Healthy Eating in College - Tips For Students

Healthy eating in college can be difficult on a budget, but just because you have little money does not mean you need to eat food with little nutritional value. With these few handy hints and tips, healthy eating in college can be simple...

1. Make a list
If you make a list when you are going shopping you are less likely to be tempted by pricey, unnecessary items. On a side note, eating before going shopping will make sure that you do not impulse buy and keep to your shopping list.

2. Plan your meals
If you plan your meals for the week, you'll know what to put on your shopping list and it will motivate you to cook in the evening. Meals don't have to be difficult, look for easy recipes online.

3. Buy value ingredients
Just because ingredients are in the value range, it doesn't mean they aren't as good. It may be that the vegetables are different shapes and sizes, but they will all taste the same in the end. People shopping with their eyes instead of their head is the main reason supermarkets can charge more for standardized looking vegetables.

4. Keep an eye out for bargains
If you have a freezer, bargain shopping is easy. If something is buy one get one free, eat one and freeze the other. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out in the clearance section, although the food may be going out of date in a day or two, if you freeze it, it can last for months.

5. Buy tins
Fruit can be expensive and goes off quickly, but tinned fruit will last for months and is still just as good for you. It makes a great snack, try it with some frozen yoghurt. You can also buy tinned vegetables - be aware of what the fruit and vegetables are preserved in though, avoid salted water and syrup and look for those stored in water or their own juice.

6. Frozen foods
Frozen vegetables actually hold their nutritional value better than fresh and are far more convenient, they will also last longer so take advantage of buying larger packs as they are generally more economical.

7. Drink water
Although in can be tempting to hit the fizzy drinks, your body needs water, particularly if it has been put through the wars with alcohol! Water is healthy and free, so try to drink 7 - 8 glasses a day.

8. Eat breakfast
Eating breakfast will stop you feeling hungry during the day and prevent napping in lectures. Breakfast does exactly what it says on the tin, it breaks a fast, so make sure you grab something in the morning (even if you are running late!) It needn't be a cooked meal, keep some fruit and cereal bars handy to throw in your bag on the way to lectures.

9. Healthy snacks
Often people fall down when they are having an energy slump and reach for the chocolate or other naughty snacks. Keeping some healthy snacks on you is a great way of avoiding the sugar cravings, fruit and vegetables are obviously a great option, but if you are in need of something a bit more interesting, try taking some vegetable crisps instead.

10. Variety
A varied diet is important for health and to stop you getting bored. Try something new each week to keep your diet interesting. Variety is the spice of life!

Easy Healthy Eating Tips for Kids

Kids can be very picky eaters and sometimes it seems like it is just impossible to please your children with healthy foods. We all know that kids in some cases pick up poor eating habits when they are young and may maintain them even up to adulthood. However, the best healthy eating tips for kids are those that give your children a balanced diet while at the same time ensuring that your children enjoy their meals. Once we understand how to get our kids eating healthy, then it will be easy to show them how to achieve that.

One of the simplest healthy eating tips for kids is to get your whole family to help. That way, the children are also involved in the preparation of the food and sit together to feed. You can have a sitting with your children and suggest the kinds of foods you would like them to include in their diet. The kids should be allowed to make suggestions for foods they would want to act as substitutes. This is as long as they are in the same food groups as yours.

This brings about the feeling that they are eating their preferred meals and the food choices will further seem more appealing to them if they helped to prepare. Sitting at the table with other kids will help them emulate the good feeding habits. At this point you can guide them on the food choices as opposed to dictating to them. Having a nice and easy conversation will make meal times fun and not a time for fighting.

Other healthy eating tips for kids include; Use fresh fruits and vegetables and use whole grains and foods. If possible, try and ensure that all your ingredients are organic. Gradually minimize on all food sources of saturated fats in order to prevent obesity and other weight problems.

Taking water is very crucial. teach them a culture of drinking enough water to help eliminate constipation and help in food digestion. Water should never be substituted with sodas and other non-organic drinks.

Do not over-snack. Snacking can make the children to feel full and become poor feeders. Snacks do not have to be the unhealthy salt and sugar ridden candy and crisps. You can make a nice sandwich for them among hundreds of other healthy options. Stay completely clear of refined or processed foods.

Kids should not be let to eat while watching the TV because this way, you are unable to know whether your stomach is full or not. This is because you are concentrating on the TV and you might end up over eating.

Healthy eating tips for kids need to include; Getting kids eating slowly. When a child is eating at a slower pace, they are able to tell when they are getting fuller and therefore no over eating.

Basically kids will eat healthy when guided properly and provided with interesting meals. Ensure that you do not bore them with one type of food. Keep it interesting by changing the food daily.