By Mitch Fahey, Staff Writer, Emerson College
As a full-time college student, it can be difficult to sustain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and I know that when I first got to Emerson I found it hard to maintain good habits. But living a healthy and physical lifestyle is important because it actually helps manage stress and feels good mentally and physically. Here are my 20 tips to sustain a healthy lifestyle while attending Emerson:
1. Make sure to get all your food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy, and oils) at appropriate portions for every meal. That way, you can get all your important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Eating slowly and practicing portion control are essential to avoid overeating.
2. Don’t like DH food? Have a salad with various veggies, grilled chicken, and olive oil: It’s healthy, contains several food groups, and is filling.
3. Avoid the foods heavy with saturated fat from the home-cooking station and stick with the healthier options from the sandwich/wrap and vegan stations.
4. Stop eating pastries for dessert and indulge in healthier options, such as granola with yogurt or low-fat frozen yogurt with fruit.
5. Make sure to vary the colors of your fruits and veggies. Different colors offer different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Picture the colors of a stoplight, and make sure to grab every color to put on your plate.
6. Avoid the greasy breakfast sandwiches and choose healthy salads or sandwiches like the turkey and cheddar or the tomato mozzarella at EmCafe.
7. Skip the sugary pastries, and have a quick and easy snack such as a fruit cup or the pretzel chips with hummus cups at EmCafe.
8. At the Max and at the Paramount, eat the healthier carb-rich stir-fry over greasier options at the grill.
9. Instead of consuming empty calories like fries, buy a salad to go with your burger or other grill items.
10. Avoid the sweet drinks at the Max and Paramount by bringing a water bottle.
11. Don’t ever skip meals: You’ll be hungrier at other meals and overeat.
12. Have a cheat day once a week so you can treat yourself after working hard and being healthy during the week.
13. Go to the gym and bring a buddy. It offers something for everyone, and having a friend there makes it more fun and competitive.
14. If you lift weights, make sure to perform back, bicep, chest, shoulder, and leg exercises every week. If you prefer cardio, there are tons of bicycle, elliptical, and treadmills to satisfy your needs.
15. Fitness classes offer yoga and spin which are a fun way to get active and work out with others.
16. If none of these options sound like they’re for you, walking to class and around campus is a nice and easy way to stay active everyday.
17. Don’t forget about intramural sports and the many places, such as the Boston Common and the Garden, to play basketball, football, tennis, or Quidditch.
18. Drink plenty of water (eight to 12 cups per day) to ensure you’re staying hydrated.
19. Don’t forget about sleep. Get those 8 hours! Getting a good amount of sleep every night, as well as naps here and there, are essential to maintaining good health.
20. Most importantly, balance is key. Maintain a well-rounded diet, vary your exercise regime, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep and you’ll feel better than ever!
Mitch was born in a lab in wrong island New York, blessed with a donk the size of Texas. He is a writing for film and TV sophomore who enjoys the tender touch of a sea otter and long walks on the beach. You can find him on Twitter and Facebook.
As a full-time college student, it can be difficult to sustain a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and I know that when I first got to Emerson I found it hard to maintain good habits. But living a healthy and physical lifestyle is important because it actually helps manage stress and feels good mentally and physically. Here are my 20 tips to sustain a healthy lifestyle while attending Emerson:
1. Make sure to get all your food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy, and oils) at appropriate portions for every meal. That way, you can get all your important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Eating slowly and practicing portion control are essential to avoid overeating.
2. Don’t like DH food? Have a salad with various veggies, grilled chicken, and olive oil: It’s healthy, contains several food groups, and is filling.
3. Avoid the foods heavy with saturated fat from the home-cooking station and stick with the healthier options from the sandwich/wrap and vegan stations.
4. Stop eating pastries for dessert and indulge in healthier options, such as granola with yogurt or low-fat frozen yogurt with fruit.
5. Make sure to vary the colors of your fruits and veggies. Different colors offer different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Picture the colors of a stoplight, and make sure to grab every color to put on your plate.
6. Avoid the greasy breakfast sandwiches and choose healthy salads or sandwiches like the turkey and cheddar or the tomato mozzarella at EmCafe.
7. Skip the sugary pastries, and have a quick and easy snack such as a fruit cup or the pretzel chips with hummus cups at EmCafe.
8. At the Max and at the Paramount, eat the healthier carb-rich stir-fry over greasier options at the grill.
9. Instead of consuming empty calories like fries, buy a salad to go with your burger or other grill items.
10. Avoid the sweet drinks at the Max and Paramount by bringing a water bottle.
11. Don’t ever skip meals: You’ll be hungrier at other meals and overeat.
12. Have a cheat day once a week so you can treat yourself after working hard and being healthy during the week.
13. Go to the gym and bring a buddy. It offers something for everyone, and having a friend there makes it more fun and competitive.
14. If you lift weights, make sure to perform back, bicep, chest, shoulder, and leg exercises every week. If you prefer cardio, there are tons of bicycle, elliptical, and treadmills to satisfy your needs.
15. Fitness classes offer yoga and spin which are a fun way to get active and work out with others.
16. If none of these options sound like they’re for you, walking to class and around campus is a nice and easy way to stay active everyday.
17. Don’t forget about intramural sports and the many places, such as the Boston Common and the Garden, to play basketball, football, tennis, or Quidditch.
18. Drink plenty of water (eight to 12 cups per day) to ensure you’re staying hydrated.
19. Don’t forget about sleep. Get those 8 hours! Getting a good amount of sleep every night, as well as naps here and there, are essential to maintaining good health.
20. Most importantly, balance is key. Maintain a well-rounded diet, vary your exercise regime, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep and you’ll feel better than ever!
Mitch was born in a lab in wrong island New York, blessed with a donk the size of Texas. He is a writing for film and TV sophomore who enjoys the tender touch of a sea otter and long walks on the beach. You can find him on Twitter and Facebook.