Eating Made Simple

While there are so many diets popularized by social media such as intermittent fasting or the Keto diet. I feel keeping it simple is best. Forming unrealistic expectations puts strain on your emotional state as well as your body and minds ability to function. So I have 5 simple rules to live by.

1. Learn proper portion size!
It’s incredible how often we manage to eat out as college students, and in the grand scheme of it all we shouldn’t fell like we can afford it, there is always something better we can use our limited funds towards. The food portions we tend to receive when we eat out tend to be far out of the realm of the amount we should be putting into our bodies. In fact some restraunts feature portion sizes that can be as much as 6 times the recommended portion value. (I’m calling out all the AYCE sushi eaters, myself included)

2. Eat on a schedule!
We can all be overwhelmed at times due to our course work and potentially the jobs we all carry outside of school. It’s so easy to lose track of time and burn out. To remedy this, set your meals on a schedule, eat on your way out the door before you get to class. Pack a sandwich with you and take a lunch break to eat it. This not only allows you a cool down period to unwind from the ever moving atmosphere, but also gives your body and mind the fuel it needs to thrive and produce your best results.

3. Drink more water!
From Starbucks to gas station energy drinks there is a large amount of drinks we reach for throughout the day. Not only do these options tend to come at a higher price, but they also introduce a large amount of liquid calories into our system that weigh us down and puts us at risk of burning out on sugars and caffeine. Focusing on water will not only save you on your pocketbook but will eliminate the large amount of liquid calories its so easy to subject ourselves to.

4. Cut back on the junk food!
We’re all on the move, so it makes sense that junk food may seem like a necessary burden. It’s everywhere from the student union restraunts or the vending machines we run into 30 seconds before class starts. However, more often then not the food your consuming leaves little to be desired and holds almost no nutritional value. Preparing your own snacks and lunches in your dorm room, apartment, or home, will not only give you more control over the nutritional value of your food but will also cut back on the frivolous spending when you’re in a rush.

5. Enjoy yourself!
In moderation of course. We are not machines. We do not succeed with many of the specialty diets due to the lack of variety or the lack of access to the goods that fit the diet plan. If you hold yourself to unreasonable standards you’re more likely to give up on having a plan entirely. We are in a very special time of our lives. Some of these moments will merit cause for celebration. So going forward follow the rules, enjoy yourselves, just use your best judgement.