Medical Student Diets

[palminator2003]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Do you folks generally eat out/get take out or cook for yourselves? (monday thru friday)

 

[JMD]

My diet is definitely horrible since I started medical school... starting to show in the waistline, too!

 

[DrMom]

MS1/2: I took some homemade food to school and ate out the rest of the time (lunch and dinner)

MS3: depends a bunch on the rotation. Currently I can eat for free at the hospital. 👍

 

[Janders]

1st Semester MS1- Bad diet, way too much hospital Wendy's. Gained about 10-15lbs.

Since then, I've cooked most of my own stuff, and eaten a lot better. Else I'd be dead by now.

But my roomate would stare if not for takeout and delivery. I've never seen him cook, and he's only reheated a couple times in my presence. Buy hey, he's lost weight too....

 

[juddson]

I started as a rolly-polly, soggy bowl of jello. I'm turning into a rolly-polly, wet, soggy, blubbery pile of goo. It's time to cut ALL the fast food out of the diet. I was sitting in our local mall's food court today and situated in fron of me were two chalupa's and a Berne and Levy's "Cardiovascular Physiology". The irony smacked me in the face. I'm giving up junk food.

Judd

 

[erin682]

I eat a lot of PB&J. Its not exactly cooking but its not take out either. I've definately gained weight though. I'm currently on the first diet of my life so that I can fit into a bridesmaid dress on Dec. 18th. Dietting sucks and I miss my chocolate.

 

[pbn2au]

I eat out all the time, everyday. Most of it is subway though, proximity factor - well that and the appliances in the kitchen frighten me

I would eat hospital wendy's but it's too crowded...and I just saw "supersize me"

 

[Newquagmire]

about half cooking, half takeout and pre-prepared foods.

guess which half is during exam time.

 

[Paws]

First few weeks of MSI, hospital lunches and snacks while I tried to figure out how/where/how much to study. 😱 Mucho $$$, like a couple of hundred!

Since then I study at home, make my own meals and bring leftovers for lunch. Current fav-o-rite snackie while studying? Buckets full of fresh popcorn, and I mean made from the 1 lb bags at the supermarket you can get for $0.89. I am WAY cheap now, but having a huge bowl of the stuff makes me feel like I am splurging on something special. 😀

 

[fang]

I don't know if you can call this "cooking", but it's not eating out. There are 4 food groups:
1. coffee
2. cheap pasta in various forms
3. healthy snacks you don't have to cook (fruit, yogurt)
4. crappy snacks that you don't have to cook (granola bars, pretzels...)

I think I've become a vegetarian without realizing it....

 

[phoenixsupra]

I don't know if you can call this "cooking", but it's not eating out. There are 4 food groups:
1. coffee
2. cheap pasta in various forms
3. healthy snacks you don't have to cook (fruit, yogurt)
4. crappy snacks that you don't have to cook (granola bars, pretzels...)

I think I've become a vegetarian without realizing it....

Ha ha lol

 

[Sweet Tea]

I don't know if you can call this "cooking", but it's not eating out. There are 4 food groups:
1. coffee
2. cheap pasta in various forms
3. healthy snacks you don't have to cook (fruit, yogurt)
4. crappy snacks that you don't have to cook (granola bars, pretzels...)

I think I've become a vegetarian without realizing it....

LOL...this is my diet!!

I got a crock pot for my bday last year, and I try to make a big pot of something freezeable every 2-3 weeks. Then I freeze the leftovers in single-servings and I have a home-cooked, mostly healthy meal during exam weeks.

I hate exams weeks.

 

[GoodMonkey]

I don't know if you can call this "cooking", but it's not eating out. There are 4 food groups:
1. coffee
2. cheap pasta in various forms
3. healthy snacks you don't have to cook (fruit, yogurt)
4. crappy snacks that you don't have to cook (granola bars, pretzels...)

I think I've become a vegetarian without realizing it....

seriously - totally my diet. add a quickie-microwaved baked potato and that's about it.

 

[snapdad]

Seems I've done the opposite of a lot of people. I used to eat takeout all the time, and ate terribly the first several weeks of med school. That was up until we had to do nutrition analyses on ourselves for a class, which was like cold water in the face. Since then I cook for myself and eat a LOT better. My wallet's a lot happier since then too.

 

[Doc Ivy]

I think I've become a vegetarian without realizing it....

So true, I mainly eat things that don't require cooking, fruit, veggies and dip. sunflower seeds. Eggs are like a Godsend when you're poor busy and hungry. So while I don't cook much, I guess I still eat pretty healthy: I did the freshman 15 in undergrad and I didn't want it to happen again.

 

[Discobolus]

I try to eat a balanced diet from the 4 food groups

1. Taco Bell
2. Sonic
3. Wendys
4. Ben and Jerry's

 

[gatsbyjo]

I eat the same thing every day. A boca burger, healthy choice frozen dinner and a couple of healthy snacks... pretty cheap and healthy... I don't have time to work out, but I haven't gained a lb!

 

[Espion]

The best diet I've ever been on was 12 weeks of surgery.

 

[dancinjenn]

Sams club is my best friend!!! Single servings of cookies, Cheez-its, granola, nuts, cheese sticks, yogurt, etc. dinner...hmmm, chili, baked beans, lunchmeat and cheese roll-ups, soup & grilled cheese...easy 10 minute meals

 

[Carbon]

A bag of frozen vegetables thrown in a skillet for 6 minutes, add some bottled Thai peanut sauce, stir for 1 minute, eat. That's my dinner at least 4 days per week.

 

[drdr2010]

now that i think about it, i may have eaten a Lean Pocket for lunch every single day this semester. and funny, i'm not sick of them! i think its that crust...sooo good.
before med school i was dietician/nutritionist....and i feel bad about not eating 5 servings of fruit and veggies a day when i used to force others to do it and tell them how "easy" it would be to fit them in a normal diet. ahh the burden of the guilt. (as i eat my dinner of canned soup and a large coffee....but its exam week!)

 

[drlexygoat]

Over the last few years my diet has def. gotten better. I figure there's no use in tellin gmy future patients to eat healthful foods if I can't follow my own example.

Since med school started I've dropped a few pounds from simply not having the time to eat!! I make sure to bring my lunch 4 days a week and stock up on fresh veggies and fruits to nosh on during the day. In a pinch, I'll pack some Lean Cuisines or Healthy Choice frozen meals. It's not the best, but it beats fast food.

 

[Long Dong]

I have the "if it is free, it's for me" diet. Meaning if there is and interest group, tumor board, or grand rounds with free food I'm there and I bring a zip lock bag to take some home for later. Life suck when you're so poor that you can't even pay attention.

 

[phoenixsupra]

😱

I have the "if it is free, it's for me" diet. Meaning if there is and interest group, tumor board, or grand rounds with free food I'm there and I bring a zip lock bag to take some home for later. Life suck when you're so poor that you can't even pay attention.

Ha ha. That's sort of my situation too. I'll sit through anything for a free lunch. 😉 Oddly enough my school seems to be trying to condition me to eat only pizza and coke. 😱

 

[Sharn Penndroen]

Glad to be married. My wife takes care of me.

I pack a lunch and during my hour lunch break I work out for 45 minutes in the Student Union and then eat my lunch the last 15 on my way to class.

Med school has actually been good to my personal health.

Imagine that...

 

[phoenixsupra]

Med school has actually been good to my personal health.

That wasn't medschool that was good to you. It was your wife.

 

[Sharn Penndroen]

That wasn't medschool that was good to you. It was your wife.

LOL

True

 

[surrender903]

is there anyone else here who just does not like hot beverages? i cant stand coffee tea or hot chocolate... ugh...

i do enjoy the occasional frappucino with no whip though

 

[Long Dong]

😱

Ha ha. That's sort of my situation too. I'll sit through anything for a free lunch. 😉 Oddly enough my school seems to be trying to condition me to eat only pizza and coke. 😱

Seriously I had pizza 4 days in on week because of this, and each time I took a box of left over pizza from the meetings so that meant I had pizza for lunch and dinner. Man I'm sick of pizza and I wish I had a wife.

 

[stomper627]

Guess Im one of the weird ones....being a bodybuilder and all....for me its the occasional binge (big donut or ice cream fan), but usually diet consists of protein bars, oatmeal, chicken breasts (I freeze them after I cook em, and stick them in my pockets...in ziplocks... to eat on a break on rounds), protein shakes, steaks, tuna, applesauce cottage cheese and strawberries, apples, mixed nuts, salads, string cheese, eggs, and salmon. Ive cooked a turkey on occasion for a change from the chicken. Also got a decent (not great) high protein pancake recipe.
Anyway....eating healthy is pretty easy, just takes some effort. Bad enough I have to listen to it from patients(about how hard it is)....let alone people who know better!!!
stomper

 

[Mike59]

Since medschool my diet has gone downhill....my health has been pretty good however, since I goto the gym regularly and don't eat too much junk...My lack of an ability to cook has made me find creative ways to survive:

Here's a typical grocery list for me:
- Peanut butter / Jam
- Bread
- Campbell's chicken noodle soup (at least 10 cans at each purchase), comes in handy for a spontaneous breakfast, lunch or (yes it's pathetic), DINNER!
- CEREAL! (Again, comes in handy for breakfast, lunch, or DINNER!)
- Eggs are really easy and work for all three meals (I usually scramble 'em)
- Fruit- at least one a day
- Beer...2 beers q 3-4 days with a medium pizza
- Salmon cans- taste good but smell bad (have to open up the windows for a few hours afterwards)

As you can see, if I don't go out, my diet SUCKS! It's more about speed and ease than nutrition, but I feel ok so ah well 🙂

 

[tkdchica]

I cook a lot more. At first it was hard to turn down free lunches, but I've ended up losing 15 pounds since medical school started. It seems that we have two groups...those that have gained a lot and those that have lost. The crockpot has become my best friend.

 

[flash]

Am an MS0 beginning next year, but I've got good habits that some of you might benefit from:

1) If bunch of restaurants are around, buy a few lunches (cheaper) and freeze them for a while. I get restaurant food for $6 around me.

2) Buy really good fresh soups (particularly asian, thai, vietnamese) and load them up with veggies. Again buy a couple of extra and freeze them. Even a simple wonton soup with 3 carrots, steamed brocolli, red bell peppers and some tofu added can be very filling and nutritious. The broth alone if a great base for fresh, healthy ingredients added.

3) Saucy dishes - everything from indian/thai/chinese to pasta. Freeze the excess sauce, top a dollop or two over a piece of grilled chicken, a tasty, restaurant quality meal in 10 minutes.

4) Lightly steam veggies for the next 3 or 4 days, so they are ready to go.

4.5) Half a tomatoe with every meal at home. Quick, lo cal and healthy boost to whatever.

4.75) A few slices of avocado a few times a week. I actually put 5 slices of tomato and avocado on a fast food burger to avoid the guilt.

5) Instead of peanut butter, use natural almond butter - higher in unsaturated fats. Watch the transfat with pb - you can find "all natural" peanut only pb. Oil separation is a good sign.

6) Breakfast is my "really healthy meal", b/c i'm always on the go. Strictly regimented - OJ, apple, banana, a few nuts, oatmeal, skim milk, yougurt and shredded wheat. Some combination.

 

[DriNDT]

My diet really varies week to week... and it depends on whether it's crunch time for exams or not (aka, am I eating for therapeutic relief?🙂). I try to be good and cook dinner at least twice a week. Sometimes I pack a lunch, but often, if I stay after class to study, I end up ordering take-out or walking to a nearby sub shop. The Wendy's in the hospital is irritatingly convenient too🙁 I am fortunate enough to have a husband who does the grocery-shopping though, so unlike most medical students, I tend to have food available at home that deters me from spending unnecessary money on fast food.

 

[Sweet Tea]

I cook a lot more. At first it was hard to turn down free lunches, but I've ended up losing 15 pounds since medical school started. It seems that we have two groups...those that have gained a lot and those that have lost. The crockpot has become my best friend.

actually, i've been doing this a lot more. crockpot chili, crockpot stew, and crockpot soup all freeze really well, and it's so easy; cut up ingredients, dump in crockpot, leave it along for 6 hours and you've got more food than you can eat. i love my crock pot, and i have lost weight this year by avoiding the free lunches and by planning my meals ahead. although i do give in to the pasta+sauce dinner when i've run out of frozen meals and i don't have the time/patience to cut things up. and when i'm really stressed and short on time, there's nothing like a nice hot bowl of ramen. 😉

 

[buglady]

Even though the amount of pizza (free lunch time talks) I've consumed in the past year and a half has gone up astronomically, I feel like as long as I excercise, a semi-balance can be achieved. I lucked out with the location of my med school in that there is very little fast food available (outside of icky McDonald's and Burger King). Plus, even if there were alot of fast food, it's too damn cold out to go foraging for cheap food.

I'm still eating all the homemade food my mom cooked for me and froze the last time she visited! I love to cook, but I don't like cooking for one and sometimes just don't have the time to cook for longer than 15 or 20 minutes. Like everyone else, my typical diet consists of oatmeal, pasta, baked potatoes and some sort of frozen vegetable + rice or cous cous dish.

Oh to have a Trader Joe's closer than 2 1/2 hours away....

 

[sundevil23]

My diet since entering med school has stayed basically the same. I cook in most nights and just cook healthy fast meals such as veggie burgers, steamed veggies and brown rice, soups, chilli, etc. I try to eat as healthy as possibly because it gives me more energy and stamina for workingout and studying. My one big vice has always been caffeine beverages and since med school it has only gotten worse.

 

[ishaninatte]

I eat a lot of PB&J. Its not exactly cooking but its not take out either. I've definately gained weight though. I'm currently on the first diet of my life so that I can fit into a bridesmaid dress on Dec. 18th. Dietting sucks and I miss my chocolate.

Did you get into it?