Living on your own or going off to college can be a major challenge, especially with easy access to fast-food stops, potato chips, frozen pizza, soda, etc. With classes and a busy social life you may neglect yourself by eating the wrong foods. In The Complete Guide to Healthy Cooking and Nutrition for College Students you’ll learn the basic nutrition basics that you should eat every day, how to evaluate your new surrounds (Dorm Kitchen, College Cafeteria and Local Restaurants), and obtaining the correct basic supplies for your dorm/apartment kitchen (microwave oven, George Forman Grill, Crock-Pot slow cooker, Blender, Mixer, utensils, cookware, spices, cups, bowls, plates, etc.).

Chapter 6 takes you through the basic cooking terms of the instruments/appliances you use to cook with, along with a few simple dishes, like bacon, eggs, toast, etc. You’ll also learn about freezing and storing foods. There are four separate chapters for each year in college (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) giving simple but tasty recipes, like Grilled Cheese English Muffin, Crock-Pot Roast, Tacos, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and many other great recipes.

The Complete Guide to Healthy Cooking and Nutrition for College Students is an interesting book for college students, giving great nutrition facts, recipes, tips on exercising, and to help you not to gain 17 pounds at college. The book can be a great gift for a college student or a soon-to-be college student. ( )

First of all, I'm not a college student. However, I do have a granddaughter that will be entering college this coming year so I felt I should review this book to see if it is something to suggest to her.

There are many pluses in this book. Although the USDA Food Pyramid is taught in school addressing it I believe is of importance. It serves as a basic reminder of what requirements are necessary to maintain a healthy body. As well, I felt the section on basic supplies is important. Many times college students are given a mish-mash of stuff to set up their first apartment. The list in this book can be used to check-off or to request from kind donors. Then there is that "first" trip to the grocery story. The tips given will prevent impulse buying.

The recipes are simple and the ingredients can be easily found in the pantry of the college student. If not, the trip to the local grocery store will find what is needed. The author also provides nutrition facts for each recipe.
Healthy choices is the bottom line to not gaining weight when first on your own. I commend J. Lucy Boyd for compiling this very important book for college students. I encourage buying one for every high school grad you know. It may be the best gift they receive. ( )