Art by Brooke Muschott
“I haven’t eaten all day.” Do those words sounds familiar?
During my freshman year, and later as a Resident Advisor, I remember hearing this phrase far too often. Girls said it constantly — in the dorms, at the Caf, in class. This statement always blew my mind. I was raised on the principle that three healthy meals a day and/or a snack every two to three hours was the healthiest way to live. My first year of college, I was shocked by how little everyone ate or at least wanted others to think they ate.
Whether it’s due to a hectic schedule or wanting to lose weight, college students can find themselves challenged to eat regularly.
College is one of the most challenging times to eat healthy, according to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Caitlin Schoensiegel.
“College is typically a student’s first time living away from home and it is a time of learning how to feed oneself,” Schoensiegel said. “Prior to coming to college, many students had meals prepared for them on a regular basis and did not have think about what to eat or when to eat.”
On busy days, it’s extremely tempting to skip lunch or dinner when one’s schedule is demanding. Whether you have too much on your plate (no pun intended), or are trying to lose weight, skipping meals is not the answer.
“Similar to the way your car needs gas or electricity at regular intervals, your body needs food on a consistent basis,” she said. “When you don’t provide your body with energy by skipping meals or allowing too much time between meals you may experience low blood sugar.”
NEWSFLASH! You need to eat, and often! If you’re struggling with fatigue, weight gain or staying focused in class, it may be because you’re not eating enough.
So how do you prioritize your diet? What snacks will keep you satisfied? Find out next week!
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Follow Shayla Girardin on Twitter: @Shaylagthatsme