It is so easy to get lost in world of junk food and unhealthy eating habits, especially on a college campus. Now that you’re out of the house, you can go to the supermarket and buy a pack of Oreo’s that you can have all to yourself without Mom breathing down your neck about it. And we’ve all had those nights in Ray when we’re reaching for the same piece of pizza that we’ve been eating for the past two nights in a row because nothing else seems appealing.
You may think that you can get away with eating the extra calories because you’ll be working it out at the gym later, but the food you ingest is just as important to your health as fitness and exercise. Eating healthy is easy and not as painful or disgusting as you may think! I’ve pulled some scenarios that frequently lead us to eating junk food and added some healthier alternatives:
– Pulling an all-nighter.
That Civ test won’t study itself! You’re burning the midnight oil and it’s so tempting to reach for that bag of chips just to settle your growling stomach.
1. Try an apple! It’s filling and the natural sugars will give you a burst of energy that will last longer than a cup of coffee.
2. Eat some crackers and peanut butter. The peanut butter will give you the protein you need to keep your mind focused and your stomach full.
– Too busy to stop in Ray.
It’s hard to sit down and have a full meal every day, especially when you’re rushing between classes and study sessions. However never discount your stomach when you’re hungry; skipping meals is just as unhealthy for your body as loading up the carbs.
1. For breakfast: snag a banana. The potassium will fill you up for hours and will keep you awake for your morning classes (hint: you can always steal a few in Ray and keep them in your room, just make sure to keep them at room temperature!)
2. For lunch: Nature Valley granola bar. These granola bars come in great flavors and are filled with great ingredients such as oatmeal that will fill you up and keep you going.
3. For dinner: cereal and fruit. Put away that Easy Mac and grab a bowl of cereal with milk! Cereals such as Cheerio’s, Special K, and Raisin Bran (try no cereals with marshmallows or chocolate!) are loaded with good carbs. If you’re extra hungry, cut up some banana or strawberries to throw into the cereal.
I’ll check back in later with some more improved eating tips and tricks. Enjoy your week and stay healthy!