For college students, like myself, it is extremely difficult to keep up with everything between class, work, clubs, and having a social life.  I occasionally find myself falling victim to eating fast food when I am extremely busy or stressed out over school. This past year, I have become much more mindful on the things I have been putting into my body.  If you’re not mindful about your diet, it can be very easy to gain weight. Additionally, it is important to keep up on your own health and wellness especially with finals right around the corner. This week we will be giving some tips on maintaining healthy eating habits while on Rowan University’s main campus.

Research the Food

This tip was previously mentioned over on our Profs Plate Facebook.  This page was created through Gourmet Dining to show the food options offered on campus.  On this website, https://www.dineoncampus.com/rowan/whats-on-the-menu, you can find what is on the menu for the day on Rowan University’s main campus.  On the menu, it lists each food vendor at the Market Place along with the meal options at the Holly Pointe Caf.  Next to certain food items are symbols that represent food that has balanced nutrients & portion size (balanced), vegan menu options that are free of all animal-based ingredients and by-products, and food that doesn’t contain solid meat but may contain eggs or dairy (vegetarian).  Along with the symbols, calorie counts and portion sizes are listed next to the meals. This is a perfect resource to determine what you want to eat along with being mindful of healthy meal options.

Drink Water

While this tip is a simple one, it is easy to choose the caffeinated, sugary drinks over water.  While there are a variety of Pepsi products offered on campus, water is always your friend. It is commonly recommended to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water daily.  While the sugar and caffeine will keep you going throughout the day to work on various assignments, this can lead to weight gain and other negative health effects. Nobody wants to experience the freshman fifteen, so it is best to moderate your intake of soft drinks and coffee.

Substitute the Cookie for Fruit

While we can all say that we love the cookies from Jersey Mike’s, it isn’t as nutritious as the apple and banana option.  Grabbing a piece of fruit instead is a great snack to have for later in between classes. Having a healthy snack with you eliminates stopping at Ro-Go or any of the other snack places for an alternative.  Also, eating fruit will sustain your energy longer throughout the day and have you feeling fuller than choosing to eat a cookie.

Even making small changes to your diet can be beneficial for your well being.  A key to leading a healthy lifestyle is to eat and drink things in moderation. Do you have any tips for other fellow students?  Share your experiences on ways to eat healthy in college. These thoughts can be submitted here in the comment box below!