It’s only 9:00 a.m., and your stomach won’t stop growling — you forgot to eat breakfast again. As your English professor lectures on, you can’t stop staring at the clock, even though its tiny hands seem to move in slow motion. After a late night of studying, you could barely scramble out of bed on time in the morning, let alone throw together a balanced meal. How can anyone handle healthy eating on top of everything else?

As a busy college student, nutrition might be the last thing on your mind. Between studying for exams, rushing to class and having an active social life, maintaining healthy eating habits can be tricky. However, just because you live in a dorm doesn’t mean you have to jeopardize your health.

Here are some ways you can eat healthy while living on campus.

Start Your Day Off Right

Students who eat a well-balanced breakfast low in simple sugars tend to maintain greater concentration throughout the day. Not only is it beneficial to just eat breakfast in the morning, but it’s also important to eat a healthy one.

Try choosing foods that are high in fiber and protein to keep you full all morning. Here are some nutritious and easy breakfast ideas:

· Peanut butter and banana covered bagel

· Fruit and flaxseed smoothie

· Yogurt parfait with fruit and granola

· Oatmeal with nuts and fruit

If you’re short on time, grab something healthy on the go like trail mix, fruit or a hardboiled egg.

Mini Fridge Essentials

Keeping the fridge in your dorm room stocked allows you to have plenty of options to choose from. Try keeping your fridge full with a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats — all of which you can find at Campus Market.

Here are some pro tips: pick up veggies that don’t require much prep and stay fresh longer, like baby carrots, snap peas and cherry tomatoes. Dip fruits and veggies into nut butters, which are full of healthy fats. Grab an apple or banana for a quick bite on the go. Add some berries and granola to yogurt for a calcium-rich snack. Have a loaf of whole grain bread handy to make toast or a quick PB&J.

Good Eats for the Pantry

Oats — make overnight oatmeal with milk or water, fruit and nut butter

Nuts & seeds — whip up some no-bake granola bars for an easy snack

Beans — add to a rice and bean burrito or mash them into a dip for an inexpensive protein-filled meal

Rice — microwave a bag of this pre-cooked grain to create the perfect base to any dish.

No-Bake Granola Bars

These fun, nutritious breakfast bars are the easiest dorm dish you’ll make all month. Filled with healthy servings of oats, nuts and fruits, these treats are sure to keep you full during morning classes.

You’ll need:

· 2 cups oats

· ¾ cups almonds

· ½ cup nut butter of your choice

· ¼ cup honey

Directions:

1. Combine oats, almonds and dried cranberries in a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the nut butter and honey, then microwave for 30 seconds.

3. Combine the hot nut butter mix with the oat mix.

4. Find a flat dish and spoon your granola mixture in. Press firmly to compact the granola.

5. Place the granola in the freezer for 15–30 minutes, then cut into 9–12 bars.

6. Enjoy!