Healthier Food Substitutes For The Health-Conscious College Student | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
food

15 Healthier Food Substitutes That’ll Help Any College Kid Get On The Health-Kick Train

Yes, you can mash up cauliflower and make it taste decent.

196
15 Healthier Food Substitutes That’ll Help Any College Kid Get On The Health-Kick Train
Breanna Armstrong

Ever since my health kick, I have tried to find better substitutes for foods that are considered high in calories. Most incoming freshmen are freaked out by the "freshman 15" (I was one of them... three bowls of cereal in one sitting takes its toll). If I had known of other dishes to make instead of constantly eating rice 24/7 in the dining hall, I wouldn't have to work my ass off as hard to get that extra weight off now.

So, I'm here to save you from panicking over not knowing what to cook and buy for your dorm room (always keep a chocolate bar though, that's a must for when you fail that geology test).

Here are 15 great substitutes for basic dishes you can make in the small dorm kitchens or snacks for your box-like room:

1. Cauliflower rice for regular rice.

I love rice as much as the next food freak, but honestly, it makes me BLOAT. Cauliflower rice is a lifesaver with calories and an upset stomach. I usually use a grater and add diced onions or peppers to add flavor!

2. Zucchini noodles for spaghetti.

I remember seeing these and thinking how in the world can you take pasta out of my everyday life? But Zoodles will change the way you see pasta. I sometimes spiral carrots and turnips to add more flavor!

3. Halo Top for regular ice cream.

Yes... this is still technically ice cream. But when a pint of Halo Top is only 240-360 calories and has a good amount of protein in it, how can you not add it to a lower calorie list? I usually go for the dairy-free oatmeal cookie one... but that's just me!

4. Bananas dipped in dark chocolate instead of an ice cream bar.

I tried a banana dipped in chocolate for the first time in Disneyland this past summer. Let me tell you, it changed the way I looked at dessert forever! Fruit and chocolate with antioxidants in it for a late night snack? Count me in!

(Also, you can add peanut butter or nuts to it if you're feeling CRAZYYY!)

5. Rice cakes for crackers or bread.

I know nothing will taste as good as bread. But, rice cakes are a close second! I usually add peanut butter and fruit on top or tuna and hummus for a pick me up during the day! Don't dismiss this until you try it!

6. Romaine lettuce for tortillas or hamburger buns.

You can usually go to a burger stand and ask for a "naked burger" where they wrap the patty in lettuce instead of bread (shoutout to Red Robin). I honestly prefer this because I feel less bloated and full (plus, more calories for fries, right?).

7. Non-fat, unsweetened, Greek yogurt for sour cream.

My friend Emily (shoutout for this food life save girl) told me that she added this to a recipe and it didn't taste any different. Thank goodness she was right because it's so much better for you and will feel somewhat "healthy" after indulging in taco night Tuesday.

8. Homemade sweet potato fries instead of fast food fries.

Sweet potatoes have so many benefits, why would you not choose this over McDonald's golden fries? (Okay, I guess when it's 3 a.m. and you're drunk they sound pretty damn good). It's also a great item to dip hummus in and take to class for a snack!

9. Mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes.

I do love mashed potatoes, but when I'd rather eat some Halo Top that night, mashing up cauliflower keeps me feeling good about what I'm putting in my body. Boil the cauliflower then mash your heart out and BAM... you've got a healthy and delicious mash!

10. Epic bars instead of a processed/sugary protein bar.

Since my mum started doing CrossFit, she introduced me to the world of Epic Bars. They are a little pricey, but they are made with six ingredients or less and are full of GOOD protein! Not random preservatives that have no room in your healthy lifestyle #yikes. The chicken sriracha is incredible... FYI.

11. Nuts instead of croutons.

Even though nuts are HIGH in calories, they are better than empty carbs like croutons. Nuts have healthy fats and will leave you feeling fuller longer! Plus, salted cashews are to DIE FOR...

12. Oatmeal for cereal.

You can do so much with oatmeal from putting fruit on top of it to mixing in nuts and peanut butter. Cereal contains around 10g of sugar per serving which is insane because who is only going to have one serving of cereal? I sometimes eat half the damn bag (damn you Honey Nut Cheerios!). Also, oatmeal is pretty cheap when you buy it in bulk compared to cereal boxes.

13. Watermelon with whipped cream instead of sorbet.

It's summer, who doesn't like eating a juicy watermelon? (I don't, but most people do. So here's a great idea for you watermelon loving human beings). Fewer calories and "healthy," minus the cream.

14. Almond milk with milk.

I stopped drinking regular milk about three years ago, and almond milk has been my dairy lifesaver. It's about 1/2 or more fewer calories than regular milk and doesn't upset your stomach if you're lactose intolerant. It tastes great in lattes too!

15. Lemons or other fruits infused in water instead of fruit juices.

Fruit juices are more of a fake "healthy" drink/food trend. They contain unbelievable amounts of sugar (yes, even if it's just pure fruit). Lemon water has many benefits and is also a good pre-workout drink to get your butt moving when you're not in the mood to do cardio (I'm looking at you, StairMaster...).

I hope this will get you into switching up your favorite dishes for something lighter and better for you in general! Good luck my health nerds!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

192
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

271
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

895
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

2182
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments