by Brian Keith Compton

Created on: September 01, 2009   Last Updated: September 06, 2009

Healthy meals are often sacrificed when a student goes off to college. The likely deterrent is the cost and time it takes to prepare meals. Food is brain power, so you need a plan if you want to get good grades.

Learning to economize is essential for the savvy college student on the go. Let's face it, Mom can't pack you a week's worth of box lunches every time you come home to visit. But, you could use that time to prep some foods for yourself. You can seperate the morsels you choose into separate bags, or in bulk to keep on hand during your dorm vigils.

So what are you going to pack?

Fruits and vegetables make great snacks or sides for any meal. Buy a week's worth of carrots, celery, or maybe grapes, strawberries, apples and bananas. You can use small storage containers to separte the smaller foods. You can keep them in your fridge for snacks or brown bag them with a lunch.

You need dairy and a good source of calcium is string cheese. You can buy them individually wrapped or in bulk to keep on hand.

You need iron? Buy raisins, preferrably in small boxes so you don't have to pry the sticky little things out with your hands. Other snacks like power bars or granola bars can provide you nutrition and an energy boost walking around campus. Avoid candy which will give you a quick boost before the sugar rush bottoms out, leaving you feeling tired.

What's the main course? How about visiting a grocery market deli. You can find inexpensive sandwiches or other pre-made foods like potato salad. Or, you can just bring home bread and deli meats. Preparing your own meals is cheaper. Try boiling some pasta, dice your favorite veggies, and add oil and vinegar for a great salad.

If you are getting food to go, avoid fried foods as much as possible. It's easy to indulge in Chinese takeout like Sesame Chicken. Healtheir choices include veggies, tofu or dishes with steamed rice. Fresh made subs can satisfy, and pizza can have the necessary ingredients to keep you going. Try lean meats, vegetables or even fruit like pineapple to spice up a dish.

Chances are you have less time on your hands than you do money, so it doesn't hurt to spend a little more when you need a quick meal. Back at the deli, they have all those prepared foods. Just plan to keep your edibles in cool, dry places to ensure freshness. Force yourself to eat that banana before it's black and fruit flies want to move in.

Whether you keep your food in your backpack, in your fridge or have it delivered, you can save a lot of hassle by planning your meals ahead. You can even sign up for a cooking class, if that's an option. Someplace to create your foods and get more ideas.

Take the guessing game out of eating. Prep your foods and plan ahead.

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