According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of young people eat fast food on a regular basis. In addition, the 2015-2018 study found that students in colleges and universities consume an average of 13.8% of all the calories they receive in a day of fast food.
The negative consequences of overeating should be clear to everyone. Not only can it lead to higher rates of obesity among the population, but regular consumption of junk food can lead to a variety of other health problems that can impede school success and the overall life of students.
Now, what are the alternatives? On the one hand, it’s easy to see why students choose fast food – their schedules are too busy. With many homework assignments, young people rarely have the opportunity to cook their own meals. But how to change that? Part of the answer could be academic aid. Busy students can turn to specialized paper writing services write me an essay and take some of the burden off your shoulders to save more time cooking healthy foods. But even if the kitchen is not really yours, there are always alternatives to fast food that you can choose in a shop or restaurant, and we will tell you!
Healthy snacks instead of chips
When you’re in college, your day is likely to be quite busy. Often, you may not even have time for a regular meal during the day. Or you may need to eat fast food during your study sessions. That’s when you grab some snacks.
As mentioned above, essay writing services like DoMyEssay can help you get rid of the academic burden. Still, you’ll need to buy something for a quick snack during the day. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy. There are many alternatives to chips and other unhealthy snacks. To name a few, there are fruits and vegetables, nuts, multi-seed cookies, and more. So buy your snacks the right way!
Roasted vegetables instead of french fries
French fries are crunchy and delicious, which is why students often take them to restaurants and even buy frozen french fries to cook at home. But they are hardly healthy. Luckily, there is a much healthier, vitamin-rich alternative to French fries: roasted vegetables.
What are the benefits? Roasted vegetables are usually available in most restaurants and can also be cooked quickly at home. Therefore, it is a great alternative to fast food. In terms of health, vegetables can provide a lot of minerals, fiber and vitamins. And they are no less crunchy and delicious than fries.
Avocado toast instead of burgers
If you’re used to grabbing a burger for a quick breakfast before conferences, you should know that there’s a much healthier but more delicious alternative: avocado toast.
Avocados contain monounsaturated fats that prevent heart disease and obesity. They are also rich in minerals, vitamins and fiber. And there are so many variations of toast you can make: simple whole grain toast with avocado, salt and pepper are good, but if you add a little egg, tomato, salmon, bacon or other ingredients of your choice, your toast. it will be even more delicious.
Juices and water with fruit infusion instead of soft drinks
Most students are big fans of pop. They consume soft drinks like Cola, Fanta, Sprite and others every day. Needless to say, this is not very good for your health. These drinks contain too much added sugars, which can lead to insulin and leptin resistance, weight gain, and many other health problems.
What alternative options do you have? Choose juices over octopus! But only choose natural juices with no added sugars. Alternatively, if you want to keep your body hydrated, you can also opt for water with fruit, which is even more refreshing and healthy. To make this water, just add the fruits, vegetables, and herbs you choose to the water.
Fresh sauces instead of sauces full of fat
Just as you like fries or chips with different dips, you’ll probably enjoy your healthy alternatives (e.g., cookies or veggies) with some sauces. But do not rush to opt for known unhealthy options.
Instead of buying sauces full of vegetable oil, cream, artificial additives and other unhealthy things, cook yourself fresh, healthy salts. Do not you worry! It won’t take you long. All you need is a basic Greek yogurt sauce and some extras to choose from, such as lemon juice or herbs. You can also take an avocado bath. And if you don’t have time, replace fatty sauces with healthier alternatives like hummus. Trust us! It will be just as delicious.
The bottom line
We bet that all modern students realize the importance of having healthy eating habits. After all, the food you eat has a direct impact on your mood, energy levels, and overall health. But finding healthy alternatives to fast food can be difficult.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have more ideas on how to replace fast food with healthier options without wasting too much time. Use these tips to stay healthy and fit!