Today we have a blog take over by The Yoghurt and Juice Network who will be sharing their easy top tips for eating healthily at university … enjoy!
Top Tips For Starting University
When it comes to starting uni, you’re likely feeling excited, nervous, anxious and potentially also completely in the dark. The multitude of these feelings are all completely normal and even if those around you don’t appear to be feeling the same, the chances are they 100% are.
You’re living alone (potentially for the very first time) and it’s time to feed and look after yourself. Now correct us if we’re wrong but we’d imagine that you wouldn’t want December to roll around and you to feel as though you’ve been on a 3-month sabbatical to Maga. The idea of freshers is not to leave you feeling low and lethargic or to be experiencing slightly more irritated skin. This is the perfect time to adopt a healthier lifestyle and with our top tips you’ll be fully equipped with how to do so.
1. Cook with friends. This is the perfect way to bond over a good meal, spend less time cooking overall and ensure that your meals are cheaper to reduce costs and waste. Try and find a fellow housemate who is also up for experimenting with different dishes and new and exciting ingredients.
2. Reduce your hangover. Don’t worry, by no means are we suggesting that you avoid alcohol altogether. Although making healthier choices can help to limit your hangover. Stick to clearer spirits as they’re easier to detoxify than beer, wine and cocktails. Opt for slimline tonic, sparkling water or juice as a mixer rather than the fizzy drinks. Sugar sweetened beverages (read – fizzy drinks) are high in sugar which will contribute to high sugar intakes and unstable blood sugar levels.
3. Avoid keeping unhealthy snacks in your room. Let’s face it if they’re there you’re way more likely to graze on chocolate, sweets and crisps throughout the day. Instead keep a bag of apples, boiled eggs or hummus and carrots in your fridge. These options will be kinder to your body and to your wallet in the long run.
4. Avoid drinking sweetened drinks throughout the day. Sugar sweetened drinks are likely to increase your appetite (causing you to eat more), provide a large amount of sugar to your diet and can also start to dent your wallet. Stick to water throughout the day, or try getting creative by adding fresh fruit and herbs such as mint or rosemary to still or sparkling water to spruce things up.
5. Eat regularly. It’s commonly believed that skipping meals is a great way to lose weight. Although let us correct you. Skipping meals is more likely to lead to you over consuming later on in the day. It’s recommended that you eat more regularly to help stabilise your blood sugar levels. Opt for healthy balanced meals and then should you need to snack go for something high in protein to help balance your blood sugar levels. E.g. cream cheese on crackers, roasted beans, natural yoghurt with cinnamon, peanut butter on wholegrain toast.
6. Stock your cupboards with healthy ingredients. Below is a basic shopping list with some dry staples which can be helpful when you’re trying to eat well at uni:
• Canned chickpeas, beans, lentils, pulses
• Canned peas, carrots, sweetcorn
• Canned mackerel and sardines
• Canned tomatoes
• Canned fruit (try and buy this in juice rather than syrup)
• Frozen berries
• Frozen peas
• Wholegrain pasta
• Wholemeal bread
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Wholegrain wraps
If you’re looking for some recipe inspo see some of our recommended sites below:
-www.bbcgoodfood.co.uk
–www.jennahopenutrition.com
–www.nutritionbyyasmin.com
–www.olivemagazine.com
–www.studentrecipes.com
There you have our top tips for starting university. It really doesn’t have to be complicated but if you can create healthy habits from week 1 you’ll find maintaining a healthy lifestyle much easier overall.
For help and advice whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Personal Pastoral Support at NTU (general worries and anxiety, homesickness, loneliness, a relationship breakup, or a bereavement)
Support from NTU
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Depression advice
Counselling
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Struggling at Uni? Go to Student Minds
10 Keys to happiness
Healthy NTU 