It is hard to eat healthy when you are studying. Parties, relationships, going out, associations, meetings, and of course the occasional class all keep you from having time to do important things like eat well and take care of yourself. There are some things, however, that you can do to try and at least be kind to your body. Just remember though, there is no quick fix. Being healthy is not something that you just do overnight. It is a lifestyle. Every day you have to find it in yourself to continue on the path that you set out upon. You have to always remind yourself of why you are doing this. If you mess up, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just pick yourself up and dust yourself off. So, whether it involves choosing your ingredients or timing your meals, today you are going to learn some great tips about how to keep yourself healthy even when you are under stress. And remember, although this list is geared towards students, anybody who is busy can benefit from these tricks. So even if you are a businessman or a lawyer and you have very little time to focus on your diet, it’s ok, you’re in the right spot. These are 25 awesome and useful tips to help busy students eat healthier.
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Don’t focus on what you shouldn’t eat, but rather on what you should eat
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Although it goes without saying that you should reduce processed foods, try to focus more on adding fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious elements to your diet.
Stock up on (healthy) snacks
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Snacking is good, if you do it right. It’s always better to eat less food more often than just gorge yourself once a day. Make sure you snack healthy though (carrots, nuts, etc)
Make sure to put some protein in all of your meals
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Besides being good for you, it keeps you satiated for longer. And yes, this advice applies for vegans as well.
Add vegetables first
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If you’re in a buffet or dining hall, always stock up your plate with veggies first. Then go back and add protein, starch, etc.
Fill half your plate with green
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If you are cooking at home (but once again this applies at buffets as well), try to fill half of your plate with greens and the other half with protein/starch.
Cut out the sugar from your drinks
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Many of the empty calories we consume come from sugary drinks. Try to dilute them with water so you can gradually ween yourself off of them.
Eat peanut butter
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Even if it’s just with a spoon, peanut butter is a quick way to get some protein and fats. Just try to choose the ones that are low in sugar.
Choose cereals wisely
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Whole grains and less than 10 grams of sugar per serving should be your goal.
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables
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If you are concerned about fruits and veggies going bad, just buy them frozen.
Stir fry is your friend
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Vegetables, rice, chili sauce, microwave, done.
Add to your ramen
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By itself ramen doesn’t offer much nutritional value, but it is certainly quick to make. Just add some protein or spices and turn it into something healthier.
Cook once, eat multiple times
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The key to this is tupperware. Cook some chicken and rice and then store it in the fridge for the next few days. It will also keep you from eating everything right away.
Buy whole grains
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This goes without saying. If you have a choice, whole grains are always more nutritious.
Pack your own lunch
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Eating out is almost always more expensive and less healthy. If you pack your own food you can control what and how much you eat.
Boil eggs
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Every Sunday just hard boil a bunch of eggs and keep them in the fridge. They’re a great snack to have during the week.
Make your own coffee or tea
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Rather than buying over-sugared and over-priced drinks from Starbucks just make your own.
Eat before going to events
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Or at least snack, especially if you know there’s going to be free pizza.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
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If you don’t always meet your own expectations you shouldn’t get depressed. Pick yourself up and just try again.
Choose healthy foods that you like
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If you hate broccoli, that’s ok. Just try to find some healthy vegetables and other foods that you do enjoy. Try to build your meals around that.
Don’t let your business dictate your meals
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This is where those boiled eggs and snacks come in handy. If you’re hungry you should eat something (healthy). Beyond that, try your best to stick to your meal times in spite of your schedule. If you’ve been snacking during the day you won’t be as hungry anyway.
Keep granola bars handy
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Your hunger is your worst enemy. As we said, healthy snacking is key. To do this, granola bars are your best friend. Of course, try to find healthier granola bars (whole ingredients, protein, fiber, no sugar)
Eat beans and whole grain rice
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If you need a quick and healthy meal, this is a great way to go and it will keep you full.
Eat salads that you like
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That’s right, fill that baby up with greens you enjoy and then top it off with protein. Make sure to use clear dressings that are oil or vinegar based.
Half your plate at restaurants
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If you live in the US this is must. You probably don’t realize it but you eat more than you need to. Restaurant portions are grossly oversized. Whenever you order anything (even a salad), immediately get a to-go box and put half of the meal in it to eat later.
Carry a water bottle
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First of all, this will keep you hydrated, and second of all, it will prevent you from indulging on sugary drinks.
