Healthy eating on a budget – The Famuan

Fresh produce in a Tallahassee Publix.
Courtesy photo: Kiara Green

It’s so easy to walk to places like McDonald’s or Wendy’s for a quick meal. It’s easily available and most importantly, it’s cheap. Most people, especially college students, eat fast food far more frequently than usual because you can get a full meal for no more than six dollars. Since delivery services are readily available, it is easier for students to get hold of fast food.

Being a college student with no financial support is a struggle. Especially if you live on campus with no access to essentials like freezers, stoves, and ovens. This is another reason why many students prefer fast food to a healthy diet. It is the most convenient.

“We have Wingstop, Pizza and Chic-Fil-a right here on campus,” said Theodore Harp, a student at Florida A&M University. “It’s hard to eat healthy when there is so much good food around you.”

According to the CDC, poor nutrition in younger people can lead to an increased risk of certain chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Eating healthy plays an essential role in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and stroke, the three leading causes of death in adults aged 18 years or younger.

While fast food is simple, there are many ways you can eat healthy as a college student.

It’s about budgeting and prioritization. Fresh and organic foods tend to spoil faster because there are little to no preservatives that extend the expiration date. Therefore, it is recommended to buy or prepare the food on the day of cooking, if not the day before. This saves you time and money on replacing spoiled food.

Meal prepping is another way to make a healthy diet more effective. Most people find meal prepping helps save groceries and money on outdoor dining. Students who live on campus can prepare their meals at friends’ homes and take their food with them to campus where they can store it in their fridges.

“I would always tell myself that I’m going to start eating better and staying away from trash, but it’s so expensive to eat healthily,” said N’kyra Johnson, another FAMU student. “It’s so easy to go to fast food because, for one thing, it’s cheap. We don’t have to cook it ourselves for two. Lots of people can’t cook and that’s another dilemma we face. “

For those struggling with cooking, below is a perfect example of a healthy meal that you can prepare right at home! You can find more healthy meals like this on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok.

Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowl

For the chicken you will need:

• 1-1.5 pounds of chicken breast
• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (depending on your preference for heat)
• 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of half a lime

For the cauliflower rice you will need

• 4 cups of grated cauliflower
• ¼ cup chopped chilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the fajita vegetables you will need

• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 green pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow pepper, sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
• 1 white onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon of cumin

1. Mix the ingredients for the chicken marinade (oil, lime juice, chipotle powder, garlic salt, tomato paste) in a small bowl
2. Pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel and place in a freezer bag with marinade and massage bag to coat the chicken. Put aside.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat and spray it with cooking spray (I use Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray
4. Add grated cauliflower, garlic salt, salt and pepper and sauté until cauliflower is tender (about 5-7 minutes).
5. Mix cauliflower with lime juice and chopped coriander in a bowl and set aside
6. Keeping the pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil and sliced ​​onions. Fry for 1-2 minutes
7. Add sliced ​​peppers, garlic salt and cumin seeds to the pan and sauté until the vegetables are tender but crispy (about 4-5 minutes). Put aside.
8. If needed, add additional oil to the pan and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) or until it is no longer pink
9. Assemble bowls of chicken, cauliflower rice, and fajita vegetables
10. Garnish with lime, coriander and avocado if you like.

Below is the direct link to this easy-to-prepare recipe!

Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls (whole 30, Paleo, Keto, Easy Meal Prep)

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/30/healthy-eating-on-a-budget-the-famuan/