March is National Nutrition Month. College students joke about how they are on an all-Ramen diet and how pizza is life, but most of us are required to take some sort of health and nutrition class to graduate high school, and then again to graduate from college.
What’s the point? Why does nutrition matter, especially to college students who don’t have the time and money to care?
Everyone says,”I’ll care about nutrition once I graduate…I’ll care about my nutrition when I get a career…I’ll care about nutrition when I have the money.”
Nutrition and proper diet have been linked to less stress and better concentration, which are key characteristics for student success. Such a valuable aspect of health can only be pushed aside for so long.
Bethany Wheeler, our campus dietitian, explained to me how someone who is on a budget of time and money can get proper nutrition. She explained the concept of intuitive eating.
She explained that we tend to listen to external sources to tell us if we are hungry, but we should listen to our own bodies to see if we need the food. “What you eat will affect how you feel,”she said.
That was when I started thinking about food as what it should be; nourishment for the body. You should think about what food will do to you; the potential benefits and the potential negative effects. It is not recommended that you strictly hold yourself to your diet plan; it’s okay to splurge here and there. However, look at the big picture of your own self-worth. You are worth taking the time to cook rather than going to the drive-thru.
A great tip to getting proper nutrition is to cook meals at home so you know what is going into your food. This may not be the popular choice among all college students since everyone is always on the go, and fast food and convenience stores are, well, fast and convenient.
However, you do not have to cook every day. You can cook in bulk to save time. Pick one or two days of the week during which you have more time. Cook on those days, and make sure to cook enough for the rest of the week. Place the food in labeled containers, put them in the refrigerator or freezer, and you’re set for the week!
Some students argue that it is not time but rather money that is an issue. Why spend more money on healthy food? Well, some students are under the false assumption that organic fruits and vegetables are healthier, which is not always the case.
You may also find that not all protein has to come from meat; there are plenty of vegetarian protein options such as beans and tofu which are packed with protein and are generally cheaper than meat. You can also go for canned and frozen vegetables and fruits to save money, since they are almost the same in nutritional content as compared to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Another approach that Wheeler explained to me is the multidisciplinary approach — using sources and people of all backgrounds in their own expertise to help bring you to better health.
This means not just talking to your doctor about what you should be eating and how much exercise you should be getting, but also reaching out to your dietitian for diet advice and your personal trainer on exercise advice.
Kennesaw State University offers all sorts of health resources, including the campus clinic, the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness, and the Student Recreation and Activities Center. You pay the health fee, so might as well get your money’s worth! Reach out the campus resources since they are credible and there to serve you.
However, do not go to a dietitian asking for exercise advice and then go to your personal trainer asking for a diet plan; let them practice within their scope of expertise!
Other credible sources that you can use include Harvard Health, which has its own “Healthy Eating Plate” which is backed by Harvard’s own research and experienced staff.
It’s your body. Don’t just do a google search of how to help yourself. The resources are available to customize your own diet and nutrition plan that is best fit for you, so use them to take care of yourself.
