By Nicola Cucuiet and Sylvia Klinger
A new school year is already here, leaving behind those long lazy summer days. Days when you had enough time to focus on having a balanced nutrition and a regular exercise plan. For those of you starting college, know that this time in your life will be sprinkled with a lot of sleepless nights, nights lost cramming for the next exam or nights spent in the company of friends, always eating on the run, in most cases foods with low nutrition content because of the fact that they are convenient and fast!
In this time of your life it is most important to make your body function like a well oiled machine in order to secure your way to success. First of all you need to make sure you provide an abundance of quality nutrients for you body. Eat a variety of different foods every day, this way you will be able to benefit from the different nutrients contained in each different food. Make sure you eat at least three meals every day. Your meals have to be approximately three or four hours apart, but this aspect can vary depending on each person different schedules and eating habits.
Organize your meals so that you have breakfast within the first hour after waking up, and make sure you eat dinner, two or three hour before going to bed. The last meal of the day should always be light and easy to digest. Eat lean protein like chicken, fish, turkey paring them with salads, or some wild rice and even steamed or grilled vegetables. Going to bed with a full stomach can interfere with the quality of your sleep and cause various sleep problems, affecting your school performance. Making a change for the better when it comes to eating habits is easier that it seams. Many people blame their busy schedules for their chaotic nutrition, in the hope of finding a good excuse but there is no room for excuses when it comes to your health. Every time you sit down to eat you are choosing either to be healthy or unhealthy. Always carry with you some quick and healthy snack options like nuts, fruit, granola bars (see list below), this way is you are stuck in class longer that expected, you will be able to provide your body with the dose of nutrients it needs to keep you functioning properly.
When you are young you don’t put to much thought into what you eat because of the fact that your metabolism is working stronger than ever. It is when you are young that eating habits develop, habits that will later form the foundation of a well nourish body. So make the change now and choose to be healthy.
As we dropped off my daughter for her freshman year in college, I made sure I helped her pack a nice supply of quick and healthy foods along with the her mirror, comforter, curtains, bathroom mat, you name it she has it all now!
Healthy Dorm Snack Ideas
Snacks to keep in your room:
Peanut butter and crackers (either a jar of PB and some whole grain crackers or individual packages)
Raisins, craisins, dried apricots, or other dried fruits
Bananas, apples, oranges are OK for a couple days
Cereal , granola, instant oatmeal packets
Microwave popcorn or individual bags of popcorn – low fat
Crackers
Pretzels, humus chips (my fav), baked pita chips
Individual fruit cups or cans of fruit
Lower fat cookies such as gingersnaps, graham crackers, vanilla wafers
Peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, soy nuts, or other nuts or seeds
Packaged tuna in water (refrigerate after opening, if left overs)
Trail Mix
Individual cans or boxes of 100% juice (fruit or vegetable)
Snacks that need to be kept in the refrigerator/freezer:
Yogurt
Cheese (suggest individually wrapped string cheeses or mini cheese rounds or wedges)
Hummus or dip
Baby carrots or other vegetables such as edamame, snap peas, etc.
Milk – fat free or low fat chocolate milk, low fat soy milk
Live life and love it. Eat well.
