3 Tips for a Healthier Lifestyle
Written by: Ekroop Jassar, 1st year Medical Science
Photo by: Unsplash
Photo by: Unsplash
Watching my friends try to save money on meal plans by limiting themselves to one meal a day brought to light the complicated relationship many university students have with food. Countless other examples of harmful eating behaviors are prevalent on university campuses, such as students being too busy to eat, obsessive calorie and nutrient tracking, stress eating and prioritizing bodily aesthetics over health.
The opposite of harmful food relationships is mindful eating, which is about listening to one's body before eating. Mindful eating is just one strategy students can use to improve their relationship with food, and the following are a few more student-specific suggestions.
1. Eat well, spend smart.
Whether a student purchases a meal plan or not, they should be mindful of the monetary value of food to prevent ending up in a situation where they cannot afford to eat. Meal plans do not accommodate all students equally; for example, student-athletes are more likely to run out of their meal plan because of their higher daily physical activity. Creating a personalized budget can help students manage their expenses in a way that suits their needs.
As for students who do not have a meal plan, they should consider that cooking is often cheaper than ordering food, and buying ingredients is even more affordable than buying pre-made meals. Exploring different meal options and sharing cooking resources with friends is also a great way to stay under budget while maintaining health.
Overall, limiting one's intake is dangerous and can have long-term impacts on physical health and relationships with food. Universities and communities should prioritize access to adequate and nutritious meals to support student well-being.
2. Learn to ignore calorie-tracking apps.
There is a fine line between students tracking calories because they want to lose weight and becoming overly focused on tracking. With the rise of AI in youth-targeted software, certain companies have developed apps like Cal AI, which uses AI detection to track calories based on pictures of people's meals. Although calorie-tracking apps can help people reach their nutritional and physical goals, students might benefit from incorporating other strategies, so they do not become dependent on these apps. Students could adopt routines including cheat days and recognize that not always meeting calorie and nutrient goals is perfectly healthy.
3. Start enjoying meals.
Between lectures, tutorials, and endless assignments, it is easy to let eating fall to the bottom of your priority list, but fueling your body is the only way to keep up with the demands of university. Whether the excuse for skipping meals is being too busy or forgetting to eat while studying, these habits need to change. Meals should be an enjoyable break from work, not a chore. To make meals more enticing, students can try to eat with their friends (whether in person or on call), listen to music or watch a show, or have a treat with their meals. Students who forget to eat can set alarms for their mealtimes to ensure they do not fall into a perpetual pit of work. In the end, whatever strategy students choose, they should make room for eating in their schedules and view meals as valuable moments instead of a hindrance.
University is most people's first time being fully in control of their eating habits, and some people make the wrong decisions. These habits may not seem like a big deal, but improper eating can cause physical and mental health detriments in the long run. Your body will thank you in university and beyond if you adopt mindful eating habits. A little effort in mindful eating today will fuel a healthier, happier you for the rest of your life.
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