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Health and Wellness

Eat This, Not That—A College Student's Guide To A Healthier Pantry

All foods are not created equal, but you already knew that.

Rebecca Calloway

Sep 17, 2018

Washington State University

201

Eat This, Not That—A College Student's Guide To A Healthier Pantry

@freckledfoodie

I don't know when I became so interested in food nutrition, but it has become one of my favorite things to learn about. True nutrition doesn't come from how many calories are in a food or drink. True nutrition is in the actual ingredients. By that, I mean a serving size of a healthy food or drink could technically have more calories than a serving size of an unhealthy food. You're probably thinking, "Well duh, Rebecca."

Yet, when it comes to making decisions at the grocery store, you may still be picking the unhealthy option. Foods I have noticed that are "supposed" to be healthy and are too easily grabbed include peanut or almond butter, energy or protein bars, yogurt, holiday drinks from Starbs and trail mixes.

Now you're thinking I'm the wacko that crowds the aisles at the grocery store because I'm standing there looking at the nutrition label. And, you're right.

Here are some alternatives to make your pantry a little healthier:

1. Kirkland Almond Butter

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I would confidently say that majority of peanut or almond butters have added ingredients besides the actual roasted nut. For example, Jif Creamy Peanut Butter contains molasses, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, mono and diglycerides and salt. On the other hand, Kirkland Almond Butter contains only roasted almonds.

2. LaraBars

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Beware when you see a protein bar advertising its fantastic amount of protein. Don't fall for it like I did for many years. I feel like the best example here is the infamous ClifBar. Don't get me wrong, a ClifBar is not the worst choice when it comes to reaching for an energy bar, especially when you're on a 15-mile hike. What I am saying is there may be a better option when it comes to choosing a bar with less added sugar. Cue, the LaraBar. These bars have sometimes as little as three to six healthy ingredients, and the best thing is...they're not disgusting!

3. FAGE yogurt

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Just skip the Yoplait. Sure, they have all the fun flavors, but that's because they use cornstarch and sugar to get there. Next time, look for Fage. Although yogurt is tricky and usually contains added sugars, you can find healthier options. The key to reading nutrition labels? Look at the ingredients listed, and whatever the first few ingredients are - that's what consumes most of it. Mind blown.

4. Make your own PSL.

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You guys had to know this was coming. Pumpkin spice lattes are to die for; I love them just as much as the next person. BUT, a grande PSL made with whole milk and whipped cream contains 420 calories, 18 grams of fat and 52 grams of carbs.

Now you're really thinking, "Oh great, she's one of those people." I promise I'm not crazy, I enjoy a PSL from time to time, but when I started wanting one every day, I learned how to make my own. I found this great recipe which makes for an alternative when wanting to cut calories and save money!

Also, it's still 80 degrees in Pullman. It just doesn't feel right.

5. Applesauce pouches.

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You guys, this is the best creation ever. Everyone needs a quick something they can grab while running out the door, and applesauce pouches are IT. They don't taste like baby food, you just have to get past the part where it looks like baby food. These are a good alternative to trail mix, which usually contains some kind of chocolate or the nuts being doused in salt.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

Eat This, Not That—A College Student's Guide To A Healthier Pantry

All foods are not created equal, but you already knew that.

1. Kirkland Almond Butter

2. LaraBars

3. FAGE yogurt

4. Make your own PSL.

5. Applesauce pouches.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

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