Feeling the weight (gain) of college

The most common phenomenon that strikes most college students (including myself) is the infamous Freshman 15. It's infamous for a multitude of reasons; the environment is fast-paced, stressful, and just begging for the students to pick up unhealthy habits. Most of our time is either spent studying or (for a lucky bunch) partying. 

 

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There aren't enough hours in the day for our academics and social life let alone time to eat right and go to the gym. We grow tired from those late nights studying and inadvertently feasting on late night snacks. 


You all know what I'm talking about. The good ole reliable cup of noodles (a college student favorite) is often the food of choice during those late hours or the fatty foods available at 24 hour food shops like Rigoberto's carne asada fries (a UCSD favorite). 


You might be able to see where I'm going with this. You might think I'll preach about eating healthier snacks during those hours and that those foods mentioned above cause the cumulative weight gain, and you're not wrong. It would be a better idea to snack on fruits and crackers, but I much rather explain why your body metabolizes food slower after midnight and to promote sleeping at regular hours. 


Cortisol is a steroid hormone whose main function includes raising blood sugar levels and increasing fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Its release is stimulated by stress (a condition all too familiar for us students) and peaks in the early morning. Cortisol levels are at its lowest after midnight, meaning your metabolism is at its lowest during those hours. Those rumors that eating your midnight snack causes that stubborn weight gain is all very true and easily preventable. 

 

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The simplest solution would definitely be to sleep at regular hours (preferably no later than 1 am) but of course that's not always an option. The next best option would be the healthy snack route, meaning celery (which is really negative calories because it takes so much energy for the body to digest) or a few cookies or crackers. Avoid chips at all costs. Foods high in protein is a bit more forgiving to eat after midnight, but carbs are not entirely a horribly option either. Carbs are the first molecules the body digests as its main source of energy which you can use early in the morning. 


These are definitely a few starter tips to avoid gaining those extra, stubborn pounds throughout your college career. Let's try to change the Freshman 15 to no more than Freshman 10! 


For delicious and healthy recipes that you can cook in your own apartment kitchen, or simply new methods of managing stress or any other college health quirks turn to these websites:


http://www.everydayhealth.com/college-health.aspx
http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/2007/09/cheap-healthy-college-food-tips-for.html


They're definitely good sources; I've gone back to them every other week, and hopefully it proves to be just as useful to you as well.