There are many challenges people will experience when moving out for the first time this September, but one that almost everyone underestimates is feeding yourself. It’s easy to cook a meal and eat it but what’s more important is ensuring you’re actually getting all the nutrients you need.
In my personal experience, I suffered a terrible bout of tiredness for around two weeks, where I genuinely slept for hours on end and found it difficult to get out of bed. Then, I had a singular orange and was completely cured. Turns out I’d had a Vitamin C deficiency and it was completely solved by simply adding an orange to my diet.
So, for any other students who will be feeding themselves for the first time this September, here is some advice from a fellow student who almost got scurvy on how to avoid making the same mistakes I did.
Small simple changes can make all the difference here, whether that’s eating a piece of fruit at lunch or adding a little bit of veg to your dinner. Having a nutritious diet does not mean you have to stop eating the food you want to nor do you have to eat a diet of exclusively kale.
If time is an issue, frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh ones and they can be made quickly. There’s also the Green and Blue space on campus which is regularly stocked with free fruit and veg that can help you maintain a balanced diet.
Another good piece of advice is to not be afraid of vitamin supplements. If you’re struggling to get them via your diet, they’re a quick and easy way to make up the difference. I’d recommend getting supplements for specific vitamins you know you need rather than general ‘wellbeing’ ones which often contain unnecessary extras and are expensive.
Importantly, don’t panic if you suspect you have a deficiency! Your body will let you know early and simply introducing new food into your diet is often enough to reverse it. If that still doesn’t work, speak to a GP and make sure it isn’t being caused by something else.
It’s easy to think of making meals as one of the easiest parts of coming to university but it’s important to remember that it’s not just about eating enough but also getting enough essential nutrients. So, make sure you eat your veggies, even if your parents aren’t there to tell you to anymore, lest you end up a scurvy-ridden student like me.
Featured Image Credit: Andrei Danilson on Pexels.com
2nd year History and Journalism Student
Politics Editor and Head of Podcasting
Also writes on Substack @jamesmcintyre609599
