College student all over the world face a daily struggle: They’re not getting all the essential ‘good things’ that lead to a healthy lifestyle. It’s very hard to feel great when you’re living off of pizza, burgers and chips in your dining hall. Seriously, don’t be a victim of the dreaded Freshman 15. It’s real!
Trying to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day can leave you feeling like a rabbit and making sure you’re getting all the necessary vitamins from your diet can puzzle the best of us.
So, we thought we’d give you a guide to staying in shape and being healthy, which doesn’t require you to sign your life away at the gym.
Step One: Vitamins on the cheap
For as little as £29 in some stores, you can purchase all your necessary vitamins and cod liver oils to keep you feeling and looking fresh.
Vitamins A and B-2 are perfect to counter those pesky spots and blemishes while Vitamin E will help your red blood cells live longer, as well as help your immune system work at its full potential. Essential when you’re feeling weak after a weekend partying.
Remember to buy the best immune support supplements to help you through those long days. You should also take probiotics and digestive enzymes—especially if you experience bloat. You can click here to learn more about digestive enzymes.
Step Two: Smoothies
The best way to make sure you’re getting your 5-a-day is with a blender and a bunch of fruit. Avoid buying ready-made smoothies as these can often be expensive and filled with sugar.
Making your own allows you to alter the flavors and ingredients. Once you’ve tasted your lovely creation you may find it difficult to stop, resulting in six, seven or even eight servings of fruit and veggies each day.
Blenders aren’t too expensive and a lot of dormitory buildings have ice machines on each floor. If your’s does not, consider purchasing a mini fridge with a small freezer.
Easy Recipe: 1 cup of frozen mixed berries, 1 banana and one cup of milk.
Step Three: Choose Diet
Calm down, we’re not saying go on a diet here. Simply, instead of choosing the full-fat products that are available, choose the diet or zero sugar option instead. All the unhealthy drinks and food you consume add up and if you make small changes to your diet like this the benefits build up and will have a positive effect.
Instead of the full fat milk try semi-skimmed or the red topped no fat, instead of white bread try brown. You get the idea.
Step Four: Get Active, Get Moving
Save valuable money by walking or cycling to your lectures. Petrol and bus tickets are pricey — the money you’ll save from riding your bike instead will leave you with a nice bit of dough for your holidays.
You’ll also be living a more active lifestyle. Try it out and see if you notice a difference in your body’s shape after a five week period.
Step Five: Take Up a Sport
Remember when you were younger and you played every sport imaginable? Me neither. For some, joining the football team and having swimming lessons every week was regular routine, others stayed home and played Crash Bandicoot to the early hours of the morning.
It’s not too late to take up a sport though, and if you can get your friends involved and form a team it can be great fun. Some sports only require one mate like squash or tennis, so you should be able to find at least one person to get active with.
Not a team player? Consider yoga instead!
How do you stay fit and healthy when you’re away at University? Let us know in the comments below!
