One of the things I’ve had a hard time with at college is following a consistent diet, and sometimes even remembering to eat to begin with.  I have to remind myself –sadly more often than not– that iced coffee does not count as a meal (even if it does cost the same on a meal plan). When I do find myself in the dining hall, trying to add variety and balance in my diet can be difficult with the limited options offered.

I know I am not the only one with this issue either. I ran into one of my friends this week (ironically at Dunkin) and he shocked me with the fact that he has never actually stepped foot inside of his dining hall. I have no idea how he has managed to live exclusively on chicken tenders and Panda Express, but please don’t follow his example. I made two promises to myself then and there. One: I will make it a point each time I eat a meal to include a rainbow of colorful foods. This will ensures that I am getting a variety of health benefits each day.  Two: I am dragging my friend to conquer his fear of the dining hall this week, so he can start eating a healthier diet as well.

One thing that helps me with adding variety and not overspending my meal plan each week is shopping for a few basic items at target. Thanks to a giftcard from my dad, I’ve been able to do a small weekly shopping trip for a couple items to supplement my meal plan and add some more options. I usually try to pick up the following: mac and cheese, fresh fruit or veggies, lunch meat, and either bread, tortillas, or a snack depending on what I’m in the mood for. I always make sure to keep my spending under $20, however. Of course, a weekly shopping trip isn’t feasible for everyone, but even picking up a fun item at the commons market with your meal plan can help to spice up the week. Seeing the same options over and over at the dining hall can get a little boring, so this simple addition to your diet can be a real motivator for sticking to your perfect balance. Dining halls aren’t totally limited, however, and this writer includes a great list of creative additions to your eating.

Now, on to the hardest part (for me at least), remembering to eat at regular times. There was one day a couple weeks ago when I was finishing up some assignments in my dorm and suddenly I realized something. I hadn’t even taken a sip of water that day, much less eaten a meal. It was completely unintentionally, but I had –in all of my busy schedule– forgotten to eat anything. I immediately grabbed my water bottle and made up for the lack of hydration, but it was still surprising to me to realize that something as simple as energizing my body could go out the window when I’m focused on other things. To combat this forgetfulness, I started including checking the dining hall menu into my nightly routine. I would review the dining options for the next day, and then decide on at least one or two times in my schedule where I would dedicate time for a meal. By including this small change, similar to “scheduling my free time” (like I mentioned in my previous post), I am better able to stick to my commitment.

If you’re struggling with any of these issues too, remember that you are not alone. Finding someone, like a friend or roommate, to accompany you can help too. Eating with someone else can be a nice reminder of home, and also makes these goals seem just a little bit more attainable.