To support students' efforts, SWVL provided simple tips to help them succeed improving
their health for life. Many of these tips were part of the week long competition to encourage
trial. Student posts on Twitter clearly indicated that they realized that making these choices
were not as difficult as they had previously thought.
Drink up- Nearly 37% of people mistake dehydration for
hunger, and approximately 75% of Americans suffer from
chronic dehydration without even knowing it! It is recommended that you drink roughly eight glasses of water each
day. A good trick is to drink a glass of water before each
meal. This not only helps you determine if you’re actually hungry, it also helps fill you up.
Say no to pop- While pop may taste great, it actually
de hydrates you even more. As mentioned above, dehydration tricks your body into thinking its hungry when it really
isn’t. Try opting for flavored water, unsweetened tea or
fruit juice instead.
Slow down- It takes your brain nearly 20 minutes to
register that the stomach is full, so take your time when
you’re eating. This can be tricky to do, especially if you think
you’re starving. Try chewing each bite seven times each,
and taking a sip of water every five bites to help slow
you down.
Always choose the most filling option- Remember that not all calories are created equal. While two
meals may have the same amount of calories, one will most
likely keep you fuller for longer than the other. Foods that
are rich in fiber (greens) and lean protein (chicken, fish,
eggs) are usually your best bet. When in doubt, check the
label.