Holistic Health: Food for Thought

Staying hydrated and eating? It’s important to find time for both of these

Staying on a consistent eating schedule can be difficult. When we are young, our eating habits are routine to us. But as we get older, life becomes busier, and finding time to sit down and eat well becomes all the more difficult. College students face this challenge every day. Whether eating with a meal plan or trying to find time to dine, college students know the difficulty of eating a healthy, balanced diet while juggling school, work, and social life. There are many ways we can eat better and we can stay hydrated as well.

Not all people eat breakfast. They may not have the appetite for food in the morning, or maybe they do not have the time. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day though. Not only does it “break your fast” after a good night’s sleep, but it has many other benefits as well. Eating breakfast helps boost your energy, making it a great way to start your day. It helps with your metabolism by replenishing your blood sugar levels, meaning it keeps your metabolism going throughout the day. Skipping breakfast can have negative consequences, especially for those who work out and stay active throughout the day. A lack of breakfast leads to lethargy, trouble focusing, and increased cravings for junk food. If you find yourself too busy to eat breakfast at the cafeteria, there are a number of alternative options that work around your schedule. Yogurt cups, fresh fruit, oatmeal cups, and protein bars are all great options for an easy, quick breakfast.

Snacking is another way to stay energized and feeling good during a long day of classes. Keeping snacks on hand helps you resist the temptation of less nutritious treats. Like eating breakfast, snacking helps boost energy levels. Not only that, but it helps fuel your brain, which is great for a long day of school work and studying. Snacking also helps stabilize your blood sugar between meals, which means you can say goodbye to the fatigue or dizziness that comes with forgetting to eat.

Lastly, we won’t focus so much on food but rather hydration. Water is your best friend. Staying hydrated means your body functions at its best. Dehydration leads to headaches, fatigue, poor focus, and dizziness. Especially for those who work out every day, water is a necessity. Avoid high intakes of other beverages, such as coffee, sodas, juices, and energy drinks. These are full of calories but they do not hydrate. To avoid running out of H2O, carry a reusable bottle wherever you go.

Overall, it is important to focus on your eating habits in life, but especially in college, where it seems school and work come before everything else. Just remember, taking care of yourself should be the highest priority; a healthy body and mind means a healthy life. Next week, I will be talking about sleeping habits and how important it is to reach the quota amount of rest hours. Until next time.