College life is filled with learning and fun-filled activities with friends. But it can also make for some unhealthy eating habits. Here are some healthy eating tips for a college student:
Stock up on healthy snacks: Keep healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, and cut-up vegetables and dips (hummus, guac, tzatziki) in your dorm room for when you need a quick snack.
Make use of the dining hall: Most college dining halls offer healthy options like salads, grilled meats, and fresh vegetables. Take advantage of these options instead of always reaching for pizza, burgers, and fries.
Avoid sugary drinks: Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee drinks.
Choose whole grains: Whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereal instead of refined grains like white bread and white rice.
Incorporate protein: Include protein in your meals and snacks to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Good sources of protein include chicken, fish, tofu, beans, and Greek yogurt.
Limit processed foods: Limit your intake of processed foods like chips, cookies, and snack bars. Opt for whole foods instead.
Meal prep: Use your weekends or free time to meal prep for the week ahead. This will help you stay on track and avoid unhealthy last-minute food choices.
Load up on greens: Add some greens to every meal, they provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your diet.
Use a motivational water bottle: Make water a priority and use a water bottle with timely reminders or set up reminders on your phone to get your daily water consumption going. If you don't like the taste of tap water in your dorm, invest in a water filter to make it taste better and encourage you to drink more.
Don't skip meals: Skipping meals can lead to low energy, fatigue, and overeating later. Make sure to eat regular meals and snacks to keep your metabolism going and avoid feeling hungry or fatigued.
Remember, college is a time of learning and growth, so be kind to yourself and don't stress too much about eating perfectly. Focus on the 80-20 rule and try to eat clean 80% of the time, and indulge 20% of the time. It is also important to manage stress well and get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. If you are short on time and need healthy grab and go snacks, check out my previous blog here.
Blogger bio: Chitra Rochlani is a NASM certified personal trainer (CPT) and corrective exercise specialist (CES) and Precision Nutrition Coach. She focuses on teaching her clients to move their body efficiently so they get lean, strong and feel good about taking care of their body. Chitra works with clients over zoom and in person (in her home gym studio)
Chitra empowers her clients to break free of the diet mentality and develop a speedy metabolism using fitness, nutrition and mindset tools. She uses her "Fit Warrior" method to combine nutrition, fitness and mindset to help her clients look, feel and perform at their best.