easy balanced meal ideas for the busy student

easy balanced meal ideas for the busy student

Having graduated from grad school only two years ago, it’s still so fresh in my memory just how much you have going on as a student.

I’ve gotten a couple requests about easy meals for busy college and grad students, so I figured I would write up a quick post on it!

While buying and preparing whole, unprocessed foods is ideal, it doesn’t always make the most sense when you’re short on time. Sometimes, allowing someone else to do a little of the work for you means you’re more likely to get a balanced meal on your plate. If you’re a careful consumer, there are plenty of options out there that can save you a lot of time!

Additionally, when preparing meals, it’s always great to make things that you cook once, but can eat over and over again (think big pots of chilis or pasta that you can pull together on Sunday then just heat and eat all week long).

Here were a few of my go-to meals when I was a crazed grad school student. All of which can be made in about 20 minutes or less!:

Whole wheat cheese tortellini (such as Buitoni) with pesto (homemade or store-bought) and steamed veggies – try this super green cheesy pesto tortellini 

Amy’s lower sodium vegetable chili over brown rice topped with plain yogurt, avocado, mexican blend cheese and hot sauce all served with corn chips

2 eggs scrambled with veggies and cheese served alongside 2 slices of 100% whole wheat toast

Grilled cheese on whole wheat with a side salad and piece of fruit

Hummus, cheese & veggie sandwich on whole wheat with a piece of fruit

Large salad with whole grain crackers and fruit

Egg & cheese sandwich on whole wheat with a side salad and fruit

Brown rice sushi (I get mine at my local grocery store), edamame & fruit

Pizza and a side salad

Cheese ravioli with pasta sauce and steamed broccoli

Whole wheat spaghetti with spiralized zucchini, chicken meatballs (I like Aidell’s) and pasta sauce

Whole wheat pasta with pesto and sautéed veggies

Whole wheat mac and cheese (such as Annie’s) served with steamed broccoli and sliced chicken sausage (such as Aidell’s)

Amy’s lentil vegetable soup with a cheese stick and whole grain crackers (such as Triscuits)

Black bean, veggie and cheese quesadillas (like these) on whole corn tortillas served with avocado, salsa, hot sauce and plain yogurt

Turkey sandwich on whole wheat with veggie sticks, hummus and a piece of fruit 

You can also check out my post on 20 packable snacks the bring with you and munch on in between (or in!) classes/work!

44