Good nutrition is essential for young people--especially college students. Bad nutrition may lead to poor academic performance, which can negatively effect young people for the rest of their lives. College students are constantly on-the-go, or perhaps on their own for the first time, and may not think about good nutrition, with some even skipping meals. While no student practices perfect nutrition, it's a good idea to remember some important points to stay healthy.
Eat Breakfast
Eating breakfast is essential to maintaining a healthy diet. Food is fuel, not just for the body but also for the mind. Without some type of breakfast, the mind and body won't function as well. Feeling sluggish, bad grades, poor concentration may all consequences of skipping breakfast.
A "healthy breakfast" doesn't mean a doughnut and a soda. Try for some sort of protein and carbohydrate combined, preferably, with a piece of fruit. A whole-wheat bagel with cream cheese, an egg sandwich, a bowl of cereal and glass of juice are good choices.
College students often skip breakfast because sleep often seems more valuable than food, and there's barely enough time to make the mad dash to class as it is. For the time-management impaired, many fast-food restaurants offer decent breakfast alternatives, such as McDonald's classic Egg McMuffin.
Skip the Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are ubiquitous on college campuses. They provide a quick source of energy in a convenient can. But inside those cans are loads of sugar, caffeine and chemicals.They do, indeed, give you a quick burst of energy, but it quickly wears off and the student will feel even more exhausted than before. Some energy drinks have more caffeine than they claim to, and some may not work at all. At around $3 a can, as of 2011, they aren't cost effective either.
Energy drinks can be useful in a pinch, but a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast will benefit the student far better than anything in a can. For an old fashioned pick-me-up, a cup of coffee works just as well--without the chemicals and sugar.
Cut Down on Junk Food
Chips, soda and pizza are okay once in awhile, but make it daily habit, and you'll soon learn the meaning behind the phrase "Freshman 15." These foods are convenient, cheap and available, but are loaded with sodium, sugar and fat. Weight gain and poor health soon follow, and academic performance may suffer.
To avoid these pitfalls, try the grocery store. Stock up with healthy snacks and fresh fruit. If you have a refrigerator, keep low-fat cheese, yogurt and canned fruit juice on hand. If you must have the pizza, try topping it with broccoli or fresh tomatoes instead of sausage and extra cheese.
Drink Water
When you're thirsty or having a meal, replace the soda with water. Besides being free and available right out of the tap, water has zero calories or sugar and will satisfy your thirst better than anything in a can. Water is essential to health as it keeps your tissues hydrated, keeps your urinary system in good working order, and helps stave off illness. If you're trying to lose weight, drinking water can help you feel fuller longer. More often than not, when you think you are hungry you are actually thirsty.
If you dislike water because it has no taste or because your water supply tastes a little funny, buy a purifier for your sink, or bottled water in the store--regular and flavored. Try adding a dash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for an added health and flavor boost.
Avoid alcohol
There are a dozen reasons to avoid drinking alcohol in college, one of which is the calories. A bottle of beer usually contains over a hundred calories. Also, many health problems are associated with drinking alcohol, and binge drinking can have serious consequences.
Exercise
Join a gym or an exercise class, play a sport, or start your own fitness routine. Regular exercise may not have anything to do with what you eat, but it can influence your decisions when it comes to food. Studies show that people who exercise have better eating habits, mainly because they don't want to ruin the progress they've made.
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