Fuel up! Did you know that your nutrition could be THE catalyst to boosting you performance in class/work, energy level throughout the day, mood, and life in general? That’s right – research shows that nutrition accounts for 75% of body composition and overall health compared to exercise, which only accounts for 25%. In this episode, Morgan dives into the details of how better nutrition can equate to a better student life with her top 7 tips for improving your nutrition in college and young adulthood:  

Tip #1 (9:30 ): Start strong with a quality breakfast that emphasizes protein and healthy fat over excessive carbohydrates and sugar. While there is no perfect diet, putting an emphasis on nutritionally-dense foods (such as Morgan’s examples) in the morning will promote more sustained energy and better food choices throughout the day.    

Tip #2 (11:50 ): Be aware of meal timing by saving treats and high carb/sugar foods for the end of the day and experimenting with intermittent fasting to promote a healthy immune system, encourage cellular repair, boost metabolism, and so much more.   

Tip #3 (15:08 ): Eat your veggies! No matter your diet, vegetables that are high in micro-nutrients and fiber support countless functions of the human body and aid your digestive system. Morgan offers specific tips and tricks to work vegetables into your diet, even if they aren’t your favorite food group (yet!).   

Tip #4 (16:50 ): Don’t be afraid to snack – in fact, do it often! Morgan explains the importance of listening to hunger cues and choosing to indulge in healthy, satisfying snacks instead of processed foods that are high in sodium and sugar (which oftentimes leave you feeling even hungrier than before!). Try some of her tips for picking out snacks that will support your body’s needs and bring them to class or to work to enjoy throughout the day.   

Tip #5 (20:06 ): Rethink your drink (beverages, condiments, and more). Did you know that the average American consumes 400 calories a day in beverages??? Morgan encourages listeners to support their body with more water, less caffeine, and intelligent choices when it comes to alcohol consumption.   

Tip #6 (24:53 ): Know what foods you love and honor your cravings! No matter how good you’ll feel on your healthier diet, we should all be able to indulge in our favorite treats from time to time. Whether it’s cookies, candy, or chocolate, identify the things that you love and make it a special occasion when you enjoy them.    

Tip #7 (26:45 ): Use your tools! Follow the links below to learn more and utilize the free resources (dietitians, wellness coaches, and more) on your college campus to cater your nutrition and health practices to your unique needs.   Pick a few of these tricks to try as you head into the New Year! Experiment with what foods are best for YOU and we can’t wait to hear how you’re using proper nutrition to fuel your success. #KeepItReal

Visit this episode's description on our YouTube channel for links to all of our citations and additional resources for you!