Tag Archives: Snack food

5 Things You Need to Eat Healthy

Eating healthy at college can be a tricky maneuver. You’re in a hurry getting to classes, working a part-time job, studying late at night and, of course, keeping up with those hot dates. You’re going to need healthy foods to keep your motor running while keeping your package looking good. Here are five cloak-and-dagger secrets from the underground of healthy college eating to accomplish the mission.

Munchies and Snacks
Whether you’re in between class or having a late study night, you’re bound to get the munchies attack. These munchies attacks come on quick and furious, so you’ll need to be prepared with a healthy snack to fight off the pangs. Before leaving the dining hall, equip yourself with a piece of fruit, such as an apple or banana. Fruits are filled with natural sugar, fiber and vitamins and will quickly satiate you. Keep a stockpile of healthy snacks in your dorm fridge for those late study nights. Include items such as, low-fat yogurts, hummus on whole grain pita breads or low-fat cheese strings. Do not include donuts, Danish or fried snacks like Doritos. These foods are nutritionally empty, high in cholesterol and will pack on the pounds in no time.

Breakfast
Skipping breakfast is like trying to start your car on empty, so don’t do it. It’ll also make you ravenous by lunchtime, and you’ll find yourself chowing down anything within sight. Eating a healthy breakfast will give you energy to start your day and keep you focused in class. While those Belgian waffles with syrup may look enticing in the dining hall, there are plenty of other food choices that are much healthier. Go with a hard-boiled egg and fruit or a whole grain cereal with fruits and nuts. Both are filled with protein and vitamins to get your day off to a good start.

Lunch
Change your opinion about what you’d like for lunch. We’re all creatures of habit and have gotten into the rut of hamburgers and French fries. Go vegan instead. You’ll be eliminating unnecessary calories, unhealthy fats, nourishing your body and keeping in shape. Head for the salad bar in the dining hall and choose a variety of healthy veggies for your afternoon delight. Put together a smorgasbord of leafy greens, mushrooms, sprouts and grated cheeses on top. If you’re really feeling hungry, add some lean chicken to the mix.

Dinner
Think lean cuisine when choosing foods for dinner. Your day is coming to an end, and you’ll be burning fewer calories. Fewer calories burned equals more fat tissue. Choose lean steaks, chicken or fish as your main source of protein for dinner. Include a healthy veggie, such as broccoli or carrots. You also need a portion of carbs for energy, so choose a natural grain rice or pasta.

Moderation
With so much food available in the college dining hall, it’s hard not to over indulge. To avoid this trap, be determined to only fill your plate once and forget that you’re allowed seconds. Try to eat slowly, and you’ll find that you won’t feel the need for a second plate. This will take some discipline at first, but once you establish the habit, it’ll become second nature.

About the Author

JH is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is one of the best sites to help you enroll in accredited online colleges.

Staying healthy at your Workstation

Many of us have a day job that binds us to a desk for most of the week; and this can seem like quite an obstacle for those looking to stay healthy and keep fit. There are, however, plenty of ways you can stick to your diet, maintain energy through out the day, and keep your muscles engaged no matter how long you’re stuck behind a desk every day. Here are just a few healthy habits everyone should practice, no matter what their day job might be. You don’t have to let your work get in the way of your health, just follow these useful tips.

1) Keep moving: many of us will spend several, consecutive hours sitting at our desk; and the rest of the day in the sitting position. Whether it’s in the car on the commute to and from work, our lunch hour, or at meetings, remaining stationary has a huge impact on our health. Recent studies have proven that those who simply stand, rather than sit, while at work, cut their risk of heart attack nearly in half. Besides heart health, your metabolism can also greatly benefit when you continue to move through out the day. When sitting for long periods of time, your metabolism comes to a complete stop, which can even cause your body to retain fat. By standing at your work station, or while on the phone, pacing while brainstorming, or moving at any idle second, you’re doing your body a huge favor. Consider replacing your office chair with a stability ball, which helps you engage your muscles while sitting. Other habits, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, standing at your lunch break, and more all make a big impact.

2) Snack through out the day: snacking seems like an unhealthy habit, however, when snacking on the right foods, it offers many health benefits. Keeping healthy snacks at your desk, and choosing the right breakfast and lunch foods, can help maintain your energy levels through out the day, and help you burn more fat. Beginning with breakfast, make sure you don’t skip the meal, and load up on fiber, fruit, and calcium, such as with a nonfat yogurt parfait with fresh berries. Snacks can include a hand full of almonds, apple and cheese slices, green tea, low-sodium popcorn, a banana and others. These are all low calorie snacks that will prevent the mid day “crash” and give a healthy boost to your energy.

3) Work out before you work: studies have proven that working out in the morning, before breakfast, will increase productivity through out the day, help you sleep deeper, and help you feel more rested. At the end of a work day, you’re less likely to get to the gym, which is why working out at the beginning of the day is ideal. Those who exercise first thing in the morning also burn more calories during the day than those who don’t. Whether it’s cardio or strength training, exercise for at least twenty minutes at the beginning of the day for a more energy and productivity.

 

Author is Holly Adams of Coupon Croc. Save big on health spas and resorts with a Thomson discount code.