Healthy eating, student living, and meal ideas – The Medium

As students with busy schedules, eating well-proportioned meals is not often prioritized. Studies show that many Canadians in postsecondary education develop “maladaptive” dietary choices. While it is tempting to order your favorite “Mickey D’s” dish on UberEats and get it delivered within minutes, implementing some healthier meal options within your week can lead to both academic and bodily benefits. 

Ordering from fast food restaurants should not be shamed; everyone does it. But, making time in your week for some healthier meals gives your body more energy, aids in cognitive functions, and leads to an overall healthier lifestyle. 

Although I am not a food expert or nutritionist, here are a few things that I do and meals that I enjoy that help balance my diet.

Eat Breakfast: As students, most of us have been in positions where we must choose between eating breakfast or being on time for class, and we often choose the latter. 

But eating breakfast helps with energy intake and cognition. In a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine, researchers found that eating breakfast is linked to greater academic performance. 

There are many simple breakfast foods that work well with time-sensitive schedules. These include toast with avocado, oatmeal, berries, bananas with peanut butter, granola and yogurt, and trail mix. Foods high in fiber and protein are best in the morning, giving you the boost of energy you need to start the day. 

Avoid Eating Before Bed: Many experts suggest that you should finish your last meal around three to four hours before going to bed. As Covid-19 has altered most of our schedules, this has become difficult for many students. A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, suggests that isolation brought on by Covid-19 has led to a significant worsening of a typical university student’s eating habits, including eating late at night. 

As everyone’s schedules continuously adjust, making a well-balanced dinner is not often on the forefront of our minds. Personally, I sometimes prefer to enjoy a few snacks throughout the day and sustain myself for a meal at around 7 p.m. Some of my favorite dinner meals include chicken and rice, mini naan pizzas, baked salmon, roasted cauliflower with cheese, chicken burritos, and spaghetti squash pasta with pesto or tomato sauce. 

Whatever your schedule looks like, it is important to leave yourself with enough time to digest.

Have Snacks: Many associate snacking with the unnecessary intake of food or with eating due to boredom. According to Healthline Media, “research shows that certain foods may be especially important for brain health and promoting mental performance.” Such foods include berries, dark chocolate, nuts, eggs, avocados, and citrus fruits—all super …….

Source: https://themedium.ca/healthy-eating-student-living-and-meal-ideas/