College Eating Habits

Bonjour!

I’m a sophomore in college studying exercise science and nutrition. It is very interesting to observe other students eating/ physical activities during college and especially during FINALS week.  Most students:

-       Eat late at night (In nutrition its called the 4^th meal)

-       Snack on empty calories in their dorm room (food with no nutritional value)

-       Over eat when stressed out

-       Starve themselves

-       Function on coffee and little sleep

Every one has heard of the freshman 15, right? The unnecessary weight gain, from eating too much or drinking to many empty calories. I fell victim to the freshman15, or sophomore 15 I should say.  This was my first year in a dorm, and I actually tried really hard with my eating habits, in the caf I ate salads, and wraps. I avoided greasy foods, but I snacked like mad in my room, doing homework and late at night. My roommate and I bonded over late night sonic trips. I always felt guilty because I knew how bad all my habits were for my body.  I hate to admit it, but I am a hypocrite.  That is going to change this summer. I hate the way I feel when my eating habits suck, and I lack physical activity.

 THE 4^th MAIN MEAL

My nutrition teacher calls late night taco bell runs, the 4^th meal.  We eat breakfast (well… most skip it which is really unhealthy, because breakfast revs up your metabolism SO EAT IT :p), lunch, dinner… snacks.. then at midnight fast food runs. Horrible. Eating late at night, throws your body for a loop and it messes with your digestion.  You should really try not to eat past 7pm, but if you have to, try eating fruits or vegetables, not carbs or sugary foods.

SNACK ON EMPTY CALORIES

Empty Calories, are foods with little or no nutritional value. (example: Soda, candy bars, alcohol etc.) Be very careful, you want to enjoy your calories not waste it on sodas or fruit juices (high in sugar).  Drink as much water as you can, your body needs to stay hydrated, water increases your metabolism. If you are constantly dehydrated, you gain 8lbs or more in a year. SO STAY HYDRATED!! ( buy a water bottle, and keep it with you throughout the day! )… you will never see me without my water bottle!

OVER EAT/ UNDER EAT WHEN STRESSED

If you are like me this is something you struggle with! I am in the process of training my body not to get comfort from food. I have had a problem with this ever since I was little.  Some tricks—Don’t mindlessly eat when watching television,  Don’t treat yourself with food ( you are not a dog),  chew slowly, don’t inhale your food and wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds! (20 minutes is as long as it takes for your tummy to tell your brain you are full!)

Those are all tricks for over eating. Now on to under eating… I’ve observed/ and I’m guilty as well…When some girls are stressed about the way they look they look, they turn to not eating a lot, which leads to binge eating (over eating).  This is really bad for your body, and does the opposite effect of which you desire. Your body goes into starvation mode and holds on to fat! You don’t want that! >.< Drink plenty of water and try and eat 5 small healthy meals a day! (No need to over eat, or starve yourself!)

COFFEE and LITTLE SLEEP

Coffee is definitely delish! ( I know, I had 4 cups this morning!). Many college students live on coffee and energy drinks and NO sleep. This is really bad for your body, especially your noggin. Your brain NEEDS sleep to hold the information you are studying.  Quit the energy drinks, if you feed your body the nutrients it needs you will have natural energy! I know it’s hard though… But I promise if you try, you will see what I mean and LOVE IT!

Those are just a few of the eating patterns I’ve observed and am guilty of as well! It is hard in college, but it IS possible! It is hard to change habits but I just want you to be AWARE of it and at least try. Your body will thank you!

Thanks for reading!

Anna