University student needs help!

SkinnyLawyer87
SkinnyLawyer87 Posts: 7
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone!

I'm a full time Law student and so I have to study about 50 hours a week, and I have class 15 hours a week which means that a lot of the time I am sitting down in front of my computer and my books at school or at home.

I was wondering if you had any tips for trying to controle the urge to eat the whole time...I find that studying is just as bad as watching tv when it comes to snacking...I'm ALWAYS eating something!

I know a lot of you are going to say 'eat fruits and veggies instead of granola bars and popcorn', but it's just not that easy...and eventhough MOST of the time I do snack on fruits and veggies, they still have calories! So if I eat 3 apples while I'm studying, I will have consumed approximately 240 calories!

The key to maintaining your weight/lose weight is not just about WHAT you eat, but mostly about your calorie intake. What do you guys do to controle your craving while studying?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Replies

  • caramkoala
    caramkoala Posts: 303 Member
    Ice?
  • fridayjustleft04
    fridayjustleft04 Posts: 851 Member
    Chew some gum. Although I've read that if you eat an apple right before you study, it helps you remember more of what you read. I used to do it before tests and it worked for me.
  • grrrlface
    grrrlface Posts: 1,204 Member
    When I'm sat at a computer or studying I always keep a bottle of water next to me and I find sipping it helps keep my cravings. I'm exactly the same and as soon as I sit down to work I crave food!

    Don't know what else to suggest as the old me would just go and eat whatever I wanted! But the water really helps me now.

    I'd be interested to see what other people say! :)
  • jenna25
    jenna25 Posts: 213 Member
    I know how you feel, I am a college student and always feel the need to eat when i am studying, especially if I am stressed about school. But some things that work for me is drinking coffee with skim milk and truvia or chewing gum. good luck! :)
  • JJLive
    JJLive Posts: 88 Member
    As a full-time college student, I drink coffee during the AM after breakfast (something filling, oatmeal usually) which the caffeine suppresses hunger I suppose, then I drink lots of water and make sure I eat a filling lunch/dinner, which I always supplement with a salad! If you don't want to eat less, then work out more, cardio first thing when you wake up :-)
  • SkinnyLawyer87
    SkinnyLawyer87 Posts: 7
    Caramkoala: Ice is such a good idea! Never thought of that! Thanks!
    Fridayjustleft04: I've tried chewing gum, but the thing is once I start, I can't stop! I will litterally go through a full pack of gum within 45 minutes! It IS much better than eating junk tho! ;)
    Grrrlface: Water does fill me up... it might actually work...will try!


    Thanks :)
  • SkinnyLawyer87
    SkinnyLawyer87 Posts: 7
    JJLive: I do spinning for an hour every morning before school and I have breakfast once I get to school (oatmeal or cottage cheese with fruits)... maybe working out in the morning is what makes me more hungry?
  • iuangina
    iuangina Posts: 691 Member
    I lost nearly 100 lbs during my 2L/3L years. I lost 30 lbs while studying for the bar. Unfortunately, I managed to gain a bunch back so I'm having to start over :( . I would say that you need to make sure that you keep "healthy" snacks near you. I did not buy the junk that I knew I would eat when I was studying I also would take time on Sunday nights and create "snack packs". I would put serving sizes of raisins and almonds snack size bags. This way when I had the urge to eat something while studying I would grab one of those bags. It's really important not to eat out of the bag/box/etc. It's way to easy to eat the whole bag when you're studying if you don't pull out an individual portion. Gum is a great thing to help curb cravings. Really cold water works great also. I would also say that you need to workout as much as you can. I worked full-time and went to law school in the evenings, so my schedule was full but I still managed to put in 2 - 3 hours a day at the gym. I went between my job and class for an hour and then back again when I got out of class.
  • SkinnyLawyer87
    SkinnyLawyer87 Posts: 7
    Jenna25: don't you crave sweets when you drink coffee? I probably drink about 2-3 coffee a day, and try to stick to green tea and water for the rest of the day, but I feel like I crave sugar more when I am drinking coffee than any other drink! Haha
    I don't put anything in my coffee besides a bit of skim milk...maybe adding truvia would help? Will try :) Thanks!
  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    I'm in college as well, I feel your pain!
    I find that chewing gum while drinking something makes me feel full and keeps my mouth occupied.
  • ahavoc
    ahavoc Posts: 464 Member
    Never eat at your desk. Make an area where you are allowed to eat and eat there only. Break the habit of sitting down and eating while you study. It's just a bad habit. If you want to eat something, go to your eating area, and you may not read or watch tv while eating. Then return to your work. At most, drink water at your desk only. It'll take about a week, but you won't trigger eating by doing that.

    Oh, yeah, and get some 5 lb and 8 lb hand weights, and do arm curls while you study.
  • SkinnyLawyer87
    SkinnyLawyer87 Posts: 7
    Iuangina: Thanks for the suggestion about the snack pack! I will definelty try that! It's true that eating out of the box makes things worse!
    As for working out, I work out about 2 hours a day, 6 days/wk and I think that might be contributing to how hungry I am...Maybe my cal intake is too low for my level of activity?
  • kitkatkait
    kitkatkait Posts: 87 Member
    I go on water fasts when I have a ton of studying. I can focus more on my studies, and work faster because I'm not reaching for food every five minutes, and water fasting for a short period of time (like 18-24hrs) is actually really healthy, and I'm not even that hungry afterward, so there's no binge risk!
  • iuangina
    iuangina Posts: 691 Member
    You may need to up your calories if you are working out that much.
  • manth090
    manth090 Posts: 4
    I don't know if you are doing this already -- but the best way to avoid feeling hungry is to eat every 2-3 hours 6 meals a day. Instead of having 3 fulls meals a day that take up all your calories. Eat smaller meals 6 times a day. It helps from feeling hungry all the time. For example, sometimes I will order a 6' subway sandwich in which I will only eat half of it for lunch and wait about 2 hours before I eat the other half. Before I know it dinner is right around the corner and I'm ready to eat again. It's great once you get into the habit. Also you might not be eating enough given your activity level. You should recal your BMR. :)
  • lilacstars
    lilacstars Posts: 12
    I agree with everyone that said water. Some people prefer hot water because they feel fuller and some people prefer ice water because it's supposed to help you burn a tiny bit more calories (it may also help you stay awake too!). I prefer room temperature water just because it's easier. If you're on campus, room temperature water is usually the most accessible option. I've heard that lemon will help prevent you from having to go the the bathroom as much but I don't like lemon in my water so I haven't tried it. Tea is also a good option.

    I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but are you getting enough sleep? For me, sleep gets put off when it's midterms, papers, or finals time. It really increases my appetite, which sucks. Otherwise, definitely recalculate your BMR if you haven't done so already.
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    whiskey :P
  • zoukeira
    zoukeira Posts: 313 Member
    I chew gum too - the peppermint flavours are meant to help with hunger more than the fruity favours. I also like grapes :o)
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    As for working out, I work out about 2 hours a day, 6 days/wk and I think that might be contributing to how hungry I am...Maybe my cal intake is too low for my level of activity?
    You answered your own question. Two hours a day x 6 days a week is an awful lot unless you are a college athlete - which I do not think you are. Your body is sending you a clear message: "If you're going to be expending so much energy, replace back more than what you are currently giving me." If your goal is to reduce body fat, cut back your exercise to 30 minutes to an hour 3 to 5 days per week and eat about 250 to 375 calories below your actual maintenance.
  • brevislux
    brevislux Posts: 1,093 Member
    I drink a lot of tea / coffee, the warmth really helps and you feel satisfied.

    Also, drink plenty of water.
  • cma17
    cma17 Posts: 56 Member
    Hey

    I'm at uni to and can totally relate, I find that having a small bag of mixed nuts works for me as I can munch on it for 3-4 hours on and off until it is all gone.
    It really isn't that expensive I make a big batch of dark chocolate, mixed nuts and apricots fortnightly and divide in to small zip lock bags it works out to be about $1.5 NZD per bag.
    Yes high in cals but no worse than a $1 mix of lollies
  • asarwe
    asarwe Posts: 73 Member
    Carrot sticks are my go to when studying. And that is a lot of exercise you are doing...
  • hbunting86
    hbunting86 Posts: 952 Member
    Snap I'm doing my PhD so I literally LIVE in the office. At the moment I'm there from 9am until around 11pm most days so I have to plan like crazy so that I'm organised with food.

    If you do like to snack, and lets face it when you're drowning in text books and journal articles it DOES help I tend to do the following:

    If you're having an apple, chop it into bite size pieces and take with you in a container/zip lock bag.

    I break my meals up into smaller ones mainly. Like I'll take a salad for lunch and eat half at maybe 12 and then the other half at 2. I do the same with dinner - break it up into two sittings so that a) I don't get that 'God I'm so full I need to faceplant the desk' feeling and b) it relieves my boredom/is something to look forward to.

    Always have plenty of water to hand. Not the most exciting thing but hey. I make it a rule that for each coffee I have I have to drink 500ml water.

    Sometimes I just go and stretch my legs for ten minutes. A change of scenery helps!
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