Whether you are starting your first day of kindergarten or your last day of college, eating healthy, nutritious food throughout the entire school day is indicative of how well you can focus and keep up your energy throughout the day. Feed your mind and body with a variety of nutritious foods that will help keep you satisfied during your school day. Bring your own food from home as much as possible, but if you must buy food from the cafeteria or dining hall, make wise choices that will keep you full and focused.
Step 1
Pack a nutritious breakfast to take with you to your first class. Incorporate whole grains, fresh fruit and lean protein into your breakfast, and limit saturated fat when possible, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Place a handful of almonds or walnuts into a plastic bag, then pack a container of yogurt and a banana for a fast, nutritious breakfast on the go.
Step 2
Bring a variety of your favorite nutritious foods in your lunch each day. If possible, plan your lunch the day ahead. If you love broccoli, pasta and grapes, make steamed broccoli and mix it into a whole-wheat pasta salad with some shredded skinless chicken breast. Add grapes as a side dish. Taking the time to cook healthy foods you enjoy for lunch beats cold peanut butter and jelly any day.
Step 3
Keep an eye on portion size at the dining hall. Many dining halls have an all-you-can-eat policy that can cause weight gain and unhealthy eating habits in some students, according to the Kids Health website. Before heading for the burger and fries, start each meal with a large salad, using a light vinaigrette dressing. After the salad, you'll be satisfied enough to make healthier eating choices that won't be ruled by your stomach.
Step 4
Stay away from soda and other sugary drinks. The caffeine in soda may help you stay alert in class, but soda is also high in calories. If you must get your caffeine fix during school, drink a cup of black tea with little or no sugar added.
Step 5
Pack healthy snacks to keep you satiated throughout the afternoon. After lunch, you still need to provide your body with nutrients to keep up your energy. Bring a bag of whole-wheat crackers with organic peanut butter to provide you with a protein boost during the late afternoon.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat a source of lean protein at every meal, like chickpeas, beans, skinless chicken breast, lean ground turkey, tofu or tempeh.
- Do not skip meals or restrict calories if you are trying to lose weight.
Things You'll Need
- Almonds or walnuts
- Plastic bag
- Yogurt
- Banana
- Broccoli
- Whole-wheat pasta
- Skinless chicken breast
- Grapes
- Salad
- Light vinaigrette dressing
- Black tea
- Whole-grain crackers
- Organic peanut butter
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