Tips for Healthy Eating

 

Whether you are new to campus or a returning student, starting school may bring lots of changes to your daily routine, from your sleeping habits to your eating habits.  Start the year off right by keeping in mind a few key ideas when it comes to maintaining a healthy eating style:  balance, variety, and moderation.

 Balance – it can be tempting, especially at the dining halls where food is all-you-can-eat, to go overboard and overeat, or eat too much of something that may be high in fat, salt, or sugars.  Try to balance your meals by selecting fresh fruits and veggies to ensure you are getting in those healthy options.  Go for low fat dairy products, leaner meats, and fewer fried foods.  Be aware that drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, like fancy coffees or sports drinks, can sometimes add on a lot of calories but provide little nutritive value. 

 

 Variety – there’s a lot of different foods available on campus, from classic hamburgers to vegetarian options to ethnic cuisine.  Don’t be afraid to try something new!  Mix it up – don’t get stuck in a rut of always eating the same sandwich every day for lunch.  By increasing the variety in your diet, especially when it comes to fruits, vegetables, and grains, you’ll be increasing the variety of nutrients you are taking in as well.

Moderation – go ahead and enjoy foods like French fries, pizza, soda, etc… but in moderation.  That means instead of eating pizza multiple nights of the week, try to just have it once on the weekend.  If you tend to get fries or chips with your burgers or sandwiches, make an effort to switch it out a few times with a side salad or some veggie sticks.  If sweets are your weakness, treat yourself to that brownie for dessert, but how about splitting it with a friend?  Small changes can add up, and this way you won’t feel deprived or like you are dieting.  A “healthy diet” does not necessarily mean being “on a diet” or restricting foods so much that it’s potentially dangerous.   It just means making small changes in eating habits that can lead to better overall health.  

                                            

Start the school year out right – by trying different or new foods, eating a variety of foods that include plenty of healthy choices, and enjoying the foods you love but within reason.  A healthy diet along with physical activity and enough sleep can help give you the energy you need to get through the day and be successful in your academic work!

The MyPlate guideline serves as a simple, visual reminder to make healthier choices by filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, about ¼ of the plate with a protein choice (which can include seafood and vegetable-based proteins, as well as poultry and meats), and the remainder with a grain choice (preferably whole grain), and choosing low-fat dairy or dairy substitutes.  For more information on balanced eating using MyPlate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov .