By SaraGrace Altabet

Imagine this: it’s 2020, it's 7:00 PM on a weeknight, and you’ve just finished online classes. You’ve got another online meeting at 8:00 PM, and you’re tired and absolutely starving. Feel a little too real?

It definitely hits home for me. There have been too many nights where I’d rather heat up microwave Mac and Cheese and be done with it. And honestly, there’s no problem with that, and I accept those nights for what they are. 

Here’s the thing I’ve realized, our health is so important now, more so than ever. We may not be getting outdoors as much due to a very contagious virus that is still rampant in our world. As young and sprite as college students are, taking care of our bodies has so many benefits that will help us down the road. 

Healthy meals on a college budget may seem like a hassle but they don’t have to be! Here are some college-friendly recipes (that I have honestly made myself) that taste great, cost less, and are easy to make.

Avocado Toast

Avo-toast is very ‘trendy’ right now, and for good reason! It can be made as a snack or as a meal! I find 2 pieces of toast, topped with mashed avocado, salt, pepper, “Everything But the Bagel Seasoning” very filling and extremely tasty! For breakfast, you could top the toast with eggs and add some fresh fruit as a side. 

What you’ll need:

• Half an avocado (mashed)

• Salt 

• Pepper

• Everything Bagel Seasoning

• 1-2 Eggs (optional, cooked to taste)

Taco Salad

This recipe is perfect for those Mexican cravings when going out to your fave place isn’t an option. The best part is that its build-your-own! I pile these ingredients into a bowl with my favorite salsa on top:

• Romaine lettuce

• Ground beef (Cooked and seasoned)

• Taco Seasoning (for the ground beef)

• Black beans

• Yellow Corn

• Mexican cheese

• Salsa 

Spaghetti Squash Pasta

As a huge pasta lover, this lighter version of Italian cuisine satisfies even my high standards. All you need is a microwave and a fork for this one! The first step is to take your spaghetti squash and cut 1-inch incisions all around it with a fork or a knife. Once cut, put the squash in the microwave for approximately 9 minutes. When it’s done, the squash will be very hot, so be sure to use oven mitts when taking it out. When cool, cut the squash in half lengthwise. Then scrape out the seeds and gooey middle. With what’s left, take a fork and run it across the soft inside so it makes spaghetti-like strands. Once that’s done, put it in a bowl and top with your favorite pasta sauce and Italian herbs.

• 1 Spaghetti Squash

• Pasta Sauce

• Italian Herbs and Spices

• Parmesan cheese (to top)

• Italian sausage (if preferred)

When all else fails, it is perfectly okay to resort to ramen (or your favorite microwave meal). Starting to really cook for yourself is a learning curve but is rewarding in the end when you can eat something delicious that you’re proud of. Remember to be patient with yourself, everybody has to start somewhere!