Kale and Cookout

I’d like to think I’m a fairly healthy eater. Sometimes I eat kale. I’ll pause for a moment as you applaud my valiant bravery. I slip it into my protein smoothies like a stealth ninja and pretend it doesn’t exist. I can’t decide which is harder—stealthily sneaking it in or pretending it doesn’t exist. Let’s call it a tie. Either way it’s good for my health.

Except the other day a friend told me that he thought I was a Cookout addict. I walked away from that conversation feeling confident and empowered about my health and wellness.

So maybe I don’t always eat healthy. Sometimes I man up and muscle down asparagus and carrots like those guys in the strong man competitions. Yet sometimes I hit up Chick-fil-A and that frosted lemonade on the reg.

Maybe my diet is more like Superman (the ride, not the hero). Lots of ups and downs. Twists and turns. Great weeks and bad weeks.

The benefits of eating a low sugar, high complex carb and protein diet is irrefutable. Don’t believe me? Eat nothing but goldfish and rollos for a week and then we can discuss how you feel over a nice kale salad.

Don’t freak out just yet. I’m not one of those super hipster health nuts. I interned with a fast food company last summer. I love that fried chicken. But I do try to be conscientious about the effects of eating habits. It does make a difference in how you feel, how productive you are, and the implications that come with overall long-term health.

So here’s a few things I’ve decided to switch up. I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist so take my advice with a grain of salt. But only one grain. Too many grains and salt becomes bad for your heart.

1) Instead of Soda, Drink La Croix

I get a lot of flak from my roommates about this one. They say I’m becoming a white girl. Though I’ve yet to sign up for yoga classes. And I actually had my first pumpkin spice latte just a few weeks ago. Took me nearly 22 years. We can debate my whitegirlness later. The idea is that La Croix gives you that carbonation and a hint of fruit without the killer side effects of sugar, phosphoric (teeth-rotting) acid, and artificial flavoring and food color.

2) Instead of Bacon and Hashbrowns, Drink Smoothies for Breakfast 

I love bacon. It’s the best. I still eat it a decent amount. But give smoothies a try. It’s pretty simple. Buy some frozen fruit. Buy some protein. Buy some kale. Buy some almond milk. Put it in this magical device called a blender and enjoy. Practice those stealth ninja skills with the kale.

3) Instead of Goldfish/Pretzels/Chex Mix, Eat Raw Nuts for a Snack 

It’s easy to reach for the salty crackerish stuff. Only thing is it literally turns to sugar in your mouth before it ever reaches your stomach. Might want to cut back on that. Nuts are great. Raw almonds, walnuts, and pecans help stave off hunger and gives you that protein.

4) Instead of a Vanilla/Carmel/Pumpkin Spice Latte, Drink Black Coffee with a Smidge of Cream

Coffee is the best. I love it so much I include it in my twitter and instagram bios. Black coffee by itself actually seems to have quite a few health benefits. It’s when you add the sweet stuff that it starts to get rough. Try this. Add just a smidge of organic cream.  That way you cut out all the sugar, but leave just a little somethin’ somethin’ to take the bitterness off. If you’re one of those guys who’s like, “Nah man don’t worry about me. I like Starbucks dark roast! Lattes are for girls,” I envy you. I wish I had your superpowers. For the rest of us like myself, let’s start by dwindling down the sugar and just going with a tad of cream.

How do you attempt to eat healthy in college? What would you add?