Settling into first semester can be tough, and as you try to adjust to a new schedule, make new friends, and find a new routine, you may find that your typical eating habits have changed. For me personally, I noticed that I had surrounded myself with unhealthy snacks and was choosing unhealthy options in the dining hall. While at home I had access to fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as high-nutrient produce for snacks and meals, at school I’ve found it much harder to eat balanced meals and feel good about what I’m eating. And, I’m sure I’m not alone. However, now that I’ve begun to settle into my first semester, I’ve been working to develop strategies that have helped me feel more confident about my eating choices, and myself as a whole.
Here are 3 strategies I’ve used to eat healthier while on campus:
1. Keeping healthy snacks in my room.
Although at first, it was tempting to surround myself with chips and sweets, I found myself eating an absurd amount of junk food when I was in my dorm. Knowing myself, and my inability to avoid eating yummy food put in front of me, healthy or not, I decided to get rid of my unhealthy snacks and replace them with healthier options. Some examples include seaweed, yogurt, cheese, raspberries, and avocado.
2. Avoiding eating late at night.
As I tried to adjust to the “work hard, play hard” campus environment, I found myself busy during mealtimes and eating at impractical times of the day, especially late at night. Personally, whenever I eat too late, I feel terrible in the morning, and I also end up eating the most accessible foods, which are oftentimes unhealthy. To mitigate this, I began to schedule time to do work more explicitly, opening up availability to eat at normal mealtimes.
3. Finding healthy options in the dining hall.
Now that we can use Grubhub to order food from the various dining places on campus, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when I’m trying to find something to eat. However, the dining halls do offer many healthy options. For example, the “Sally” salad machines in Ursa and BD let you make your own salad, and you can also make one on Grubhub through Cherry Tree. Also, when I eat something like pasta or stir fry as my main course, I also make sure to order side salads or vegetables from The Grill in BD or The 1853 Diner in the DUC. Cafe Bergson also has great smoothies for a mid-afternoon snack!
These strategies have helped me develop an eating routine that makes me feel confident and healthy, but this doesn’t mean it’s the right routine for you, and it doesn’t mean I stick to this routine 24/7. Of course, I indulge some nights, especially if I go out to eat or need a sweet pick-me-up, but having strategies in place for when I find myself falling out of routine helps me find a strong equilibrium. Although I hope this helps you if you’re struggling to find a good balance when it comes to eating on campus, remember the importance of developing a healthy relationship with food.