Healthy Eating

I posted last week about how Hungry for Change changed how I thought about healthy eating.  And I like to believe I have.  I've started to consciously check for preservatives and the like when I buy groceries, and I try my hardest to eat fruits and vegetables as much as possible.

On my original post, it was drawn to my attention that it might be difficult to eat this way in college/on a budget/in the Bronx.  However, I am not finding it especially difficult.

I have a new love for Trader Joe's.  We just got one in Rochester, and even though I am a diehard Wegmans shopper there, Trader Joe's is my go-to in the city.  They have a lot of organic and health-conscious foods that I really like.  Plus, I really do think it is less expensive than Modern in the Bronx, where I typically shop.  In the Bronx, my groceries for a week are usually around $40-$50, depending on what I buy.  At TJ's, I spend only around $30 to feed myself for the week.

My clean eating grocery staples (usually) include:

I don't eat a ton everyday--I'm only 4 feet 11 inches tall, I don't need that much to fuel me. But this is more than enough to last me.

For breakfast: I usually have coffee and 2 eggs scrambled, and a banana. This is enough to keep me nice and full until lunch.

For lunch: I'll either have greek yogurt with chia seeds and multigrain toast with brie and an apple, or a salad with the pre-packed chicken, chia seeds, cucumber, and anything else I feel like throwing in. I like a big lunch because it keeps me full until dinner, which I usually don't eat until late at night.

Afternoon snack: Sometimes, especially when I have night class, I'll have a snack (or two) so I'm not starving to death in class.  I'll usually have a Luna Bar. Which I am addicted to. Or some fruit.

 For dinner: I'm lazy about dinner.  I either make some kind of stir fry with frozen vegetables and the pre-packed chicken.  However, because my mother is a saint, she sent me back with enough Chicken French and Chicken Parm to freeze and eat for weeks.  Another thing I recently found that I love is spaghetti squash.  Its easy to steam and shred and its a healthy sub for pasta.

Ultimately, though eating healthy may take a little more effort, and might seems a little daunting, I think its totally doable.  You just need to have the patience to get started.  But once you do, your body continually asks for more real food.

Happy eating!