For those who have kids in college, by now they should be set up and into their class schedules. If it is their first time away, one of the things you may not have thought about with everything that had to be done is their diet. You probably assume that the food they will eat in the cafeteria is highly nutritious, and all those things you told them about proper diet they will follow perfectly. You will likely be wrong on both counts.
There are a few healthy options in the cafeteria, but most is designed to make students fed and happy, without too much concern for nutrition. Then after-hours in the dorm it only gets worse, with pizza, chips and soda the standard fare. It is no wonder that college students in their first two years gain an average of 3-10 pounds, and it probably isn't good weight. Add in anxiety and stress and not enough exercise, and it makes diet planning even more important.
The biggest issue students have to deal with is time management, and with the newfound freedom most are experiencing, watching the diet is way down the list as to the most important things to think about in their lives. Getting to class, doing assignments and study for tests, hooters catering and then of course there are the all-important parties and social life are much more important than the mundane subject of proper diet. But it can turn out to be very important, as not only weight gain but susceptibility to disease will also factor in.
The first thing we can do is stress to your young student how important eating a proper diet is. If you have prepared for this eventuality by stressing it throughout their lives as to importance of healthy options, they may see it as a way of life and look for those options when they are on their own. This will put them ahead of those that are less knowledgeable, but of course there are no guarantees of them following this.
Another option is the so-called "care packages". You can send them healthy food that you know they will like, and by doing this on a regular basis you can eliminate a lot of the dorm-room junk food. Many colleges offer packages that they will put together and deliver to the students for a price, but check them out. Usually they are laden with unhealthy snack food that is no more nutritious than what they get on their own.
One other option you might not have thought of is meal delivery plans. These are healthy prepared meals delivered to the student's door, and all they have to do is store and easily prepare them. Probably all college dorm rooms would, or could be equipped to take care of the preparation requirements. Plus if your child has any special dietary needs, such as vegetarian or low-sodium, they can accommodate those requirements. It may be the answer to making certain your student is getting their nutritional needs met.
It is sometimes challenging, but not impossible to eat healthy when a person is away at college. It is, however, more important than he or she realizes. But by eating a nutritious diet on a regular basis they will feel more energetic, stay healthier and undoubtedly perform better in school.
The foods you eat can certainly make a huge difference in your health. Our has numerous articles talking about the subject. Click here more about dietary fiber, something that is so important to keeping healthy. Rich Carroll is a writer and health enthusiast living in London.