If you're like me, you started this school year telling yourself you would only eat fresh and healthy meals you made yourself. But let's be honest: student life is hard. Waking up for your 8:30 A.M. class is still a struggle and you're questioning the number of co-gro bagels you've consumed. There aren't enough hours in your day between school and work to cook fresh, healthy meals. But that's okay because Grocery Checkout is here to help.

Grocery Checkout not only offers fresh produce and a bulk section that is simply addicting but also a variety of fresh and tasty, ready-to-go meals.

1. Fresh Rolled Sushi

Do you love sushi, and wish you could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Kingston offers tons of options for some bomb sushi, from Choi's Roll to Sima Sushi, but social and academic obligations often wreak havoc on our sushi cravings. Lucky for us, Grocery Checkout has partnered with Akira Restaurant to provide freshly rolled sushi from Monday to Friday. Some of their options include the Dynamite Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Vegetarian California Roll. And did I mention that you can get a roll customized on the spot? That's all I ever wanted.

2. Kale Pesto Pasta

While we all love pasta, there's always the feeling of guilt of craving pasta all the time. And that feeling only gets worse if you haven't had any sort of nutritious meals for the past week. Lucky for you, Grocery Checkout has found a way to make your favourite dish healthier. They went the extra mile to make pesto with kale, and we all know it doesn't get any healthier than kale. If you're on the kale bandwagon, you go Glen Coco! And if you're not, you may want to give Kale Pesto Pasta a chance.

Ingredients: Kale, Garlic, Lemon, Sundried Tomato, Fusilli Pasta, Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper, Walnuts, Parmesan (also sold without). 

3. Tricolour Chickpea Salad

vegetable, cereal, legume, meat, pea, chickpeas, garbanzo, corn
Christin Urso

There's more to chickpeas than hummus, trust me. The Tricolour Chickpea Salad is one of my favourites, simply because as a Queen's student, you cannot have enough tricolour in your life. Plus, chickpeas are just straight-up amazing. They are a great source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. So, if you don't want any leafy greens in your salad and still want something nutritious, this is for you. 

Ingredients: Three types of Chickpeas, Red, Yellow, and Green Peppers, Red Onion, Cilantro, Orange Vinaigrette.

4. Kale Crunch Salad

We all have that one friend who we low-key judge for ordering a salad while we drool over our cheeseburger (extra cheese). But why must we give salads such a bad rep? They don't have to be tasteless and Grocery Checkout definitely recognizes this. Their salads are not only nutritious but hit your taste buds in all the right spots. So if you're a salad hater, this fresh and healthy Kale Crunch Salad may revolutionize your opinion.

Ingredients: Mango, Dried Cranberries, Goat's Milk Cheese, Pecans, Kale Crunch, Salad Greens, Caribbeans Mango Dressing.

5. Hot-N-Ready-N-Healthy

See, what I did there? No?!? Well, that was a Little Caesars Hot-N-Ready pizza reference. But enough of the greasy food thoughts. Grocery Checkout once again comes through with their hot, ready, and healthy meals prepared fresh every day. If you're not in the mood for a salad, try their Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Chicken or Salmon with Veg and Rice.

When your day is packed with classes, assignments, time at Club Stauff, and socializing, who has time to cook? Queen's students have been #blessed with Grocery Checkout, located at the heart of the campus for fresh and healthy meals in a hurry.