School Is In Session: Healthy Eating Habits for College Students

There are many challenges when it comes to college life, from cramped quarters in the dorms to finding the time to study between having a social life and attending classes. With all of the challenges of settling back into college life after the holidays comes the challenge of eating the way you should.

Eating healthy often falls by the wayside when you’re super busy. Suddenly, you find yourself grabbing a burger from the fast food joint down the street, just snacking on chips instead of eating a healthy meal when you’re studying, or sometimes just not eating at all.

This can cause health issues that you don’t want to deal with in college. This blog will give you a few tips to help you eat the way you should, even with a busy schedule.

Know What a Balanced Diet Is

The first thing you need to know is what a balanced diet is. A well-balanced diet includes a healthy balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, along with vitamins and minerals. In other words, you’re going to need to eat at least one to two servings of veggies and fruits per meal and one serving of fat and protein.

Knowing what a balanced diet is, is the first step towards eating healthy when you’re in college.

Choose Fast Food Wisely

If you must eat fast food, and you really shouldn’t, choose the food you eat wisely. For example, choose pizza with half of the normal amount of cheese, or don’t supersize those fries. In fact, if possible, replace the French fries with a fresh side salad or a baked potato. It’s best to avoid greasy, fried foods altogether if you can, as they are bad for your weight and your skin as well.

Watch Your Sugar Intake

While sugar does add calories to your diet and will help with an energy burst, just as caffeine does, the ultimate crash will leave you exhausted and dull-minded. It’s best to limit your sugar intake and sweeten your coffee, tea, and other items in a more natural way, such as with honey or even with diet sweeteners instead.

Fish Oil Supplements and More

For most college students, there’s just no way you’re going to eat right all of the time. That’s why it’s a good idea to take supplements, such as fish oil supplements, which are great for skin, brain, and heart health. Take these supplements regularly and as directed for the best results.

However, you don’t need to start any type of supplement without speaking to your doctor first, just to be on the safe side.

Start a Dinner Club With Your Roommates

You’re not eating the way you should, and it’s a pretty safe bet that your roommates aren’t, either. This is a great thing to do if you live off-campus, especially if you miss the homecooked meals your mother fed you.

Talk to your roommates and friends about starting a dinner club, where you get together one or two nights a week and cook a homemade meal together.

If you know how to cook, then great. If not, start with something super easy, such as a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and a few sides. You’ll bond with your friends and roommates and eat a couple of home-cooked, healthy meals a week at the same time.

There are a lot of challenges when it comes to being a college student, and eating right is only one of them, but it is one of the most important to get right. These tips should help you get a handle on nutrition and much more.