health Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

It’s tempting to fall into unhealthy habits but having a balanced lifestyle is the key to a vibrant college life.

One enters college with an abundance of excitement, hope, and the most fun of them all, freedom. While this freedom provides opportunities for growth, it also brings with it a sense of carelessness. When you’re no longer answerable to Mom, you let loose. In most college students, this leads to the rise of some unhealthy habits. Being able to stay in bed and Zomato all the time may seem like a dream come true at first, but it inevitably invites problems.

However, that is not the only factor that could lead to the development of an unhealthy lifestyle. It’s also easy to feel so drowned in assignments, society work, or internships that there’s no room left for exercise or any hobbies for that matter. After a hectic college day, there is nothing more inviting than your bed. With an episode of your current binge and some pizza on the side. This becomes a routine that’s hard to break out of.

The appeal of the taste of fast food is not the only thing that has kept me in the habit of ordering in almost every night. It’s also very convenient to not have to prep or cook meals. It feels like a quick fix after a long day.” -Vansh, a second-year student

Moreover, “broke college student” is a famous phrase for a reason. When short on budget, cooking the same instant ramen pack a few different ways to get through the week is appealing. Thus, many factors contribute to the rise of unhealthy eating habits in college students. Another major problem is that of little to no exercise. It’s difficult to make time for a regular routine. The norm of going late to bed and having to wake up early for morning classes keeps one in the cycle of feeling tired throughout the day. Pulling all-nighters consistently and then drinking tons of coffee to survive, skipping meals, and not exercising are therefore common elements of a college student’s lifestyle. The allure of it all is heavy. But this lifestyle is unfortunately not sustainable. How do we beat it?

It’s important to start at the fundamental level and correct your basics. Build your day around a healthy sleep schedule, eat at the right time, and start incorporating at least some exercise throughout the week. As cliché as this might sound, your elders are correct. Doing this will significantly improve your quality of life and help you focus better on your goals. You don’t need some rigid instruction table to help you achieve all of this. Start slow and be soft with yourself. It’s also okay to maintain some flexibility. You do not need to cut Netflix or McDonald’s out of your life (duh, how could we ever?). Just practice moderation with it.

After college hours, it feels unsafe for me to travel to and from a gym in the city. So, I’ve made it a point to wake up a little extra early in the mornings to do yoga. This way I get some exercise done every single day.” -Gauri, a second-year student at KNC.

While waking up early is definitely not the best suit for many of us, here are some things that you can do to start living a better and healthier life. When you get hunger pangs at odd hours, have fruits for snacks instead of reaching for a packet of chips. They’re yummy and healthy, plus super convenient to grab. Replace your caffeinated beverages with better alternatives that also serve as a refresher, such as milkshakes. When you do need to order in, pick healthier options as opposed to fast foods. For exercises, try to include movement in the little day-to-day tasks. Walk around on your study break instead of sitting in bed. Take the stairs instead of elevators wherever possible (the metro station!). Discover a safe road/park near you and go for the occasional walk while on the phone with family or friends.

There are innumerable little ways you could create a better lifestyle for yourself. Making conscious choices regarding nutrition and exercise will take care of you both physically and mentally, improving academic performance and overall quality of life. Pave the way for a balanced and fulfilling college experience that sets you up for success in the long run. Cheers to doing better.

Featured image source: Seventeen Magazine

Additional image source: Pinterest

Arshiya Pathania

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Tryst with Tea: Your Companion for Every Emotion

By DU Beat January 20, 2020

Lazy winters with our legs tightly packed together under the quilt and hands almost turning to ice because of the chilly weather outside all we crave for is a cup of ‘Chai’. Winter, the weather of shivers, and Tea, the elixir of warmth is a combination made in heaven. Whether it’s the morning bed tea or the evening dose of energy boost, tea forms the most important and endearing part of our lives. Considering the extent of love we have for our cup of chai the market has come up with varied flavoured teas to suit our different emotional requirements. Below, are hence mentioned the few best of them which have excellent outcomes not only for our taste buds but also for our psychic needs -:

1. INSOMINA (Lavender tea)

Sleep deprived Rolling on the bed or blankly looking at the fan on the ceiling is an ending to a day that no one can desire for. There can be many reasons for Insomnia such as, anxiety, stress, medication etc. Just having a cup of Lavender tea which is prepared by the purple buds of freshly plucked Lavender flowers before bed can provide you with a soothing and peaceful sleep which will not only provide your face with a new shine the next morning but will also enable you to start the next day with a new and a healthy spirit.

2. ENERGY BOOST UP (Oolong tea)

Getting up early on Monday mornings and heading to work is the most difficult task, we encounter every week. Having a cup of Oolong tea which prevents stress and fills you with enthusiasm can save you from the difficult Monday blues. Enriched with L-thealine oolong tea makes you feel energetic and provides you with the essential motivation you need after every weekend.

3. DESTRESS (Chamomile tea)

Devoid of caffeine chamomile tea replaces all your stress, anxiety and worries with calm, comfort and peace. A shot of chamomile tea everyday after work releases you of fatigue and enables you to go to your bed with serenity. It also soothes menstrual pain and reduces the cramps and mood swings during ‘that time’ of the month.

4. EMOTIONAL WELL BEING (Turmeric tea)

With lives full of hustle and bustle due to everyday experiences in professional and personal lives maintenance of an overall healthy emotional well being appears to be a major task. In such a lifestyle adding a habit of sipping Turmeric tea in your daily routine can make it easier for us. Having an influence on the serotonin and dopamine levels in our body it provides us with the warm and fuzzy feelings we all crave for.

5. KEEPING AWAKE (Black tea )

Having a large amount of undone work that requires you to stay awake but, your eyes are shutting with sleep ? Worry not Black tea with Caffeine as its natural stimulant is there for your rescue. Just a shot of black tea not only vanishes your sleep but also gives you a push of euphoria providing you with an energy to finish off your Assignment or reports.

So, the next time you leave from your house make sure your bag carries the appropriate tea bag to complement your day ahead.

Feature Image Credits: Unsplash

Kriti Gupta

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Students Strike for Action Against Climate Change

By Sakshi Arora September 30, 2019

This September, the youth, especially students from all over the world are organising strikes for action against climate change. Let us take a look at this movement in India.

Inspired by the sixteen-year-old Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg, the first Friday school striker who started to miss her school on Fridays and protest outside the Swedish Parliament for action against climate change, on 20th September 2019, students and adults all over the world gathered to strike for action against climate change. This strike took place ahead of the United Nations Climate Action Summit that took place on 23rd September 2019.

In India, this citizens’ movement began on 15th March 2019, when about eight hundered students gathered in solidarity for action against climate change. Bhavreen Kandhari, a social environmentalist, said, “I got a tweet from Extinction Rebellion when this global movement began asking me why the movement had not taken over Delhi, considering that it is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Slowly, awareness about the movement spread and we had our first strike during examination season, with a lot of support from many parents and schools.” People from over 85 cities and towns in India took part in the Global Climate Strike, which is going to continue till 27th September 2019.

However, considering our population, more people need to become aware of the climate crisis and join the movement for action against climate change if we want to save our planet which, according to studies, only has 11 years of sustainability left. The Government also needs to realise the reality of this crisis and take actions to save the environment. Asheer Kandhari, an active student participant of the movement, said, “Is this the kind of future our parents want to leave us, their children, with? As someone who is facing the consequences of the decisions made by the previous generations, I feel it is my duty to fight for my future and planet. I believe one needs to take a peaceful but direct and firm urgent action to seek our objective.” Aman Sharma, another student who has been very active with the climate change movement, said, “I speak for every child of India. We have come to a point where breathing air is making us sick. Air, which is supposed to be the nectar of life, is now challenging our very existence on earth. Climate change is happening all around us and we know it. Denying or ignoring this crisis situation for years has only made us lose valuable time and us kids can now see the present situation as the beginning of the end. I want the policy and decision-makers to take note that the time for action is now. My home, my city, New Delhi is set to join the list of Indian cities to have no groundwater by 2020. If little children can understand how grave the situation is and what the solutions are, I find it funny that the adults cannot. We already have all the solutions as we have the science, facts and figures we need, but we lack the will, mindset, and compassion to go with it. It is shameful that we children have to tell policy-makers how to save the planet, beg leaders to secure our future and miss school to educate them on this crisis.”

Greta Thunberg recently said that she did not want people to hope, but to panic as if their house was on fire, because it is. Climate change is as real and poisonous as the air that we breathe in Delhi. Massive action needs to be taken now, not only by world Governments and big corporations but by each and every one of us, if we want to even have hope for a greener and safer future.

Feature Image Credits: Rishabh Gogoi for DU Beat

Juhi Bhargava

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Campus Central

Mental Health Societies in DU

By Kartik Chauhan September 10, 2019

India is confronting a mental health crisis, with one out of every three individual dealing with depression. The Mental Health societies in University of Delhi (DU) aim at improving this condition at student level, in the wake of Sri Venkateswara college’s new mental health club, “Empathise”.

Mental health is an indispensable part of character, and is more than the absence of mental disorders. It refers to a broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being, prevention of mental illnesses, treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.

According to the National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-16 (quoted by a 2017 World Health Organisation report), one in 20 people in India over the age of 18 have suffered from depression, and more than 80% of sufferers have not received any treatment. The National Crime Records Bureau reports that students made up almost 7% of recorded suicides in 2015.

The viewpoint of Indian people towards mental illness isn’t very comforting. There prevails a pervasive stigma that responds to it by maintaining a safe distance from those who are mentally ill or categorise people striving for mental help, as attention seekers. But over the past few years, Indian society has witnessed some changes and the number of people who deeply care for this cause has increased.

College societies play a very substantial role in developing students. They prove to be a good forum to generate changes, create acceptance and develop a healthier environment that is more than just attending classes and scoring well.

Bhavika Mehta, founder of “Empathise”, The Mental Health Club, Sri Venkateswara College said, “College can be a wonderful experience for many, but it could be miserable to a lot as well, given the fact that people from all backgrounds and pluralities come to one place. The objective of the club that will turn into a society would be to establish a safe and comfortable space for anyone who wishes to talk, our team would be there for them with open arms and listening ears.”

A society solely concerned with Mental Health is beneficial for the college and would eventually normalise the notion of needing mental help and stimulate people to not see depression, anxiety or any other discomfort as a call for attention, rather something really sensitive and severe.

There are several other colleges of DU amassing Mental Health societies that are working even on a larger scale. Friends’ corner, Hindu College is an active society that endeavours to make the college more empathetic. They also have a page called “Humans of Hindu” that encourages the students to share their stories. The White Rose Club, Gargi College, is another society that aims at spreading awareness, curtailing hate, and encouraging students to rise above their phobias. Apart from this, the colleges that are yet to have a Mental Health Cell, have shown their support to this cause on a secondary level. The NSS unit of Kamala Nehru College organised a peer mentoring session that encouraged freshers to reach out for any mental, emotional help, the society would provide them with assistance.

Students strongly believe that the fact that there is a need for such societies is an indication of how our educational institutions lack counsellors and therapists. A student instigated organisation cannot be a substitute for proper counsellors and psychological assistance. The Indian education system needs to realise the importance of this aspect and act on it on a wider scale.

Feature Image Credits: Mentalhealth

Avni Dhawan

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Physical Wellness in College Students

By DU Beat May 5, 2019

In their college years, students pay no attention to their physical wellness which has hazardous implications in future. Here’s delving deep into the subject and discussing the changes one needs to bring in their lifestyle to improve their physical health.

College years can be some of the most stressful years for a student- both mentally and physically. You are overburdened with academics, society activities, friends and social life, and so much more.

In such a scenario, students, more often than not, forget taking care of themselves and pay no attention to their physical wellness. Several unhealthy habits ingrained during college years often deteriorate their health which become the root of health issues later in life.

How often do you prefer eating out over cooking for yourself? Do you also spend the most amount of your day sitting in front laptop completing your assignment or well, just binging shows on Netflix?

During college years, students, especially those living in hostels, find themselves involved into unhealthy eating habits like eating junk food very often, binging on unhealthy snacks during midnight study sessions, heavy dependence on caffeine among others. Excessive intake of such unhealthy high-on-calorie food items leads to problems like obesity.

There’s also a considerable reduction in the number of physical activities performed by college students as compared to when they were in school. Lack of any compulsory physical exercise like sports in college gives students numerous reasons to never leave the comfort of their cozy beds and go out in the fresh air. Physical lethargy leads to mental lethargy, robbing students of concentration and an active mind.

In conversation with DU Beat, Sakshi from Kamala Nehru College (KNC) said that she didn’t remember the last time she played any sport during her college years. She also added that regular intake of junk food and soft drinks have become the norm of college life.

This decline in attention towards physical health is worrisome, for it may have several hazardous implications for students.

Thus, it’s quite important for college students to become aware of their daily physical habits and to not ruin it further every day. Small changes are key to bringing about a major change in one’s physical lifestyle.

Prefer cooking at home over regularly binging junk food outside. Try healthier snack options during your late night study sessions. Get up from your bed and chair every hour, take a walk outside in the fresh air, and give your body some physical movement like sports and exercise. Simran from Gargi College said, “I have started exercising daily in my hostel itself due to lack of time to go to the gym. It helps me feel rejuvenated and healthy.”

Engaging in sports brings an individual not only physical benefits but they also leave the person mentally fresh and energised. Dharna Bothra from KNC said, “I feel extremely active and energised not only physically but also mentally after playing sports.”

So, put your phones down, get up from your beds and take a long walk outside. Do your physical health a favor!

Feature Image Credits: Northern Lights College

Shreya Agrawal

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PCOD : One Million Women, Every Year

By Khyati Sanger October 22, 2018

PCOD is a common disease that afflicts millions of women every year. Read on to find out more about it.

Poly-cystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a common disease that, as the name suggests, refers to the enlarging of the ovaries with multiple small cysts on the outer edge. These cysts are just premature eggs that could not be released by the ovary. There is no ‘one size fits all’ for PCOD. It causes different effects on different bodies. Having mentioned this, it is also noteworthy that PCOD is the most common cause of female infertility in the world today. In India, there are more than one million cases of PCOD detected every year and the condition is increasingly on the rise. It can be easily detected with an ultrasound test.

Every human body releases a healthy combination of male and female hormones depending on the sex of the person. However, an excess of androgen or male reproductive hormone secreted by the female bodies is the major cause of PCOD. If the female members of a family suffer with ‘type 2’ diabetes or PCOD, then the female offspring has a fifty percent greater chance of suffering from it.

Generally, if the body is resistant to insulin, it will lead to a high level of insulin left unused in the body which can be another cause of PCOD. It can be a result of genetic factors or overweight or both. Skipping meals or staying physically inactive can become a cause of PCOD as it not only spoils the immune system of the body but also fluctuates the weight of the body that has an effect on the insulin. High levels of mental or physical exertion are also major contributors to it.

There is no fixed duration for PCOD. It can last for years or even a lifetime. However, with proper medication, it can be cured within six to seven months as well.

The first major symptom of PCOD is the stopping of or irregularity or excessive flow of blood during menstruation.. Doctors say that if a woman has 8 or less menstrual cycles in a year, she should go for an ultrasound test for PCOD. Since ovulation is affected due to PCOD, women may run the risk of miscarriage or difficulty in conceiving naturally. This however does not imply that PCOD necessarily leads to infertility in all women.

People afflicted with PCOD often go through Hirsutism which refers to an excessive growth of facial and body hair due to increased levels of androgen. These hairs are thicker and darker than the usual hair and are often found on the chin, cheek, belly or breasts. However, they might also face hair fall or thinning of the scalp hair. PCOD is also responsible for causing an increase in the size of the oil producing glands, thus making the skin oily. This leads to a major issue of acne that is difficult to clear and may leave marks. PCOD may cause anxiety and depression in women not only due to an imbalance of the hormones but also because of the loss of self esteem due to such symptoms.

There are various kinds of treatment for PCOD. Therefore one can use allopathic, homeopathic and even Ayurvedic treatment for the same. The treatment may involve the consumption of contraceptive pills. Regular exercise may help the sufferers of PCOD manage their weight. Doing yoga is will ameliorate the disease with the additional benefit of bringing down the anxiety levels. A sleeping pattern is important because the body and mind needs enough rest during this time.

A balanced diet goes a long way. However, this means something different for people with PCOD. . To cure oneself of off it, one would be required to have more fruits and heavy vegetables. Kiwi is one fruit that works the best. Some foods need to be avoided, for example, sweets, rice, dairy products etc. If a person with PCOD smokes, she must try to quit, as smokers tend to have higher levels of androgen.

There are several associations trying to create awareness about PCOD, often using teal as the colour of their campaign. The one at the forefront is PCOS Awareness Association (PCOSAA). There is an urgent need of awareness regarding the same so that women become alert to the rising numbers and understand that they are not alone. They should be encouraged to talk about it freely without any taboo, so that a woman can be cured before it is too late.

Feature Image Credits : Medical News Today

Khyati Sanger

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Healthy Anxiety, Healthy Art

By DU Beat October 19, 2018

An account on how sometimes our fears and apprehensions are needed for young artists to push themselves to the limits and get even better than before.

“You think Picasso was happy? You think Hemingway was? Hendrix? They were miserable folks. No art worth a damn was ever created out of happiness. I can tell you that much.” -Ben Ryder, Kodachrome

Anxiety is an interesting term with several interpretations. Some might face anxiety casually, while talking to people, thinking of the future. Some might suffer from anxiety which would manifest in a clinical and cynical condition. And then there are those who might live in a fabricated world of suffering and anxiety while in reality, they have a calm and relaxed life.

Whatever be the case, anxiety has come to represent negative connotations with every passing day. But here’s the deal: anxiety is like Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb, bad but not that bad. A dose of healthy anxiety has become somewhat necessary to survive and thrive in this rapid, hustling, power-hungry world. Anxiety (till the point it doesn’t turn clinical) might lead to the birth of some fears and apprehensions in our heads but instead of just whining, we can channel it into something positive. Sam Smith wrote and performed his hit single Stay with me, followed by the heartbreak and pain when his lover left him. Alessia Cara wrote the chartbuster Here on experiencing fits of social anxiety at teenage parties. Channelling the negative into something positive, that’s the motto behind such great people. It is beautifully expressed in the film Rockstar, where a young Ranbir Kapoor is hogging on samosas in the Hindu College canteen and the canteen owner tells him how he won’t be able to create a perfect song if he does not experience pyaar (love) and a toota hua dil (broken heart).

The world seems perfect when we are kids. Then as we fall in that teenage ‘wimpy kid’ phase, things start getting clearer that the future would not be perfect like the cartoons, that we will never be calm and relaxed. Maybe, it is better that we don’t acquire a calm state of nirvana because then where will the drama be? Especially if you are an artist, you would need this drama in life to add that drama, that emotion, and intensity in whatever you create. And we live in an imperfectly perfect world and Utopia is a far cry from now. Hence, getting anxious on winning a ticket to Utopia will be a futile gesture. Getting eustress on figuring out how to live in the ‘now’ seems like a much better option. You might be the pride of your college music society, the top champ of your DebSoc but that healthy anxiety might keep nagging at the back of your head. If the going is good, embrace the glory but it’s fine to think about what next and have some anxiety on getting better. Even artists in the college circuit might get overconfident at times and would not even take any constructive criticism. Even if others call your magnum opus a piece of trash, accept that and work on it. Lose some sleep, get some headaches but still work on it. It is to be realised that a tinge of pain, a sense of sacrifice are necessary ingredients for cooking up the dish of perfection. Therefore, if you too feel scared and broken while facing anxiety, then face it, feel it, and embrace it. Who knows your next masterpiece would be a product of anxiety?

Feature Image Credits: We Hear It

Shaurya Singh Thapa
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Nutrition for Students: A Narrative of Neglected Health?

By Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak August 7, 2018

Courtesy of a hectic schedule, many students fail to prioritize their health and reduce it to a secondary concern. In recent times, we have witnessed disturbing trends of unhealthy Blood Pressure levels, Diabetes and stomach infections among students. Here, we explore some healthy foods that would help keep you up and active all through the drudgery and toiling that studying in the University of Delhi (DU) necessitates.

Milk, Yogurt and Eggs

Low-fat dairy products can be extremely beneficial. Rich in proteins, Vitamins B and D, these foods offer nutrition on a budget. Vitamin D is imperative for the healthy growth of your brain. With the flavored variants of the aforementioned products so easily accessible, the required tastes can be incorporated to your own liking. Eggs are again, rich in proteins. A couple of eggs daily will improve your stamina.

Oats

It being possibly the most nutritious breakfast option, Oats are whole grains digested slowly by storing the energy for a long time. Moreover, it also provides vitamin B and fiber as well as potassium, zinc, and vitamin E, all of which are substantial to maintain a healthy brain.

Dry Fruits and Nuts

All nuts offer you brain fuel in the form of protein and both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Almonds help in improving retention, as is widely known. Walnuts on the other hand, are proven to be helpful in enhancing deductive reasoning. But in the sweltering heat that Indian summers offer, stick to only a palmful of nuts since eating nuts in excess may cause some problems.

Dark Green Vegetables and Beans

Spinach (shoutout to Popeye(s) out there!), broccoli and sprouts provide you with folate, an important element that improves the functioning of the brain. Beans also, for that matter, offer you magnesium, Vitamin B, protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. Rich in antioxidants and omega-3s, kidney beans are highly recommended. So, bring on the Rajma–Chawal (a popular vegetarian dish consisting of kidney beans served with boiled rice).

Fruits

Finally, yet importantly, fruits are easily the best sources of all nutrients. It is no wonder then that the saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ has gained such wide currency. Fruits are low in fat, sodium, and calories and none have cholesterol. Fruits are sources of many essential nutrients that are under-consumed, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Also, due to the easy accessibility of fruits around the corner of your Paying Guest accommodation (PG) or in the markets, these become very feasible nutritionists. Bite into an apple or a banana or a pear and you are instantly charged. Come winters and the season of oranges, the citric kings can be the ideal basking-in-the-sun food.

The mounting assignments, notes, reasoning and writing will leave you exhausted! But the idea of prioritizing your health should never be secondary. Give yourself the nourishment you need and also, the proper sleep. Keep yourself active and exercise too. Go out for a walk or a run daily. Do not skip meals at all! Keep true to a balanced diet, replete with pulses and the like. Follow simple diet plans, and you will never be left swooning, at least not due to starvation!

Feature Image Credits: gethere.fitnessfirst

Kartik Chauhan

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We, The Body Positive Generation

By Prachi Mehra March 31, 2018

In the day and age we live in, we are constantly surrounded by the latest trends, new diets, and a million opinions. Here is a look at how the prevailing generation is trying to break these harmful sterotypes surrounding body image.

Beauty standards and stereotypes are constructed by the role models and brands we look upto. Unreasonable and unbelievable portfolios like skinny legs, no curves, and as clean as slate armpits are fed to the consumers. Pictures of celebrities on magazine covers are edited and altered on Photoshop so much so that they are not recognisable. Body shaming is rampant because we have been brought up with one notion of beauty. Tina Fey aptly defines that in her book Bossypants, as “every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits.”

We, as the millennials and influencers of this generation, must support beauty in all forms, shapes and sizes. Jennifer Lawrence as a successful Hollywood actor, has vouched for healthy body image all throughout her career. Celebrities like Mindy Kaling and Adele have openly shunned people who judge their worth according to their figures. These insecurities are not restricted to the women. Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and Robert Pattinson have come out with insecurities and troubles of maintaining a certain body weight dictated by the society. Even models like Tyra Banks, Ashley Graham, and singers like Demi Lovato, and Lorde also promote a positive body image. While judging modeling competitions, Ms. Banks and Ms. Graham advocate participants to eat well, and become fit in a healthy manner, to discourage the occurrence of eating disorders, that are actively associated with this profession.

Renowned personalities on Instagram, like Kelvin Daves, Morgan Mikenas, Keah Brown, Emily Bador, Aashna Bhagwani, Neelakshi Singh, and Rupi Kaur try to effectively empower people who are not confident in their own skins, through their messages and posts. In fact, Instagram pages like Eat the Cake, Proud2BMe, The Body Book, and Curve Inspire, shame everyday societal norms and stereotypes in comical ways to raise awareness.

Each life is important, each body is beautiful, and each soul is unique. We all deserve to be respected and loved the way we are. As someone who has suffered through an eating disorder, Demi Lovato remarks accurately, “I am not going to sacrifice my mental health to have a perfect body.”

Feature Image Credits: Radar Online

Prachi Mehra

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Keeping Up with the Body

By DU Beat November 19, 2017

Truthfully, I am one of those people who would actually go back home when the gym trainer says, “Go hard or go home.” So, any sort of advice from me regarding being healthy almost seems comedic. Yet, my first three months in college have made me realise, if anything, the essence of proper diet and exercise, thanks to the hours I have spent on gobbling masala maggi and honey-chilly potatoes. Through my horrible experience of food poisoning, I have realized the need to take control of my health through the following ways.

“Fruits are a collegiate’s best friend” ~ Marilyn Monroe

Just kidding. Marilyn Monroe didn’t actually say that. You caught me there, but fruits are definitely going to be your well-wishers throughout college life if not others. You can carry bananas, apples, oranges, and guavas to college easily, and if you have the time, you can create for yourself a fruit chaat. Moreover, you can locate the nearest fruit vendor to your college and grab your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. It might not seem exciting at first, but it really helps. Also, have you ever tried guavas with chili powder and chaat masala?

Running away from aerated drinks

I am sure your mom has told you how Coke and Pepsi are good pesticides and you have laughed it out. Well, it turns out our moms are right. These aerated drinks have so much sugar that we might just as well welcome diabetes with open arms. One can really save themselves by finding healthy substitutes. In this case, locate the nearest juice corner to your college and make it your regular hangout spot. You’ll not just get rid of sodas from your diet, but fresh fruit juice is healthy and on top of that, you get a good hangout spot to discuss the recent episode of Bigg Boss.

Healthy fast food? Is that possible?

While it is true, you’ll have to let go of Maggi, honey-chilli potatoes, and momos if you wish to remain healthy, but you can still savor your taste buds by scouting for potentially healthy fast foods. While 100% healthy is not guaranteed, you can minimise the intake of flour and bloating-inducing spices. Subway is a great option as it allows you to create your own subs. Moreover, rather than eating at fast food chains or eateries, you can opt for cafes and restaurants. Idlis at any South Indian restaurant or steamed rice at a Chinese restaurant are healthy, wholesome, and tasty options.

Emergency eating

While you’re trying to eat healthily, your friends will still meet at Maggi point and eat burgers at McDonalds. How do you help yourself? Well, if at certain times when you’re really craving the greasy fast food, you should opt for the healthier variant. Opt for a McVeggie instead of a McAloo Tikki. Opt for a vegetable Maggi instead of the masala one. It might not be dramatically healthy but it avoids the guilt to a certain extent.

CHIPS!

No, chips are not my next how-to-eat-healthy advice.

Chips are a regular snack for a collegiate and honestly, there is no one on this planet who would refuse them, if offered. But, obviously, they are your biggest enemy if you call them your staple diet. So, if you really love potatoes and wish to eat healthy, you must make french fries yourself. Not only are healthier than packaged chips but, they’ll also remind you of your mom back home. Also, try to develop a taste for banana chips, they can be a delicious snack.

Dry Fruits

No, sire, they are not just meant to be given as Diwali gifts. Dried Fruits are loaded with micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. They are highly nutritious and salted ones are no less than your favourite Haldiram’s namkeen. If you haven’t heard about them already, you should try salted ‘makhane’. They are just like popcorn.

Other than the above-mentioned directions, it is equally important to exercise. A 30-minute workout can do wonders for your body and your mental health too. Also, water! Drink lots of water. It’ll help eliminate all the toxins and wastes from your body. This list is not meant to be exhaustive and it is your creativity to create healthy meals and snacks for yourself, but the general guideline is to avoid packaged items and fast food to make your college life free from regular visits to the washroom between lectures.

Feature Image Credits: iTunes, Connect Colony, YouTube, Remote Traveller

Graphic by Varoon Tuteja for DU Beat

Varoon Tuteja

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