Prepared by: Rand Ibrahim, MD Student
Fueling your body with a nutritious diet is an essential component of maintaining a healthy and active routine as well as supporting your physical and mental well-being. As a medical student, you might find yourself caught in between coursework and clinical rotations with limited time for a proper break resulting in mindless snacking and unhealthy food choices.
Help keep your body nourished with these healthy tips for eating on-the-go:
- Don't skip breakfast.
- Plan ahead of time for meals and snacks (make a list, prepare and pack them in advance).
- Don't wait until you're hungry to eat, carry white-coat friendly snacks with you (e.g. fruits, nuts).
- Go for snacks based on whole-grain and fiber to make you full and give you enough energy throughout the day (e.g. whole-grain bars or dried fruit).
- Drink water and avoid sugary drinks (such as carbonated beverages and canned fruit juices).
- Cut down on foods that might make you anxious such as sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
- If you are struggling with comfort food, try eating smaller amounts or eating them less often.
- Dedicate time to snack mindfully instead of eating while working. Stop what you're doing for a few minutes and focus on eating your snack.