College Student Health Guide: How to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

If you're a college student like me, then you know the woes of inhaling a quick and unhealthy meal just so you can get to class, a study group, or sleep on time. Eating junk food just seems to be part of the college norm and for many students it's often a source of comfort when we're stressed. The only problem is that junk food is our worst enemy, because really, running to class when you're ten minutes late is not a day's worth of exercise. The best way to stay healthy during your college years is to eat better, which means definitely eating more fruits and vegetables. While this can sometimes seem impossible, there are definitely ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your college diet. Just check out these easy tips!

Set a Meal Schedule

I know all too well about eating at the most random hours of the day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can pretty much occur at any time and in any order. However, I found that once I set a schedule for my meals I actually ate a lot healthier. The best way to do this is to wake up a little early for breakfast, make sure you make time for lunch, and don't skip out on dinner, even when you have a 7PM study group across campus. By penciling in meals, you'll have more time to dine. I found that when I wasn't pressed for time, I ate better and almost always got my recommended servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Bring a Snack to Class

Unlike high school where it's practically forbidden to chew gum, let alone eat, in class, many college professors are understanding to the fact that students are very busy. Many of my college professors are okay with students bringing food to class, as long as it's not messy or distracting. This would actually be a great time to bring some fruits or veggies to class. My favorite in class snack is cucumbers and sliced up banana. Banana can get a little messy if you're taking notes, but if it's a movie day or you have a napkin or fork with you, it's a great way to eat better as a college student.

Buy Some Groceries

Most college students have some sort of meal plan than allows them to purchase items or meals at the cafeteria. You should absolutely utilize this service if you have it, especially since most colleges require you to pay before hand. However, some college students avoid fruit and vegetables at the cafeteria because they're often canned produce. While I will eat canned fruits and vegetables, I really prefer the taste of fresh produce. This is why I go to the store every week and spend about $10 to $15 on fruit and vegetables. This way I can get the produce I want and have it on hand in my dorm room at any time.

Good Balance

While some people may preach about only eating healthy fruits and vegetables, it's just not practical at college. Junk food is just part of college life, but it should be eaten in moderation. For every piece of junk food you have, try eating a vegetable or fruit. Maybe create like a reward system for yourself too. If you get all your recommended servings of fruit and vegetables, try having a single serving of your favorite icecream, or a slice of pizza. It works well and it will help you incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet as a college student.