The Student’s Guide to Healthy Eating

While a diet of pizza, alcohol and cigarettes is pretty common for most college students, it is important to recognise that these habits are going to have a serious impact to your short-term and long-term health. Understandably budgets are tight amongst the student population; however, you can still maintain a healthy diet and mind-set with the following cheap and cheerful tips…

Hydrate!

Keeping hydrated is the key to a healthy lifestyle, and the best news is H20 is free! Make drinking water a daily habit and embrace its benefits. Drinking lots of water keeps your brain and body hydrated; giving you the extra energy you need to go about your day. As well as causing weakness, dizziness and fatigue, dehydration is also the main cause of headaches so drink the recommended eight glasses a day and discover the ultimate cure!

Water also works wonders for troubled skin, and induces a healthy glow that many people often try to imitate through the wonders of makeup. The benefits of increased water consumption doesn’t stop there either, if you have digestive problems, drinking water helps to reduce stomach acid reflux and helps your body process fibre and other nutrients, as well as flush out toxins and waste to give you an all-natural detox.

Encourage Healthy Snacking

Crisps and chocolate may appear to be a more economically viable, energy boosting snack but the slow release energy offered by fruit snacks is much better for you and may not cost as much as you think. Whilst fresh fruits may come at a premium, dried fruit bags cost very little and can quash hunger throughout the day, leaving you satisfied till dinner. Nuts and yoghurts also offer a healthy alternative to sweet treats and are a good source of the protein and calcium that your body needs.

Exercise Portion Control

Portion control can be a godsend to cash-strapped students, which will see their health, fitness and bank balance improved from this simple technique. Eating smaller portions of the right foods will leave you satisfied for longer between meal times, and those looking to lose weight in the process will also see dramatic results as portion control keeps cravings at bay and reduces the amount of calories you take in.

Portion control doesn’t mean eating super small portions and feeling hunger all the time, in the world of the supersize many of us have become accustomed to clearing our plates instead of leaving the table when we’re full. Other benefits of portion control include improved digestion, heightened energy levels and regulated sleeping patterns.

Visit your College Nutritionist

Many colleges or universities have in-house nutritionists so make use of this service and book yourself in for an appointment. In a time where you are mentally pushed to your limit, it helps to look about your body and a nutritionist can put you on the right track when it comes to your diet. A nutritionist will provide you with the information you need on food and healthy eating, as well as highlight areas of improvement in your current diet.

Never Skip Breakfast

The golden rule of starting your day in the right way is to never skip breakfast, which is often difficult for those who lead a busy lifestyle as a result of education or a flourishing career. Your first meal helps to kick-start your metabolism and keeps your body fuelled for the rest of the day. Due to the drop in blood sugar levels in the morning, it is recommended that you have a good breakfast within two hours of waking up.

Breakfast also helps you to function better, improving cognitive function and reducing irritability to keep you attentive and focused in class. Start the day with one of these healthy breakfasts…

• Wholegrain cereal
• Porridge with dried fruits
• Boiled egg on toast
• Muesli topped with fresh fruit and yoghurt
• Wholegrain bagel or muffin with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes

Moderation is Always the Key

Don’t want to give up your fast food just yet? Fast food is ok in moderation so choose wisely if you are looking to treat yourself in the midst of your new healthy eating regime. If you want to go for a pizza, choose one with a healthy topping like a vegetarian option with half cheese. The same rule applies with your sugar intake, limiting the amount of sugary foods you eat will take you one step closer to a healthier way of living, as well as promoting weight loss and reducing damaging effects like tooth decay. Start by reducing the amount of sugar you have in your morning coffee or cup of tea!

This article comes to you from the experts at the Personal Statement Service, they assist students with personal statement writing for entry into the most prestigious universities in the UK. As well as assisting with their personal statements, their specialists provide advice for students at every stage of their education, including all the fun bits outside of the classroom!