super busy I tend to be lazy. But I probably will not make it once a week. And yes, I do have a full kitchen with refrigerator.
Also, the cafeteria’s on the other side of campus, so I haven’t even made it there once! And I said the thing about my metabolism because I’ve always been able to eat whatever I want and be super skinny without even excercizing, but now suddenly this is not the case, I’m gainign weight in my mind rapidly, suddenly have hips, and it’s not a horrible things but I also have a modelling contract adn need to send them my measurements on a regular basis, so I’d prefer not to continue gaining this weight, hehe.
Rice and dry beens
Trail Mix
Peanut Butter
Whole wheat crackers.
Fresh stuff that will last 2 weeks to a month –
Onions
potatoes
Sweet potatoes
carrots
Cabbage
Celery
Canned stuff –
juice concentrate
Diced tomatoes
corn
green beans
Get a luggage cart and back pack. You can carry a lot of food with one.
Eat out atleast once a week at a place with a full salad bar.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Good for you for trying to be healthy in your college years~
A few questions for you: do you have a refrigerator? If so, why not get some leafy greens and veggies for salads? How often will you be able to get to the store? Even if it’s only once a week, that’s enough to get your veggies and fruits for the week.
One thought that comes to mind is getting a supplement for your veggie needs. There are wonderful powders out there (like Green Vibrance for example) that you can add to water or juice to get your daily requirements. I would also recommend a good, food based multi vitamin if you aren’t going to be eating fruits and veggies daily (brands like Megafood and New Chapter are a good start).
Other than that, I suppose you will have to stick to the salad bar at your college cafeteria. And just as a side note, your metabolism should be fine at your age. It really doesn’t start slowing down until you’re in your 30s.
P.s As for buying in bulk, as long as you have a stove you could look into grains, lentils, oats etc. and then get some almonds or other nuts as well for your healthy fats/added protein.
Good luck!
References :
February 8th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
You could buy frozen veggies. They are just as good as fresh and can last for months. I do this because I am lazy lol. I like to buy those big bags of peas, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower mix, and whatever I happen to be making, I’ll toss in a couple handfuls. They run pretty cheap if you buy store brand.
Do you have a friend with a car who might be able to help you out? Because pretty much anything you buy will get heavy if you need to stock up on it. You could offer to cook him or her dinner or something in exchange for picking you up at the store and giving you and your groceries a ride home
References :
February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Buy a week or two worth of fresh vegetables and another week or two worth of frozen. Flash frozen is just as healthy as fresh although imo it doesn’t quite taste as good, but if you’re cooking with it the difference is negligible. Birdseye makes some single serve steam pouch frozen vegetables that are really good. I bought some Organic Girl brand salad greens in a plastic tub and they expired over two weeks ago and what little bit is left is still as fresh as when I got it, so you might try that brand if you can find it.
If you’re traveling on public transportation with groceries, then definitely get some of those canvas reusable bags – they don’t bust open all over the bus like plastic or paper tends to do. Make sure they sack your groceries well in these too – you have to watch since they hold so much. Make sure they get the heavy things on bottom.
References :
February 8th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Frozen veggies are economical and very healthy. Most veggie nutrients are not destroyed by freezing. Get some bags of frozen green beans, broccoli, green peas, chopped spinach. You can use them in lots of good meals.
- Get pasta, olive oil, a couple heads of garlic (it lasts awhile), onions. canned garbanzo (chick peas) . Add frozen broccoli for a great pasta meal.
- Near East lentil rice pilaf boxed mix. Filling, healthy, light to carry!
- Tuna noodle casserole with peas in it (you mention fish is ok).
- Get eggs (they last awhile), cheese and make a crustless spinach quiche with the frozen spinach and sauteed onions.
- Get a good dry soup mix of your choice. When you make it, add lots of frozen veggies. Knorr soup mixes are pretty good.
- Boxed mac n cheese can be made healthier by adding frozen broccoli.
- split peas to make pea soup from scratch, or get a dry soup mix that has beans or split peas in it.
Sorry this list got long, but I hope the ideas are helpful.
References :
February 8th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Rice and dry beens
Trail Mix
Peanut Butter
Whole wheat crackers.
Fresh stuff that will last 2 weeks to a month –
Onions
potatoes
Sweet potatoes
carrots
Cabbage
Celery
Canned stuff –
juice concentrate
Diced tomatoes
corn
green beans
Get a luggage cart and back pack. You can carry a lot of food with one.
Eat out atleast once a week at a place with a full salad bar.
References :