Surprisingly, I ate relatively healthy for a teenage girl before my freshman year of college.
Yes, I had my fair share of donuts and Pringles, but I was lucky enough to come from a household that didn’t invest much money into fast food or microwavable dinners. At the time, I was a pescatarian and a major fan of cooking – there was no need for the convenience of a drive-thru (not like my mom would take me to one even if I begged).
Being a college-aged student was a shock to my dietary system, and while I didn’t gain the so-called “Freshman 15”, I did notice a considerable change in my energy levels, go up a pants size, and realize midway through my first semester I should start taking the stairs at work. However, as a freshman on a meal plan, I quickly came to the realization that eating healthy grew frustratingly difficult.
The university I attended freshman year was well known for its system of meal swipes at locations across campus. Students could purchase meals at various venues such as Cane’s, IHOP, Chick-fil-A, and Panda Express. Cool, right? Sure! Except there was only one place to swipe for a salad unless it was pre-made and came in a box (often with nuts, a no-go for those of us with allergies), excluding the dining hall on the Monroe Park Campus where most undergrads spend their meal time. The next healthiest option was probably Einstein’s, and while I like a good bagel (read: LOVE), you can’t necessarily label a pound of cream cheese as “healthy.”
My friends and I noticed the lack of fresh fruit on campus. Besides the dining hall on the main campus, there just wasn’t anywhere to buy fresh fruit. That is, unless you were willing to make the long trek to the nearest Kroger. Where does this leave the college student on a meal plan?
I can vouch for this. Just about any student can vouch for this. Ramen noodles. Hot Pockets. Other cheap, microwaveable food found at the campus Walmart that fit our mismatched schedules and tight budgets. Now, that may be slightly understandable while living in a dorm and attending school full-time, but why did I find myself eating unhealthy processed food at home when I had the option not to? It was habit, and as we are all told, bad habits are hard to break.
Tips for Healthy Living
1. Establish a routine.
A majority of the reason I found myself eating junk food when I came home was because I accustomed myself to it. I grew out of the routine of cooking my own meals, and even though I had the time, I just didn’t will myself to return to cooking. Cue three minute Ramen made in the microwave. Telling myself I was going to start cooking again was the easiest part. Actually doing it, a bit harder. Staying with it once it became routine? Easier.
2. Take the guesswork out of cooking!
There are plenty of websites offering recipes online. Apps such as Su Chef can be downloaded to your phone. They find recipes according to your available ingredients, so you can skip the grocery store and find use for those two leftover tomatoes in your fridge.
3. Some exercise is better than no exercise!
Maybe you don’t have the time to go to the gym two hours a day. Maybe you don’t have a gym membership at all. But that doesn’t need to stop you from working out! Do what feels best for your body. Find running too hard on the knees? Try swimming. Do sit ups on the floor at home. It takes a foot and a half of space for squats. Even taking the stairs at work can make a small impact, but an impact nonetheless. Try something new when it gets boring. I never thought I would say this in a million years, but I found that I love to run.
4. We all hear this, but drink more water. Seriously.
Nothing like a cold bottle of H20. Your skin and hair will thank you. If you aren’t a fan of the taste of water, add some flavored packets to break it up. Lemonade is one of my favorite drinks. Same goes for sweet tea. Just remember to watch the sugar that can come with those little packets - cavities do happen.
5. Stop saying “I can’t.”
I realize we all tend to make excuses. Blame the teachers, blame the administration, coworkers, bosses, parents, finances, lack of time. But at the end of the day, so much can change just by putting in a little extra effort. That hour we sit on the couch and watch TV? Make tomorrow’s salad while you watch your show instead. Do sit-ups during commercials. Jumping jacks when watching a movie. Learn to coupon if healthy food in your area is too expensive. Take advantage of food drives if you need. There is so much available to students; we just need to learn to use our resources.
