It’s hard enough to focus on eating right when you live at home. And when you move to a hostel, it’s pretty much impossible. Or so it seems at first. Because for the first time in your life, you’re allowed to make your own decisions about what you should eat, you can order takeaways whenever you want, and you’re probably surrounded by mountains of Maggi and snacks.
And when you live in a city like Hyderabad with so many delicious dishes at your disposal, it’s even harder to think about eating healthy.
We’ve all been there, we get it. But this can actually be a great time in your life for you to set up healthy eating habits that will last you a lifetime and ensure that you’re always making good choices. And the good news is that you can learn to eat healthy right from your hostel in Kondapur. So, let’s look at the easiest ways to improve your eating habits.
Stock healthy snacks, not salty ones
We know that you’re always drawn to the snack aisle when you’re on your weekly grocery shopping spree, but it’s time to pay a closer look at what you’re buying. You don’t need to always head for the high-preservative and excessively sugary or salty options.
Swap your potato chips for nuts or seeds, cookies for dried fruits and multi-grain crackers. That’s not to say you can’t indulge in some treats once in a while but stocking up on healthier alternatives will make it a lot easier for you to eat right than if your room is packed with high-calorie snacks.
Take the fruits
Most hostels will offer you fresh fruit along with your breakfast in the morning. And while most of us avoid the fruits, it’s time to rethink that option. Always take the fruit, even if you think that you’re not hungry in the morning. Having that banana or apple in your bag throughout the day means that you’re more likely to reach for it when you’re hungry than for something processed or ready-made.
Learn a little bit about nutrition
One of the reasons that most of us tend to eat so much junk is because we don’t really know much about the food that we’re putting into our bodies. So, why not take some time to learn a little about the food that you’re eating.
Find out if the meals served in your hostel are actually balanced and what you can do to supplement them. You might be surprised to know things like a spoon of peanut butter has more calories than a head of broccoli, and this can help you make good dietary choices.
Listen to your body
You know yourself better than everyone else. And you know the times of the day when you feel hungry. So, listen to your body when your hunger pangs hit and keep some healthy snacks for those times. If you deny yourself food when you’re hungry, you might end up overeating later in the day.
And once you start identifying your own hunger clock, you can start eating so that you stay full for longer. Remember that a bowl of oatmeal will probably abate your hunger far longer than a salad as it will provide slow-releasing energy that will last throughout the day.
Watch for holistic outcomes
Eating the right kind of food in Hyderabad is not just about losing weight or looking a certain way. What you eat can impact your physical and mental health. So, as you change your eating habits, keep a look out for the impact of different meals on your mood, energy levels, sleep, and digestion.
If eating rice in the afternoon makes you feel sleepy, you might need to change your eating habits. And if your breakfast bowl of cereal leaves you hungry again in just an hour, it might be time to bulk up that meal. So, keep track of what you’re eating and its effect on you so that you can make adjustments as required.
We hope these tips make it a little easier for you to eat right and stay healthy while you live in a hostel in Hyderabad. Because if you are what you eat, you might as well be awesome. Also, read this guide if you are moving to a big city.
