If you’re wondering about the eating habits for students/ young adults then that is a good thing. It means you care and want to explore healthier foods than french fries and ice cream.

Students need to have good eating habits for students to enjoy academic success. If you were anything like me, then you certainly aren’t eating leafy greens, unless it was in a salad bowl.
When I was at uni, I ate pasta dishes every chance I got and I didn’t care if it came in a package, as long as it was quick and easy to make. I ate a lot of takeouts from KFC and McDonald’s, any fast food restaurants really that had tons of junk food that was full of fatty acids.
Every time I drank soft drinks like Pepsi and coke I had in the back of my mind, this was not good nutrition and I knew it was definitely not good for me, but again that didn’t stop me from drinking it.
Whether you’re in your first year of uni, in your spring semester or fall semester, or whatever semester you are in, it is never too late to start leveling up and flex dollars ($) or pounds (£) for better college life, since there are no free meals anymore.
A major factor in my poor food choices was that I knew nothing about nutrition information. I certainly wasn’t taught this during high school lunch programs when I was in school. Of course not, they want us to keep spending those dining dollars on their university food services.
Well, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will, at some point or another during your student life.
So, if you’re wondering why are meals important at uni? then continue reading to explore healthier options to help you make healthy choices and transition into a healthy lifestyle that could lead to better academic performance.
This post is all about the importance of healthy eating habits for students.
Eating Habits For Students

As college students and university students, there is a lot of data collection out there. I didn’t do focus groups but according to scientific evidence, eating a healthy diet is essential in keeping you fit and ready for the day and can help determine your weight throughout your entire life.
So it’s not surprising to discover that what you eat whilst you’re in a university setting can have a profound effect on your overall health and well-being, including your mental health.
Meal times when you are a busy student can seem like one more extra hassle! but they are important for several reasons.
They offer an opportunity to socialise with friends, unwind after a long day of lectures and get some much-needed nutrients into your system.
It’s also a time to take a break from studying and give your brain a rest, which is always a good idea.
What you eat during these college years can have a big impact on your health, both in the short and long term. So, you should be aiming to have good health; better than your family members lol.
Eating a balanced diet will help you to maintain a healthy weight, whether it’s weight gain or weight loss you are striving for, you’ll have more energy and avoid developing conditions such as obesity, type II diabetes, and heart disease later in life.
So, why are meals important at Uni?
Meals offer an opportunity to socialise

If you’re living away from home, meals can be an important time to catch up with friends, flatmates, and family members.
Even if your eating while at special events such as a birthday party or a wedding, you’re in a food environment so don’t let your food insecurity get in the way, and remember your whole grains.
Instead of eating alone in your room, why not head to your university housing dining hall or cook together in your dorm using the kitchen facilities? Not only is this a great way to bond, but it’s also an opportunity to learn new recipes and cooking skills. Skills you didn’t learn in public schools.
Think on your feet and be creative, there are a few residential dining location you can use. For example, pop over to your neighbour and ask to use their kitchen. This is a great way to get to know your next-door neighbor a bit better.
Remember: If you’re cooking for the first time, the more you practice the better food quality you will have. Older students have this down! They don’t need to raid the food pantry to know what they are capable of making for dinner. They know the good stuff, and eventually so will you.
Meals help you to maintain a healthy weight
If you’re eating regular, nutritious meals, you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy foods.
This means you’ll have more energy to participate in physical activity and will really help you out in your later life.
Meals can improve your mood
Think about it, when you’re hungry you can’t really concentrate on anything other than how hungry you are, there is a strong loss of focus and sometimes a loss of interest in whatever it is that you’re doing.
However, when you’ve eaten you feel much better and have more energy to do stuff and get on with your day.
Meals offer an opportunity to get creative

Cooking can be a fun and creative way to express yourself.
Whether you’re trying out new recipes or coming up with your dishes, cooking is a great way to unwind and de-stress. And if you’re eating healthy meals, you’ll feel good about yourself too!
Meals at Uni provide essential nutrients
What you eat has a big impact on how you feel. Eating nutritious meals can help improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and boost your immune system.
Eating regular, nutritious meals ensures that you’re getting the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients your body needs to function properly. Especially, if you have special dietary needs.
Meals give your brain a break from studying
Studying can be mentally draining and cause a lot of stress, so it’s important to take breaks to give your brain a chance to rest.
Recent research has found that students who took regular breaks are better at creating a laser focus and increasing their productivity to ninja standards!
So why not use your meal time as an opportunity to take a break from studying?
Not only will you get the chance to relax and rejuvenate, but you’ll also have the opportunity to socialise and bond with the people around you. Doing this will make big differences in your university experiences, especially if you’re first-year students.
What better way to relax than by enjoying a delicious meal?
“Eating nutritious meals can help improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and boost your immune system.”
Meals can help you save money
Eating out all the time can be expensive, so cooking at home can help you save money. Meal times are also a great opportunity to get creative with your food and try out new recipes.
If you’re on a budget, batch cooking can be a great way to make sure you always have something tasty and nutritious to eat without breaking the bank.
So put your debit card away and start bringing your own food to your university/ college campuses. You’ll save a whole lot of money and never have to worry about unpaid lunch bills ever again!
Cooking meals can help you feel closer to home
If you’re feeling homesick, cooking can be a great way to feel closer to home.
Whether you’re making your mom’s famous chilli or your dad’s favourite pasta dish, meals can help you feel connected to the people and places you love. Let’s be honest anything is better than those awful school food.
Meals help increase your overall well-being
What you eat has a big impact on how you feel, both physically and mentally. Eating nutritious meals can help improve your energy levels, mood, and concentration.
So if you’re looking to boost your well-being, make sure you’re getting enough good nutritious food!
According to experts, healthy eating can help you:
● Feel happier
● Reduce anxiety and stress
● Improve your memory and concentration
● Boost your energy levels
● Give you better skin
To find out more about Why Student Wellbeing is Important, head over to discover my 5 best ways to be a happier and healthier you!
So why not give it a try? Cooking nutritious meals is a great way to improve your overall well-being
If you’re not sure where to start, check out my easy batch cooking tips which are perfect for busy new students this academic year!
Batch cooking goals smashed!
If you’re looking for easy recipes to cook at Uni, why not try batch cooking? This is a great way to make sure you always have healthier meals on hand, without having to spend hours in the kitchen or rushing last minute to make something that causes you a lot of stress to make.
What is batch cooking?
It’s cooking a big batch of food all at once so that you have meals ready to go for the week ahead.
This can be a great way to save time and money, as well as make sure you’re eating Healthy foods.
Here are some of my favourite ways to get ahead with your meal plan selection. Find a great cooking playlist, pop in your headphones, and settle in!
Find a great cooking playlist, pop in your headphones, and settle in!
1. Get organised
The first step to batch cooking is to get organised. Make a list of all the recipes you want to make, then gather all the ingredients you need. This will save you time and energy later on.
Also, make sure you invest in some good quality kitchen appliances that will make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
This could include a slow cooker, a food processor, a soup maker or juicer etc.
2. Choose simple recipes
Find a few quick and easy recipes that you enjoy and make them regularly. Having a few go-to recipes will make meal plan balance and cooking much easier.
When you’re batch cooking, it’s best to choose simple recipes that can be easily scaled up or down.
This way, you can make a big batch of one dish and have leftovers for days.
3. Prep your ingredients
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, it’s time to prep them.
Cut up vegetables, cook rice or pasta, and do anything else you need to do to get the recipes ready.
4. Get cooking!
Now it’s time to start cooking! Follow your recipes and cook each dish in batches.
If you’re making a big batch of something, you may need to cook it in multiple batches.
Here’s are some ideas to get you started!
- Make a big batch of soup or chilli that can be portioned out and frozen for quick lunches or dinners.
- Cook a double recipe of your favourite pasta dish and freeze half for another night.
- Roast a chicken or turkey breast on the weekends and use the leftovers for sandwiches, salads or wraps during the week.
- Make a big pot of rice or quinoa and store it in the fridge for quick sides or bases for meals.
- Whip up a big batch of guacamole, hummus or another favourite dip and enjoy it with veggies or pita chips all week long.
- Bake a big batch of muffins, scones or cookies and enjoy them for snacks or dessert all week long.
- Cook a big pot of soup or stew on the weekends and enjoy it for lunch or dinner all week long.
5. Let it cool
Once your dishes are cooked, let them cool before you put them in containers. This will help them stay fresh longer.
6. Store it properly
Once your food is cooled and stored in containers, be sure to label them with the name of the dish and the date you made it.
Then, put them in the fridge or freezer so you can enjoy them later!
Remember: Read up on your food safety. Foods are only good for a certain amount of time, even frozen food, so to avoid food waste, be sure to eat it before it expires.
Final thoughts on eating habits for students…
So why are meals important at Uni? Because they can save you money, help you concentrate, have fun socialising, remind you of home (sometimes) and play a large role in keeping you healthy!
Make batch cooking a part of your routine to make sure you’re always prepared. Stick with the meal program and you’ll be on your way to avoiding those awful overpriced school meals.
For additional information, more uni help, and everything, they didn’t teach you at school head over to my blog to find out more. You don’t have to show your student ID lol, we are all in the school of life!
This post was all about eating habits for students and the importance of meals at uni.
Other posts that you may like:
- 21 Easy Cheap Student Meal Ideas You Need To Try
- Why Is Student Wellbeing Important? 5 Ways To Get Energised!
- Why Connecting With Others Is Important At Uni: 11 Best Tips For Making Friends At Uni
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