Tip #3: Plan Ahead

Tip #3- Plan Ahead

 

Happy Monday Folks! I hope you got some rest this weekend and perhaps even made it out to enjoy the INCREDIBLE brunch options at the dining units yesterday.  Check out some pictures of the beautiful chocolate fountain displays and wonderful assortment of fresh goodies for dipping.  (Hey, chocolate is an antioxidant!)

Cafe Ventanas Chocolate Fountain Display-De-Stress Brunch
 

I am sure many of you are now in CRUNCH MODE and don’t even have the slightest idea what or even when your next meal will be.  No worry if this is the case; you can easily find healthy & delicious meal choices when you visit any of the dining units or marketplaces.  However, we can’t provide them unless YOU come in!

I spoke with a few students anxiously awaiting the doors to open at Pines this morning before heading out to finals. I applauded them for their diligent planning to make sure they woke up in time to fuel their bodies.  Although my enthusiasm towards breakfast scared them a little, I believe they got my point once I told them I was their RD J

Nevertheless, these students recognized the importance of planning ahead. If you know you have a final that will extend into your regular meal times, PLAN AHEAD! Make sure to wake up or leave even just 10 minutes earlier to pop into the markets and grab a quick bite. The Market To Go pre-made sandwiches, wraps, and salads are excellent choices that are conveniently packaged to allow you to chow down on your walk to class.

Although in an ideal world I would LOVE to see you plan a longer period of mindful eating at one of our dining units, I know your time is tight. Just make sure to fuel your hunger before heading into the exam, because just like a car cannot run without gas, your body will not function without food J.

Be sure to check with your Res Life Offices to see where FREE SAMPLES (that’s right…FREE!) of healthy snacks will be distributed this week!

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!

Tip #2: Timing

 Hello UCSD! How are you holding up? I know how stressful the week before finals can be, so just try to take a deep breath and relax.  Next week will be over before you know it and then it’s holiday break time!

Let’s continue on our “healthy tips” for studying. Have you ever heard that you should eat every 3-4 hours to maintain a healthy metabolism? Well, here’s the 4-1-1 on it.

 

·         Eating every few hours allows you to be adequately nourished to fuel your body for whatever your day has in store for you. You need a certain amount of calories (aka your Basal Metabolic Rate http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/) to breathe, brush your teeth, walk to the bus, talk to a friend…etc.; basically everything you do requires energy!

·         Studying uses energy (aka calories). FANTASTIC, right? To make sure your body receives the right kinds of calories, it’s important to time your meals and snacks so that you’re constantly supplying energy to your brain. Aim to get the majority of your calories in during your waking hours (the time you are most alert).

·         Should you eat late at night if you’re up studying? This is a hard question to answer because it is unique for every person. If you tend to stay up actively cramming into the wee morning hours; then yes, you should be eating healthy snacks to fuel your brain (although I do encourage at least 6-8 hours of sleep).  On the other hand, if you stay up mindlessly munching attempting to stay alert; then no, you should give in to your slumber and hit the books when you are well rested!

Our dining units & markets across campus have a great variety of healthy snacks to choose from. I always tell my students to shoot for 2-3 food groups when choosing a snack. Some healthy snack ideas available at all the HDH Markets include:

·         Yogurt & Fresh Fruit –a GREAT balance of protein and antioxidants to keep you full and flu free

·         Whole Grain Crackers (or bread) & Hummus – full of energy bursting B vitamins to give you that extra push

·         Homemade Trail Mix (http://hdh.ucsd.edu/tastebuds/docs/SavorySnackRecipe.pdf) -  an excellent source of fiber and nuts that helps keep  your holiday weight in check J

Sometimes you may just need a little splurge and THAT IS ABSOLUTELY OKAY! I suggest if you’re feeling something daring to check out the Sunday DE-STRESS brunch at the dining units on Sunday, 12/8 to let loose and give into a little chocolate craving.

 

Be sure to check Facebook & the blog next week to see where FREE SAMPLES of healthy finals snacks will be available from the RD to make sure you are well fed J

Interested in learning more about a particular topic? Feel free to email me at tastebuds@ucsd.edu or follow HDH on twitter & check Facebook for upcoming events featuring the Taste Buds!