Many college students decipher whether or not to change their diet in college. The three options are normally: go vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan in college.
I was in those shoes a couple of years ago where I enjoyed my Chick-fil-a sandwich but also cared about animal rights and nurturing my body with the proper nutrients. I struggled to find quick, healthy, and organic vegan meals on my college campus. Therefore, I put together a guide that makes it easier for those transitioning to pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan in college. The guide below is a realistic day of what I eat at Wake Forest University and what I look for in my meals to make sure it is organic, vegan, and non-processed.
Here is my typical day as a Vegan in college. The meals usually consist of oatmeal and cauliflower or some veggie. I grab an iced or hot espresso drink in my apartment or the local coffee shop to start my day. Then during the day for:
Breakfast: Overnight Oats
My favorite meal of the day. I prepare perfectly Creamy, Sweet, and Nutty Banna Nut Overnight Oats the night before. The ingredients you need are the serving sizes of chia seeds, rolled oats, oat milk, vanilla, walnuts, and 1 ripped banana. The overnight oats are a mouthwatering and desirable hungover meal the morning after—a perfect way to start your day with a quick, filling meal.
Snack: Probiotic Yogurt Dairy Free
Some days I get hungry during the day and crave some sweets. The best lactose-free organic probiotic yogurt is Forager. I have been addicted to having a cup of the Froager Drinkable Strawberry Yogurt paired with a protein bar.
Lunch: Cauliflower Wings
When it is a super busy week, I usually get the pre-made refrigerated Cauliflower Buffalo wings from Whole Foods and heat it in the microwave with a ranch on the side. Or if I am home and have free time, I prepare the cauliflower wings from scratch. I usually pair the wings with celery. Or I have tortilla chips and salsa/ vegan queso on the side.
Dinner: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Before dinner, I make sure to hydrate at least 16 oz before starting dinner for easier digestion. I make a super easy stovetop meal for dinner: Grilled Cheese and Creamy Tomato Soup. For the cheese, I used the Whole Foods dairy-free cheddar cheese. Depending on my mood, I add savory sauteed mushrooms and spinach inside the sandwich.
Dessert: Graham Crackers with Peanut Butter
Anything with peanut butter on it or a lone is the perfect dessert and a glass of cold lactose-free milk is everything. Some of my favorites are peanut butter with ritz crackers, apples, or any fruit. Peanut is the best pre-game snack before you head out with your friends for the night. Another favorite is graham crackers with some PB on them with a cold glass of Chocolate Cashew & Almond Milk for dessert. Then, if I need to satisfy my craving a for sweets, I put juicy strawberries, honey & sliced banana, or grape jelly on top of the PB. Before the day ends, I ensure I meet the goal of drinking 64 oz of water to be hydrated for the morning.