Student Survival Guide To Healthy Eating!

Hello future King's students,

Many future and current students worry that they may not be able to eat as healthy on campus as they would like. While this is certainly true for some people, it is really easy to make healthy meals while living on a student budget. Check out this week's blog for tips, tricks and ideas to make your eating as healthy as possible!

1. Yes, breakfast is the MOST important meal of the day!

No time is no excuse! If you've been using this excuse to miss breakfast, you've been missing the most important meal of the day. While that extra ten minutes in bed is super tempting, not eating breakfast will actually make you more tired! Eating breakfast helps you to improve concentration, gives you more energy and helps you to keep a healthy weight. Eating within an hour of waking up starts your metabolism and gives you the fuel you need to get through those early morning classes. 

2. Keep a snack in that sack

It can often be tempting to snack in between meals, especially when sitting in class. It can be especially tempting to go for junk food, as it's easy and cheap. That's why its important to plan ahead and keep snacks (especially healthy snacks) with you at all times. You never know when the munchies will hit! Eating regularly keeps your blood sugar levels stable and helps you to concentrate in class. Here's some backpack food stash ideas:

•  Fresh or dried fruit
• Raw cut up veggies
• Cheese
• High fibre cereal bars
• Trail mix, nuts

3. What's the low-down on late night snacking?

It can be super tempting to reach for a snack when trying to get that late night paper done or cramming for a mid-term. Late night snacking can be ok, but be careful what you snack on! A nutritious energy-packed snack can be just what you need to perk you up, but a snack high in salt, sugar or fat can cause you to more tired! Some examples of better choices to provide brain fuel include apples, whole wheat toast, peanut butter, carrots or whole grain crackers with hummus!  

4. Be careful of what you drink!

Staying hydrated is obviously important, but drinking too many lattes, soda or smoothies can increase your waist size. Water is the best choice when choosing what to drink, not to mention that it's free! Take a water bottle with you every day and aim for at least eight cups of water a day. 

Healthy eating doesn't just happen overnight and it's easier to make small changes to your diet. If your diet is low in vegetables, try and add one serving a day. If you skip meals, change your schedule. If you eat out, learn how to cook. If you don't know what to cook, Pinterest is your best friend. If you do eat out, only eat half a portion and take the leftovers home. When you have healthy foods on hand, you're more likely to eat them, so go grocery shopping regularly! Make a shopping list and stick to it! It's not easy, but starting healthy habits will do much to help you during your years at university. 

All the best, 

Josh