This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McGill chapter.

Welcome to My Top 5, a blog series where I share my top choices for recipes, makeup products and things to do around Montreal.

For a long time, “healthy eating” was not in my vocabulary. I am a self-proclaimed vegetable hater, so one of my New Year’s resolutions was to try and eat at least one vegetable a day. Eating healthy can be quite difficult on a student budget, but I am learning that it is possible to make better choices regarding food without spending a ton of money. These five recipes are a mix of my favorites that are slightly-better-for-you versions of typically unhealthy foods as well as dinner options that can be made in large batches to last you through the week. Eating healthier doesn’t mean having bland meals all the time, and these recipes prove it.

1. Banana Pancakes

Cassey Ho, AKA the mind behind Blogilates, first shared this recipe in 2012 and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. The recipe is just 2 eggs and a banana, blended up to create a batter that somehow magically transforms into delicious pancakes. You can add blueberries, cinnamon, or even dark chocolate chips to jazz up the recipe if you feel like it. It is the perfect healthy option for your weekend pancakes and will keep you full all morning long.

2. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is possibly my favorite food ever, and this version is an upgrade from the classic recipe. I was a little skeptical about adding squash to a cheesy pasta dish, but it adds a nice sweetness, plus added fiber and vitamin C. This recipe isn’t totally “healthified” (can’t have mac and cheese without the cheese), but it is a way to sneak in a vegetable without compromising taste.

3. Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Chili always seems to get a bad rap for being an unhealthy topping for hot dogs and French fries, but this version is lower in calories due to the swapping of ground beef for chicken breast. This is a great student-friendly meal since canned beans and tomatoes are super cheap, and you can leave it in the slow cooker while you’re in class and come back to a perfectly cooked, filling meal. If you don’t own a slow cooker, you can pre-cook the chicken breasts in the oven and then make the chili on the stovetop, which is actually my preferred method. If you can’t go without some carbs, try serving the chili with some brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

4. Herbed Green Quinoa

Honestly, I don’t love quinoa, but this recipe is 100 percent tasty and features several vegetables that I don’t actually hate eating. The quinoa is cooked with vegetable stock and lemons, which makes it that much better. You can really add whatever vegetables you like to the salad, including broccoli, peas, spinach, asparagus, etc. I substitute the feta cheese for fresh mozzarella, but you can skip the cheese altogether if you want. I find the salad to be pretty filling on its own, but it would probably taste wonderful topped with grilled chicken or even shrimp.

5. Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Another 2-ingredient recipe, these cookies only call for a banana and oats (as the name implies) and are super easy to make. I personally don’t think a cookie is a cookie without some chocolate chips, but you can also add chopped nuts, raisins or craisins, or shredded coconut. I’ll admit, these cookies do taste a little healthy compared to your Nestle Toll House recipe, but if you use a ripe banana they can be really sweet. Plus, you will feel a little bit better knowing that you ate a cookie without butter and sugar (or maybe not, but it’s worth a try).

Images obtained from:

Cover image:

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/10-easy-healthy-eating-resolutions/

Body images:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/two-ingredient-banana-pancakes-3881265

http://christines-cuisine.blogspot.ca/2010/11/butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese.html

https://www.thespruce.com/hearty-slow-cooker-chicken-chili-4062489

https://www.psychologies.co.uk/lauras-herbed-green-quinoa

https://liezljayne.com/the-easiest-2-ingredient-banana-oatmeal-cookies/