At first glance, LSP freshman Kimberly Buesser may seem like an ordinary student. However, when the sun goes down, the aspiring nutritionist transforms into the writer behind EatRealBeReal, a food blog on WordPress that showcases her culinary talents. Buesser keeps her refrigerator stocked with a wide range of ingredients to make her healthy creations. Her favorites are items that are affordable and essential to every college student’s diet.

Nut Butter 

Creamy or chunky, Buesser defines nut butter as, “anything that … the ingredients [say] contains only nuts, or you can make it yourself at Whole Foods.” The spread benefits the body with its antioxidants and proteins, according to the blogger. Buesser enjoys mixing nut butter with fruit or creating unique sandwiches.

Carrots

A staple at local food markets, carrots provide the required daily dose of vegetables while also strengthening eyesight with their beta-carotene. Carrots, combined with other foods, make quick and easy snacks for students in between classes.

“Ok, don’t judge, but everyone does. I love putting peanut butter and chocolate together and dipping carrots into it for dessert,” Buesser said.

Plain Yogurt

“I just got an ice cream maker, so I loved experimenting with healthy ice creams last summer. I decided to replace ice cream with yogurt and became hooked,” Buesser said.

She said a morning serving, mid-day smoothie or a late- night fro-yo aids the digestion process. Though there is no limit when it comes to choices in toppings, her preferences include fruit, nuts, peanut butter, cocoa powder and honey.

Eggs

Eggs from a farmer’s market are perfect any time of the day, according to Buesser.

“So versatile: you can boil them, scramble them, put them in veggie burgers, use them in baking, whip the whites or use the yolks to make ice cream. The possibilities are endless,” she said.

The nutrition enthusiast favors boiled eggs on salad and toast topped with fried eggs and sliced tomato.

Wheat Germ

Buesser, inspired by her mother and Food Network star Alton Brown, claims this ingredient is a necessity and says she always keeps wheat germ in her kitchen. The satisfying food adds whole grains to your meals. For example, a wheat germ-infused smoothie, bowl of oatmeal or a serving of granola keeps the stomach from
grumbling in morning classes.

A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, Sept. 11 print edition. Kathryn Jones is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].