As school is about to resume once again, it’s time for students to get ready for another rigorous year. This the time of the year when both students and parents start stocking up on school supplies and other essential items, such as toiletries and medicines like those for cough and cold. For most people, college is one of the most fun, challenging, and unforgettable stage of their lives. Demands from college students are much greater than in grade school and high school to help prepare them for employment, to the point that they place their health in the backseat.
School is important, but health is much more valuable. Being pressed for time is not an excuse to forgo regular exercise and having a balanced diet. It’s simply not enough to rely on cup noodles on a day-to-day basis! Bearing in mind that college students have limited time and budget, here’s a quick guide that covers your three meals in a day.
Breakfast
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and indeed it is. Picking the right food for breakfast would give you that much-needed energy boost that would help you start your day right. While it’s common for college students to skip their breakfasts, this is an unhealthy habit! You think you’re saving time when in fact, it makes you sluggish and makes you vulnerable to sickness. Getting sick means you'll have to skip out on your regular activity for at least a couple of days!
Having breakfast in the morning improves your concentration and focus during the day as well. Ideal foods in the morning that’s very easy to prepare are:
- Cereal and milk, plus fruits
- Quick-cook oatmeal with nuts or fruits
- Sandwich with meat and vegetables (lettuce and tomatoes)
- Peanut butter sandwich
- Tuna and rice
Lunch
A hefty and healthy lunch helps prevent those unwanted energy drop in the afternoon, which could lead to one becoming unproductive. Here are some nice meal suggestions for you to eat during lunch hours.
- Chicken breast
- Fried eggs
- Dried fruits
- Salads with leafy vegetables
- Fresh noodle soup and vegetables
Dinner
The wonderful thing about dinner is that it’s a time when you can relax a little more and actually enjoy the food after a tiring day. But unlike breakfast and lunch, eating light meals is the key here, as you would only need the right amount of energy and nutrients that can help you last during a study session during the night. Any more and you might become sleepy, and falling asleep while full can lead to nightmares and indigestion.
Here are some good dinner suggestions that should give you just enough energy for studying before sleeping.
- Salmon
- Tofu
- Hummus and crackers
- Yogurt
Junk food may taste delicious, but they’re not good for your health. Think of maintaining a healthy diet as an investment in yourself rather than a hassle! Junk food may be easy to prepare, delicious to eat, and may give you a temporary sugar rush, but this will only slow you down in the long run. Turn to healthier alternatives to keep you going throughout the school year!