Homework. Exams. Relationship problems. Replace that consoling ice cream with a healthy helping.
Homework. Exams. Relationship problems. Replace that consoling ice cream with a healthy helping.
The first year of college life can bring many changes. Freshmen must adjust to living in a new place, develop new friends and learn how to manage their time efficiently. All of these pressures often make it very difficult for new students to focus on nutrition, especially when they are surrounded by buffet-style dining halls and vending machines. As such, planning healthy meals usually falls to the bottom of the list of the many things that a freshman college student needs to do.
Fortunately, dining halls on college campuses across the country already offer many healthy eating options. Students simply need to move past the trays of French fries and vats of ice cream in favor of more nutritious foods. Fried foods and sweets are OK to indulge in once in a while, but they definitely should not be a staple in a college student’s diet. Rather, college students should be consuming a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. With that thought in mind, the rest of this article is full of ideas for each meal of the day – and all of them can be made in the dining hall.
In order to start the day off right, college students must eat breakfast. Skipping the first meal of the day is not an option. According to food science and nutrition specialist Pat Kendall of Colorado State University, students complete more work and are better able to focus when they eat breakfast each day. Staying full and focused throughout the morning hours requires a breakfast that is high in fiber. According to an article in ScienceDaily, foods that are high in fiber “boost feelings of fullness.” Therefore, breakfast foods that are high in fiber, such as whole-wheat and bran cereals, will keep you feeling satisfied throughout the morning. Here are a few healthy breakfast ideas that you can either find in the dining hall, or make easily in your dorm room:
Cereal – 354 calories
Oatmeal & Bacon – 340 calories
Toast & Fruit – 330 calories
All of these breakfast ideas are high in fiber, low in saturated fat and include a serving of fruit. They are also fairly low in calories and contain more complex carbohydrates, which take longer to digest and keep you feeling full longer. If you have a long wait before lunch, grab a piece of fruit to snack on in between meals. A small granola bar is also a great way to satisfy hunger cravings. Again, these snacks are low in fat and calories, but still filling. However, a healthy snack should not take the place of a meal. Skipping meals will cause you to be hungrier later, which may encourage you to turn to “fast” and more convenient foods, which are often high in fat, cholesterol and sodium (according to the American Heart Association’s Fast Food Report Card). A little advance planning is all you need in order to eat healthy.
Lauren Smulski, Life Editor
Lauren Smulski is a journalism major with an English minor from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She began writing for iMPrint during the fall semester of her freshman year. Lauren also participates in a number of other organizations, including President's Host Committee, American Red Cross Club and the Big Brother / Big Sister program.
Lauren has written 3 article(s) for iMPrint. Find other articles by Lauren Smulski, Life Editor.
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