For the past while, I’ve really been into fitness + health, especially learning + paying attention to what I put into my body + how my body responds to it. Going off to college has just been one of those stops in the road that has required me to reevaluate my eating habits + consider what the best choices are for this season in life.
For this post, I’ll be focusing on tips I’ve learned as a college student about food. I’ve done other posts on exercising in college + being motivated to be active, but this post is just focusing on eating. Like I’ve said before, I’m not a doctor or medical professional so please don’t take everything I say full-heartedly. However, I have learned + personally experienced this stuff + it has helped me. Hopefully this post can help you as well!
- Be mindful of snacking
Once I moved off to college, I had my own food supply + didn’t have to share with anyone else. Because of this, I was more likely to snack throughout the day + had less control over what I ate. This can be dangerous whether it’s during the daytime or night time!
I highly suggest not studying/ working on homework from your room. It is so much easier to get distracted or go to your fridge when you are at your dorm. Instead, go to the library or other work spaces so you aren’t tempted. I also suggest portion controlling how much you eat (instead of eating straight out of the bag or package) so you don’t overeat or graze.
2. You don’t need to have treats every day
The point of treats is that they don’t happen often so they are special. Treats shouldn’t be a thing you do every night. Not only is it a bad habit but it is not the best for your body. Although at college, there are plenty of opportunities for dessert, you can have the self-control to avoid it– even if your friends are having it. It may not be easy + it is definitely okay to splurge every now + then, but don’t go overboard on the treats.
3. Think: is this actually good for me + my body?
There is a whole lot of junk food at college. You may start to put things in your body without fully recognizing it’s impacts. I know for me, because my school’s cafeteria is a buffet, it’s easy for me to just listen to my cravings + what sounds good to me, instead of actually picking what’s best.
I think it’s easy to forget that food is fuel for your body. Although food is pleasurable + exciting, it needs to be balanced + there needs to be some self-control. When eating something, think: Will this food fulfill/ sustain me? Is this what my body actually needs? Am I balancing what I’m eating?
4. Just because your friends are doing it doesn’t mean you need to
Peer pressure is SO real! I have friends who can eat unhealthy all the time + it not effect them at all. I have friends who eat dessert all the time or never touch vegetables. The worst is when they try to persuade me to grab a treat when I really don’t need it. Sometime I give in, which is perfectly fine, but let me tell you, just because your friends are doing it or trying to get you to do it does not mean you need to. It can be tempting, but have the courage to resist if you don’t want to.
5. If you’re staying in a dining hall, don’t keep eating
The problem with eating in a dining hall is that you can always go back for seconds..or thirds..or fourths. If possible, don’t go back for seconds unless you really need to. If you’re chatting with friends for a while, you may start to get hungry again or bored + want to eat more food, however, it’s more than you need. You we’re already full + had plenty, but it can be easy to just keep going back the longer you stay.
6. Just because it’s a buffet doesn’t mean you need to load your plate
Portion size goes out the window once you’re off to college + eating at buffets/ dining halls. It’s hard to remember what a normal portion size is until you go back home. Your stomach will grow if you continually eat more food. Try to remember what a normal portion size + amount of food is so that you don’t overeat. You do not have to stack your plate full of food or try every single thing there is.
7. It’s okay to not eat everything on your plate
I have always been in the habit of eating everything on my plate. I’ve never wanted to be wasteful or throw away perfectly fine food. However, if something does not taste good or if you are full or you just don’t want it any more, it is okay to throw it out. You are paying for your food + it is not worth the extra calories if you don’t enjoy it. If possible, try to avoid grabbing food you may not eat or don’t know if you have room for, but sometimes it just happens.
8. Stick to water
Your school probably has a bunch of drink options of all kinds of sodas + other things. However, drinking soda all the time is not good for you– even if it’s diet. Soda has a bunch of hidden sugars + calories just for being a drink. I know I would much rather spend calories on food than on a drink. Try to stick to water as much as possible since it is the healthiest. It is the best go-to drink.
9. Reward yourself every now + then
Please don’t be too hard on yourself or restrictive. College is a time of learning as well as having fun. Also, if you hold back to much, you may binge. Learn to have balance around your eating habits: eating vegetables, eating treats, eating out, etc. Every so often it is okay to reward yourself or eat something you’ve been craving. But also, be proud of the small steps you take + the little adjustments you make. Each day is full of many choices. We makes good ones + bad ones + in between. If you can make some good food choices each day or swap out foods or make small adjustments, that is a step in the right direction.
If you enjoyed this post, check out my posts: 8 Tips for Exercising in College + 8 Exercise Ideas for College + Tips For Eating Healthy In College for more health + college related posts.
I’m curious, have you been enjoying my posts lately? Do you feel these topics are relevant + helpful to you? I would love to hear your thoughts + cater to your needs. Please let me know how I can be praying for you + questions you have about college, faith, singleness, etc. This website is for you!
I hope you have a great rest of your week! Talk soon!
<3 Ainsley