Help! Recommend Easy/Fast/Microwave food.

Hello everyone, I need help finding meals to eat. I don't know how to cook very well and to be honest, I don't like to because it can get messy and very time consuming (at least for me that is). I'm looking for meals I can prepare very quickly when it's time to eat. Food that can be cooked fast and easy especially in the microwave.

I also have no idea what I'm going to eat when I'm at school. I start later this month and my college doesn't offer any healthy food. So I am thinking of taking lunch to school. But I have no idea. I'm at school between 11 to 4 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. And 8 am to 1pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

I'm trying to eat about 6 to 7 healthy meals a day. I'll be working out (lifting weights & about 30 mins of cardio) so I won't worry too much about eating that many meals. I'd like to keep it at about 320 cals per meal.

So far I only have breakfast planned and that will be oatmeal (with splenda) and 1 cup of 1% fat free milk. My goal is to eat a balanced meal every time because I wasn't eating enough protein before. And I want to add more veggies to my meals. For veggies, I'm thinking of buying a mixed bag of veggies and adding them to as many meals as I can. I don't like any other vegetables and the mixed bag I can tolerate (I used to love broccoli but eventually got sick of it because I ate it every single day). I also want to stay away from chicken breast because I also got sick of it (too dry when I cooked it).

But that's all I can think of. I don't know if eating the same meal twice a day is good. For example, oatmeal. I honestly don't mind eating the same meal more than once. It will make things easier for me.

I also have whole wheat bread and cottage cheese. I can buy more food depending on what my meals are going to be. But I'm completely lost. I'm not good at this no matter how much I look into it (trust me, I've done it before).

Please recommend any meals that are fast and easy to cook. Food is what's holding me back from getting in shape I believe. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

So you will have a fridge/freezer at school correct? If so you can buy veggie burgers,eggs,yogurt,low fat cheese.

If you want to stay away from chicken there are no drain tuna pouches and sliced turkey,pb,hummus

You can make different sandwiches with different breads,add fruit/veggies

Baked potatoes can be made in the microwave and they have rice cups as well for sides

Snacks whole grain cereals,nuts,popcorn,crackers

I still think snacks should be a combo of nutrients like whole grain cereal and yogurt

some ideas...

1. peanut butter and jelly with a soy milk--they have protable ones that don't need refrigeration

2. string cheese and a banana w/ ww crackers

3. yogurt w/ trail mix

4. protein or energy bar like larabar, clif bars, or luna bars paired with a fruit

5. low sodium canned beans with shredded cheese on top and a slice of bread

hope that helps!! :)

i know frozen meals aren't ideal but for the days when you're just too lazy to make food for school (like i am most of the time) one really good lunch/dinner is Amy's Palak Paneer. It has 270 cals, a decent amount of protein and fiber, and not much fat. the only drawback is sodium, of course, but i think once in awhile that's ok. plus it's really delish! if you like indian food as much as i do, that is:)

i know frozen meals aren't ideal but for the days when you're just too lazy to make food for school (like i am most of the time) one really good lunch/dinner is Amy's Palak Paneer. It has 270 cals, a decent amount of protein and fiber, and not much fat. the only drawback is sodium, of course, but i think once in awhile that's ok. plus it's really delish! if you like indian food as much as i do, that is:)

Jacket potatoes are a staple meal if you're rushed for tim / too lazy to cook a proper meal. Just pop in in the microwave for approximately 6/7 minutes, do it up with some veggies and other toppings and voila, one deelish meal in under 10 mins.

Thanks for the suggestions. :)  I like quite a few of them.

For school I can take a protein bar and fruit. If I'm still at school and hungry I'll take a sandwich or maybe some beans. But won't canned beans spoil? There's no fridge/freezer at school that I can use.  :(  

Baked sweet potatoes. Top with salsa, cottage cheese or greek yogurt.

Canned beans. Low sodium varieties are now available.

Steamed veggies. Buy the steamer bags that are microwave safe.

Canned tuna, salmon.

Bran flakes and fruit for breakfast.

Whole grain bagels and English muffins with honey or low fat cream cheese.

Salad with turkey or cheese. Olive oil and vinegar.

Hard boiled eggs.

Fresh fruit and vegetables.

Boca burgers.

Natural peanut butter and honey sandwich.

Salsa and baked tortilla chips or whole grain pretzels.

Greek yogurt with fruit, peanut butter or honey.

I hard bold 18 (the 1 1/2 dozen pkg from the gorcery store) eggs at one time.

crack and peel while warm is easier

keep the whites only in a ziploc baggie in the fridge (17 cals per 1 whole egg white, tons of protein, I give the yolks to my dogs)

while eggs boiling, make garden salad of mix spinach and romaine with onion and tomato (eat with salad spritzers only like 60 cals all told)

so, 3 egg whites plus 1 serving of salad with spritzer dressing is 111 cals for a snack or lunch (I eat as either) makes me satisfied with plenty of protein and ruffage

The key is the dressing ( salad spritzers rule) but I make all of it at one time, ziploc in  a container and go!

my personal downfall is if I have to think about eating. I make 3 days (6 servings) at one time, and forget about it (cook twice a week)

Hope this helps

i like...

grilled cheese with 45 calorie bread, fat free margarine and fat free cheese slices

turkey lunch meat pita with fat free cheese

easy mac

progresso light soups

100 calorie packs

granola bars or special k bars

light yogurts

etc, etc, etc