College can be one of the most fun and memorable chapters in your life, especially if you manage to stay healthy for the most part. Being young does not mean being impervious to illnesses, as your health could suffer if you don’t keep track of your diet and you continue to lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Although most colleges do provide health care and physical activities, you would want to stay in good physical shape by maintaining a healthy diet. Here are some of the tips that you should keep in mind:
-
Learn Appropriate Proportion Size
Don’t eat too much, even if you’re eating healthy foods like vegetables. Keep track of how much you are eating. If you’re eating meat, the serving should be approximately the size of a deck of cards. The serving of other foods may vary depending on the type.
-
Don’t Skip Breakfast
You might have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s true, as you will get the nourishment you need for the rest of the day when you have a healthy, balanced meal for breakfast.
According to nutritionists, you should eat breakfast within two hours after waking up. It should provide at least 20 to 30 percent of your calories for the day.
-
Don’t Eat Junk Food When Stressed
It can really be tempting to down a bag of chips or cookies when you’re tired after reviewing for an impending exam. For some teenagers, preparing for the finals won’t be complete without soda or Cheetos.
If you really can’t avoid eating when stressed, you’d rather stock your room with healthy snacks like fruits. You’ll likely reach for these healthy foods if you keep them nearby.
-
Drink Moderately
Partying is part of college life. It would be very hard for you to avoid nights of booze, especially after the exam week. But this does not mean you should go all out when partying. Drink in moderation so that you won’t consume the calories that come along, aside from avoiding the hangovers and other negative side effects.
-
Drink Lots of Water
Drinking lots of water will help you concentrate better, especially when you are preparing for an exam. It can also prevent you from overeating, as water can give you a feeling of fullness. Make sure that you are hydrated all the time by bringing water with you.
At the same time, you must limit your consumption of sugary and caffeinated beverages. These drinks will not only fatten you but could have a detrimental effect on your health.
-
Don’t Forget Your Vitamins
Eating healthy foods is good, but there will be times that you need an increase in immune system especially during nights when you barely get sleep due to your workload. Taking vitamins should help improve your resistance to disease, while giving a boost in your energy levels.
-
Don’t Skip Meals
With all the things that you have to attend to, it can be easy to forgo eating. But like breakfast, don’t skip any meal, whether it’s dinner or lunch.
-
Indulge Once In a While
Give yourself a little treat every now and then as a reward for maintaining a healthy diet.
So before you check out the facilities, or learn more about the Iowa State University mascot, you should ingrain in yourself the aforementioned tips to keep yourself in tiptop shape.