The Commerce Times

Don’t settle for the student diet

At one point or another, many of us have made a resolution to eat healthier. We wake up the next morning, pull out our sugary cereals, and start chowing down before we are able to stop ourselves. Why is it that we have so much trouble controlling our diet?

The answer is simple. It is just too easy to eat things that are bad for us. Unhealthy foods are often faster, cheaper, and let’s admit it, taste irresistible. However, the cold and flu season is coming and diet is an essential part of a strong immunity. By making the right choices, students can attain a lifestyle that leaves them feeling and performing better.

It is just too easy to eat things that are bad for us. Unhealthy foods are often faster, cheaper, and let’s admit it, taste irresistible.

Sarah Dobec, a nutritionist for The Big Carrot Natural Food Market, says healthy eating can be simple. “It’s all about eating whole foods, foods that are closest to their original form,” says Dobec.

“Unfortunately school cafeterias have large amounts of deep fried and processed foods, making it easy for them to land on your plate,” says Dobec. She recommends students organize group meals where everyone brings an ingredient. “This is a cheap and easy way to make healthy decisions.”

Dobec says a stir-fry is one of the easiest meals to make. “Get some brown rice, add steamed vegetables, meat or tofu, nuts, seeds, garlic, ginger, and use sesame oil to avoid expensive sauces.”

Dobec suggests Quinoa, a grain-like seed, as a healthy alternative to rice.

“Quinoa has an almost perfectly-balanced amino acid composition that makes it a complete protein,” says Dobec. It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals. The significant vitamins include B6, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. “Quinoa is a great natural food to have in your diet and it is very easy to make.”

Dobec says foods that are high in sugar or salt should be closely monitored and that most processed foods have incredible amounts of both.

“Food high in sugar can be detrimental especially in school settings. Sugar depresses the immune system and this causes an easier pass of colds and diseases,” says Dobec.

According to a study published by Statistics Canada, most Canadians consume more salt in their daily diet than necessary.

“The immediate side effects of eating too much salt include bloating and swelling. In the long term, consuming too much sodium can cause hypertension and cardio vascular problems. People should be eating around 1500 mg daily. One can of soup can contain half that amount, so it is very easy to overdose when you are eating processed foods,” says Dobec.

There is a large variety of foods available at local grocery stores that are cheap, filling and healthy. “I always shop at the local Whole Foods Market. They have the best selection of healthy, natural foods,” says Nic Scroggins, a first-year student at the University of Toronto.

The answer to your problem is simple. Number one, avoid processed foods. “The more whole foods you eat, the more in control of your body you will be,” says Dobec. Number two, take a good look around. There are more options than you think. You can control your diet while enjoying what you eat. Just add a dash of creativity.