The Importance of Teaching Healthy Eating Habits

1166 Words3 Pages

Introduction

College students lead very busy and stressful lives which impacts all aspects of their health. One of the highest risks of a hectic routine is poor eating habits. Many students commonly reach for junk food during study sessions, or fast-food during a night out with friends. Also, many students have reduced impulse control and will choose to eat foods that are high in fat, salt, carbohydrates, and sugar. It is vital that students understand the importance of their choices as well as ways to make better decisions when it comes to meals and snacks.

The purpose of this report is to educate readers on the factors that lead to eat poor habits, and to share some concepts of healthier eating.

This report has the following sections: Introduction, Stress and Student Choices, Schedules and Life Factors in Eating Habits, Ways to Change Eating Habits, Conclusions, Recommendations, References and Appendixes, and Summary.

The report has collated information from The Relationship Between Stress and Eating in College-Aged Students, Bad habits, schedules determine student diets, College student eating habits and nutrition and Healthy Eating for College Students on a Budget.

Stress and Student Choices

Many college students deal with a high stress levels each day due to a busy routine of homework, family life, and work. According to Ruth Blackburn, a nutrition specialist, students can assume poor eating habits for numerous reasons. “Time constraints that make eating a well-balanced meal seem impossible. Lack of sleep and stress can fuel the desire for high sugar and/or high fat foods.” (as cited in Woll, 2002). Foods with high amounts of sugar and fat give a temporary boost of energy that can carry a student through a class...

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...Healthy Eating Plate. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/images/diet_nutrition/harvard-healthy-eating- plate.jpg

Paul W. M., Smith, M. M.A. Segal, J. Ph. D. (2013, September). Easy Tips for Planning a Healthy Diet & Sticking to It. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.html

McNicoll, S [Article]. Ellis J. (2002, February 8). [Picture] College student eating habits and nutrition. Retrieved from http://sustainontario.com/2011/02/08/4083/good- food-ideas-for-kids/college-student-eating-habits-and-nutrition

University of Michigan Health Systems. (2012). Healthy eating for college students on a budget. [Newsletter]. Michigan, MI: Willyard, V.

Woll, S. (2002, March, 28). Bad habits, schedules determine student diets. Retrieved October 7, 2013 from http://www.michgiandaily.com/content/bad-habits-schedules-determine-student-diets

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