Life as an Emory freshman can certainly be hectic. We run to the library, the gym, class, or a social event without putting much thought into taking care of our bodies. Understandably, we always look for fast, cheap food options. Unfortunately, I quickly learned that DUC salads get nauseating after a certain point. As a relatively healthy student-athlete, I place emphasis on taking care of my body. I can only consume so many Domino’s orders without feeling my intestines deteriorating. Consequently, this past semester, I forced myself to learn a thing or two about eating wisely on a budget. Of my many discoveries, I found that, just because Domino’s delivers in under twenty minutes and accepts Dooley Dollars, doesn’t mean it’s the best option. I did my research, tried new things, and developed a healthy routine - three actions any college student may capably perform.
We are constantly glued to our computers and smartphones, making eating well and saving money easier than ever. Take advantage of technology to learn about food and receive discounts or coupons. Most dormitories come with communal kitchens. Look up healthy, easy, and cheap recipes on one of the endless websites available. Cook with friends or host a potluck to make dinner a cheap and fun activity. Download apps such as MyFitnessPal. Even if losing weight isn’t a goal, it never hurts to know the calories or ingredients entering your body. Download apps like OpenTable and Woblet to save as you reserve and spend at restaurants and supermarkets. Find stores with the best deals, but quality goods. Kroger generally carries quality products and even contains a separate organic section. They also make saving money easy with constant deals for those with membership cards. Find an older friend to drive you or split a cab fare with a few friends. For lazy students that don’t leave campus, each Tuesday local producers come to campus for a Farmer’s Market, where you may find healthy, organic snacks to keep in the dorm room. If you want to explore restaurants off campus, join sites such as Groupon for free. Even expensive restaurants offer coupons and discounts. They know not everyone can afford their products, especially college students, and still want to sell or serve to you. All resources are at your fingertips, it’s just a matter of taking advantage of them.
I discovered some truth to the cliché idea that we come to college to experience new things. I’m roommates with a health fanatic who recently proclaimed her non-medically related gluten-free diet. She unintentionally instilled the “carbs as the greatest enemy” mindset within me. When I first moved in with her, I ate extremely healthy for the most part. Since childhood, I always enjoyed fruits and vegetables, so I didn’t find much difficulty in this diet, however, I would splurge whenever around junk food. You can only eat so many fruits and vegetables and they may only keep you full for so long. I created a vicious cycle of inconsistent healthiness and unhealthiness. This highlighted the difference in amount of willpower between my roommate and me. True, we shouldn’t consider bagels a staple of our diet, but I know I definitely could not live without the occasional one. Besides, your body needs the whole grains you may only get from such carbs. Shape your diet around balance: don’t eat too much or too little of anything. Although I don’t necessarily agree with her nutrition values, they work for her. She did, however, expose me to my love for fish, which I did not entirely realized until recently. Ultimately, you must to find a plan that works for you.
Despite everyone’s differences regarding diet restrictions and needs, a few tips I found may apply to practically all. Never underestimate the importance of breakfast. It gives you energy to start your day and gets your metabolism going. Try a yogurt/fruit/granola combination, giving you a great variety of protein, fiber, dairy and energy. Never miss meals. If the day ahead of you looks busy, plan by carrying healthy snacks to keep your body going. Trail mix may serve as a perfect snack, but try to avoid the sugary, processed vending machine mixes. Try even making your own mix with dried fruit and non-sugar-coated granola. Another filling, healthy snack a banana or apple with peanut butter. Find meals substantial enough to fill you up, but light enough to not weigh you down for the rest of the day ahead. Salads with substance like chicken and nuts may serve as a good lunch. Plan splurge meals or snacks in advance in order to prevent eating food conveniently around you. Don’t eat too close to bedtime or it will sit in your stomach. Stop eating when you’re full. Just because something seems unhealthy, does not mean it tastes better than a healthier substitute. Naturally, we always want what we can’t have. Since we know something may be bad for us, it automatically makes us want it more. Next time you consume something you feel guilty eating, really think about whether or not you truly enjoy it as much as you think you do. Conversely, try and defy the idea that healthy food can’t taste good.
Explore your options and expand your palate. Luckily, I enjoy healthier food, but not everyone carries this beneficial characteristic. My pickiest friends, who ate only off the kids’ menu, now share sashimi, kale, and quinoa with me. Know your body and take care of it, but know yourself don’t forget about what makes you happy. I know I must always eat something sweet after dinner. In my desires for both health and satisfaction, I discovered the major health difference between dark and milk chocolate. Backroads always exist, you simply must look hard enough for them. Live a healthy lifestyle, explore your surroundings, and try new things, but never feel guilty for indulging every once in a while.
We are constantly glued to our computers and smartphones, making eating well and saving money easier than ever. Take advantage of technology to learn about food and receive discounts or coupons. Most dormitories come with communal kitchens. Look up healthy, easy, and cheap recipes on one of the endless websites available. Cook with friends or host a potluck to make dinner a cheap and fun activity. Download apps such as MyFitnessPal. Even if losing weight isn’t a goal, it never hurts to know the calories or ingredients entering your body. Download apps like OpenTable and Woblet to save as you reserve and spend at restaurants and supermarkets. Find stores with the best deals, but quality goods. Kroger generally carries quality products and even contains a separate organic section. They also make saving money easy with constant deals for those with membership cards. Find an older friend to drive you or split a cab fare with a few friends. For lazy students that don’t leave campus, each Tuesday local producers come to campus for a Farmer’s Market, where you may find healthy, organic snacks to keep in the dorm room. If you want to explore restaurants off campus, join sites such as Groupon for free. Even expensive restaurants offer coupons and discounts. They know not everyone can afford their products, especially college students, and still want to sell or serve to you. All resources are at your fingertips, it’s just a matter of taking advantage of them.
I discovered some truth to the cliché idea that we come to college to experience new things. I’m roommates with a health fanatic who recently proclaimed her non-medically related gluten-free diet. She unintentionally instilled the “carbs as the greatest enemy” mindset within me. When I first moved in with her, I ate extremely healthy for the most part. Since childhood, I always enjoyed fruits and vegetables, so I didn’t find much difficulty in this diet, however, I would splurge whenever around junk food. You can only eat so many fruits and vegetables and they may only keep you full for so long. I created a vicious cycle of inconsistent healthiness and unhealthiness. This highlighted the difference in amount of willpower between my roommate and me. True, we shouldn’t consider bagels a staple of our diet, but I know I definitely could not live without the occasional one. Besides, your body needs the whole grains you may only get from such carbs. Shape your diet around balance: don’t eat too much or too little of anything. Although I don’t necessarily agree with her nutrition values, they work for her. She did, however, expose me to my love for fish, which I did not entirely realized until recently. Ultimately, you must to find a plan that works for you.
Despite everyone’s differences regarding diet restrictions and needs, a few tips I found may apply to practically all. Never underestimate the importance of breakfast. It gives you energy to start your day and gets your metabolism going. Try a yogurt/fruit/granola combination, giving you a great variety of protein, fiber, dairy and energy. Never miss meals. If the day ahead of you looks busy, plan by carrying healthy snacks to keep your body going. Trail mix may serve as a perfect snack, but try to avoid the sugary, processed vending machine mixes. Try even making your own mix with dried fruit and non-sugar-coated granola. Another filling, healthy snack a banana or apple with peanut butter. Find meals substantial enough to fill you up, but light enough to not weigh you down for the rest of the day ahead. Salads with substance like chicken and nuts may serve as a good lunch. Plan splurge meals or snacks in advance in order to prevent eating food conveniently around you. Don’t eat too close to bedtime or it will sit in your stomach. Stop eating when you’re full. Just because something seems unhealthy, does not mean it tastes better than a healthier substitute. Naturally, we always want what we can’t have. Since we know something may be bad for us, it automatically makes us want it more. Next time you consume something you feel guilty eating, really think about whether or not you truly enjoy it as much as you think you do. Conversely, try and defy the idea that healthy food can’t taste good.
Explore your options and expand your palate. Luckily, I enjoy healthier food, but not everyone carries this beneficial characteristic. My pickiest friends, who ate only off the kids’ menu, now share sashimi, kale, and quinoa with me. Know your body and take care of it, but know yourself don’t forget about what makes you happy. I know I must always eat something sweet after dinner. In my desires for both health and satisfaction, I discovered the major health difference between dark and milk chocolate. Backroads always exist, you simply must look hard enough for them. Live a healthy lifestyle, explore your surroundings, and try new things, but never feel guilty for indulging every once in a while.