What is Healthy Living? Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Americans have poorer health as compared to people in other countries, a new report shows.

The problem known to all is now supposed to be resolved and resolved fast. Especially the students at colleges and universities mainly the teenagers; who get affected very fast and they carry on this baggage of bad health through their entire life.

Late night studies, parties, wrong eating habits, beers and so on; but all this do not contribute to a healthy lifestyle and work as factors to hamper your capabilities to further the education – career and a successful life. SchoolandUniversity experts have made a conscious effort towards contributing some useful takeaways which if not fully; still wil help you stay better than others. The tips are for all those who are on campus, off campus, staying in their own homes or the other way round.

What is healthy living?

Healthy living has to be a combination of:

• Food
• Health
• Nature
• Spirit
• Life
• Green
• Do good

Fitness Mantra

To withstand the negative effects of stress take it off on the tread mills and in the gym instead of the Pizzas and beers. Buddy or a roommate may help to boost your motivation level and also this would not allow both of you to stay away from the gym and workout for long. Nowadays most of the colleges and universities do have fitness equipments in their gymnasiums. Students are advised to work out at least 30 minutes a day. Walking to your class and dorms, brisk walking, using stairs instead of elevators – enhances the heart functioning and overall health.

Home cooked food

Do not miss to capitalize on the advantage of cooking food for you own self. When you prepare food for yourself…you very well know the “what” and “how much” should go in your food...that suits your health. Your control over the butter, cheese, oil, sugar and carbohydrates going in your meal will show its results very fast.

Avoiding poor diets and sedentary lifestyles - serious medical conditions and through some of the dietary guidelines for Americans and benefits of eating better can be enlisted as:

• Fresh fruits
• Non-fat milk
• Fresh vegetables
• Calcium-rich foods
• Limit alcohol
• Avoid tobacco
• Lower-calorie ingredients
• Eat a diet low in salt and fat

All are advised to have Better eating habits and take medicines as directed which will help you all in weight and stress management. Also make sure to meet your diet and activity goals to control your cholesterol - manage blood pressure - control diabetes - high blood pressure.

Balancing calories with activity to meet your daily calcium requirements will keep you hale and hearty as Healthy eating for a healthy weight is the best way of life.

Individuals can take turns in cooking or can also cook together with the roommates. It’s fun and it helps you to socialize and takes care of your health at the same time.

Go Green

Fruits and vegetables are of great help to avoid the in between meals; which are the cause of unhealthy diets. Students and specially those staying away from the home do not get this in appropriate quantity. 2 cups of fruits and 3 cups of veggies in a day is what the doctors suggest for kids in this age group. These items topped with cereals or strawberries in yogurt – bananas with raspberries would work as motivators.

Active Schedule

Individuals tend to eat more while they are watching TV as while doing so the connection between their body/stomach gets disturbed and so they are not able to make out whether they are satisfied or not. Students away from home in hostels or apartments do not follow their scheduled lunch or dinner time and often have food while watching TV. Instead they should make their own rules and follow them religiously. Staying away from the TV and an following an active schedule is what is going to help you; lifetime.

Sleep Well

Late nights; may it be studies or parties or anything else….it certainly eats up your sleep and when you do not get enough sleep that is a warning sign…budgeting your day and organizing your time is a good idea to stay happy as in that case one will not have to rely on caffeine and food to stay awake the whole day after a late night bash. Inadequate sleep will make you groggy the next day spoiling the spirit. Lack of sufficient sleep is a major contributor to cases of obesity and diabetes.

No Soda – Just Water

Apart from less sleep – SODA has been the main reason for cases of diabetes and obesity. Parents to students were actively warning them to not to drink soda; however in dorms or apartments there would be no one to watch you drinking more or any soda. Occasionally having it does not affect a lot – whereas daily consumption repeatedly in a day may certainly create complications; may it be regular soda or a diet soda. People addicted to diet soda are prone to over eating. Chemicals in the soda may over a period of time cause harm to your body. In short it has to be a NO to SODA and YES to WATER.

Killer Depression

Anxiety and depression have become an inevitable part of human life nowadays. To avoid these best friends of a unhealthy life one must; eat right and at right time, good sleep and enough sleep, no soda – no drugs – no alcohol, socialize at its best. Suicide and car accidents are the results of anxiety and depression. Living a healthy lifestyle is a must for all students for a successful life and career ahead……

General Medications – First AID

Apart from the aforesaid health tips still students are found to be suffering from the enlisted ailments. The time is critical for them as well; where it is their first time that they have been out of their house and shelter of their parents so long.

• Anxiety and depression 
• Gastroenteritis (the stomach flu) 
• Influenza 
• Injury from a car accident 
• Insomnia
• Overuse injury of the back, shoulder or other muscle or joint
• Sexually transmitted infection
• Sprained ankle 
• Upper respiratory infection (the common cold) 
• Urinary tract or bladder infection 

As a general remedy to a lot of health hazards for teens and college and university going students; enlisted vaccines are also available; but ensure to take it abiding the laws of the school or university you are attending and that too under strict medical inspection

• Hepatitis A vaccine series
• Hepatitis B vaccine series 
• HPV vaccine series (human papilloma virus, or cervical cancer vaccine) 
• Influenza vaccine 
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine series 
• Meningococcal vaccine* (menactra)
• Pneumococcal polysaccharid (PPV) vaccine 
• Polio vaccine series 
• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine 
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine series

Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunizations advises that this is for previously unvaccinated college freshmen living in dormitories.

Avoiding weight gain and concentrating on knowledge and skill gain should be the Motto. For this an active routine – avoiding TV and Soda would ensure that you stay happy and healthy.