6 Healthy Eating Tips For College Students
Recent studies indicate that college students often engage in unhealthy eating habits. It’s no wonder: delicious temptations are plentiful, while time is scarce. Tempted by quick and easy dietary options, students are often faced with a choice at the cost of their health and well-being. Fortunately, a college dining hall has options on hand that are healthier and more nutritional than chips and fries. Take note, restaurateurs: this guide can help you craft a health-conscious menu. By following our healthy eating tips for college students, you can decrease your risk of obesity or other complications and unlock their potential to learn.
1: Pick the Dining Hall that Suits Your Needs
The first of our healthy eating tips for college students is important if it applies to you. In many colleges, there are multiple dining halls. Choosing the one that suits your needs is critical to starting your journey to a healthier diet.
When making your decision, take into account the following factors:
- The distance to your dorm room.
- What’s on the menu.
- How the food is prepared.
- What products are used in your meal?
- Your personal preferences.
You don’t want it to be located too far from where you live or study; otherwise, it will take up your time to get there, and eventually you’ll give it up. The type of food on the menu is important. You may be a burger-fan but look for a dining hall that has diverse meals to pick from, as well as a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. Think critically when doing your homework.
2: Make a Plan of Your Meals
An easy step in our healthy eating tips for college students, whether online or onsite a dining hall should have a weekly menu. Studies indicate that most guests check the menu online before venturing to a restaurant. Restaurateurs take that knowledge and tweak accordingly, to entice potential visitors. There you can check the nutritional value of the meals and devise your own meal plan adjusted to your personal preferences and dietary needs. Make sure that you include enough fiber, lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats rather than delicious but empty calories. By eating healthily, you will stay energized and focused longer, and your stomach urges won’t bother you for many hours.
3: Never Skip Breakfast
Breakfast is important. Eating breakfast has many health benefits, but most importantly it helps you to avoid unhealthy snacks. Ensure that you make enough time to have a normal nutritious breakfast in the morning before you go to classes.
4: Cut Sugar
Did you know that sugar is incredibly addictive? Additionally, sugar has a seriously negative influence on our cognitive abilities, behavior, and decision-making. Not something a student would want.
While life without sugar is just a boring existence, there are many reasons to bring your eating choices to balance. If you can’t live without waffles – go for them – but choose fruits and/or honey as a dressing. If you are a coffee-person, learn to enjoy the natural sweetness of milk rather than add tons of topping or whipped cream.
Finally, your sugar cravings can mean that your body needs more carbs. You can fix that by increasing your intake of wholesome oats and grains instead of simple sugars.
5: Build a Healthy Eating Routine
It’s not just what you eat that matters, but how you do it too. Students pressed for time might gulp their food without chewing or try and multitask while eating. While it does save you a few minutes, such habits may be damaging for your digestive system and cause problems with weight.
To turn your eating routine into a healthy process, you need the following:
- Make enough time to carefully chew and taste your food. Not only will it help you finally enjoy your meal, but slowing down will also leave you feeling fuller and with fewer calories consumed.
- Remove all of your distractions. By shifting your attention to a laptop or a smartphone rather than your meal, you stop listening to your body and usually eat more than you need. Focusing on the process can help you prevent weight problems and invest in your health.
- Go with your hunger. Food may be a good remedy for stress, but it may be the reason for new stress later on. Learn to eat when you feel hungry, and stop when you don’t anymore. Using smaller plates can help to control your portions and avoid overeating.
6: Be Kind to Yourself
The last of our healthy tips for college students involves self-care. College students need just one simple tip – cut yourself some slack. Remember that your health should always be a top priority.
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