5 Quick Nutrition Tips for College Students

This March, we're celebrating how food connects us through traditions, culture, and communities to make intentional choices about eating to sustain our overall well-being as a part of National Nutrition Month. 

Nutrition is often difficult for college students to prioritize. In a time of our lives where we have so many educational, social, and job-related obligations basic needs, like nutrition, can easily fall by the wayside. Though nutrition can feel like a complex topic, simply put, nutrition is a combination of practices we can do to nourish and take care of our body including how we consume drink and food.

One way food connects us as college students is through spending time and socializing with friends, roommates, or family. Here are some basic tips for college students who want to focus on improving their nutrition!

iconDrink Water

Many people forget that nutrition is not just food but includes water as well. 

One way I make sure I drink enough water is by setting a goal of how many water bottles I want to finish in a day. This is especially important in Utah as we live at an elevated altitude with an arid climate.

At higher altitudes, it is harder for your body to breathe and perform other simple functions which causes our bodies to burn through water quicker and need more to stay hydrated.

On average, we need to drink between six to eight glasses of water a day - and we can also eat water-dense foods to achieve this goal! Being hydrated can greatly impact your emotional regulation and impact energy levels and risk of headaches.

 

iconMeal Prep

Many college students have very busy schedules and finding time to make yourself a meal can be hard. One way to help yourself prepare for the week is to find a time that works for you and make a bunch of food once during the week so that when you have busy days you already have meals ready to go to fuel you throughout the week. 

I find something that works well for me is making a list of meals I know I like and then looking and choosing from it each week before I prep my food. 

Another way to make meal prep enjoyable is to make it an opportunity for connection! Invite your roommates, friends, or family to join you for a burrito-making night, or explore a new recipe together and split the grocery cost together! 

Dedicating time to meal prep is also a great way to reduce food waste. Did you know that the average American throws away 30% of the food they purchase? Planning balanced meals can improve both your physical wellness and your financial wellness.

 

iconEat Breakfast

I find that eating breakfast in the morning can be very hard, especially when I have early classes. Finding the motivation to get out of bed a little bit earlier so I have time to eat before class often feels pointless to me.

However, I always find that when I do eat something in the morning it always sets me up for more success throughout the day.

iconBring Snacks

Days in college can often feel jam-packed with school, work, and social activities, and sometimes the days can go differently than we may imagine. This is why I find it helpful for me to always pack a snack in case I end up being away from home longer than I planned. This way, I never go through the day without being able to eat! I find this significantly helps my energy throughout the day.

iconFind Balance

Nutrition is an important part of our lives to ensure we are healthy and properly fueled for all the responsibilities we have as students. However, it is also important to find balance and a routine that works and feels best for us as individuals.  

If the topic of nutrition interests you as it does for me, but you feel you may want some more guidance, the Center for Campus Wellness has an amazing team of Wellness Coaches, who provide free professional support to help you achieve the balanced diet needed to achieve your goals in the classroom and beyond!